Handbook for Research Students in the Social Sciences

This book discusses how to undertake a research degree, study and research skills and strategic approaches to research. It is intended to help research students, working full- or part-time in the social sciences, to be as effective as possible in the pursuit of their degrees.

Foreword Howard Newby -- Preface -- Notes on Contributors -- Chapter 1 Introduction /Graham Allan and Chris Skinner -- Part 1: The Nature of a Research Degree -- Chapter 2 Undertaking a Research Degree /Haydn Mathias and Tony Gale Chapter 3 Personal Views Students: -- 1) Nick Axford -- 2) Ann Buchanan -- 3) Stephanie Cadbury -- 4) Begona Arregui Supervisors -- 1) Jon Clark -- 2) Joan Orme -- Chapter 4 What are Examiners Looking For? /John H. Smith -- Part 2: Study Skills and the Management of Research -- Chapter 5 Organization and Management of Research Chris Colbourn Chapter 6 Using Libraries: Computer-based Methods Chris Parker -- Chapter 6 Using Libraries: Computer-based Methods /Chris Parker -- Chapter 7 Using Libraries: British Official Publications /Diana Marshallsay -- Chapter 8 Writing Skills / Peter Calvert -- Chapter 9 Presentation and Communication Skills /Haydn Mathias -- Chapter 10 Using Documentary Sources /Peter Calvert -- Chapter 11 Negotiating with Agencies /Jackie Powell and Robin Lovelock -- Chapter 12 Ethical Issues /Tony Rees -- Chapter 13 Equal Opportunities and Higher Degree Research /Joan Orme and Ian Forbes -- Part 3: Research Strategies in the Social Sciences -- Chapter 14 Introduction: Research Strategies and Decisions /Jon Clark and Gordon Causer -- Chapter 15 Qualitative Research /Graham Allan -- Chapter 16 Case Studies /Howard Rose -- Chapter 17 Qualitative Interviewing /Carol Jones -- Chapter 18 Quantitative Research /Chris Skinner -- Chapter 19 Survey Methods /Bryan Glastonbury and Jill MacKean -- Chapter 20 Secondary Analysis /Andy Hinde -- Chapter 21 Statistical Analysis /Tim Holt -- Index.

Graham Allan is Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Southampton. His main — teaching and research interests are informal social relations and domestic life. His publications include Family Life; Friendship: Developing a Sociological Perspective, and edited jointly with Graham Crowe, Home and Family. Chris Skinner is Senior Lecturer in Social Statistics at the University of Southampton. His main teaching and research interests include sample surveys and statistical theory. He was the first course tutor of the Faculty of Social Science Postgraduate Research Training Scheme at the university.