Practical Social Research : Project Work in the Community

Practical Social Research is a working guide to doing 'real life' research in the local community. Based on the authors' own practice, it proposes a partnership between students and community organisations that both meets community needs and develops students' research skills. The book provides detailed coverage of the 'scientific', ethnographic and feminist traditions in social research data collection and analysis, together with information on how to go about negotiating viable projects, developing personal transferable skills, and presenting and assessing reports. Front Matter....Pages i-xvi Introduction and Acknowledgements....Pages 1-5 Front Matter....Pages 7-7 Philosophy and Practice of Applied Social Research....Pages 9-27 Issues in Methodology....Pages 28-55 Negotiating an Agreement....Pages 56-75 From Agreement to Research Brief....Pages 76-94 Front Matter....Pages 95-95 Producing Data: the Questionnaire....Pages 97-128 Data Analysis: the Questionnaire....Pages 129-155 Recording Data: Ethnography....Pages 156-188 Analysing Ethnographic Data....Pages 189-211 Documentary and Other Sources....Pages 212-227 Front Matter....Pages 229-229 Presenting the Client Report....Pages 231-256 Presenting the Methodology or Reflexive Report....Pages 257-278 Back Matter....Pages 279-305 1. Philosophy And Practice Of Applied Social Research -- 2. Issues In Methodology -- 3. Negotiating An Agreement -- 4. From Agreement To Research Brief -- 5. Producing Data: The Questionnaire -- 6. Data Analysis: The Questionnaire -- 7. Recording Data: Ethnography -- 8. Analysing Ethnographic Data -- 9. Documentary And Other Sources -- 10. Presenting The Client Report -- 11. Presenting The Methodology Or Reflexive Report -- Appendix A: Statement Of Ethical Practice -- Appendix B: Agreement For Research -- Appendix C: Oral History Consent Form. David Hall And Irene Hall. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 288-296) And Index.