Description
Book SynopsisHow to do your Social Research Project or Dissertation provides a straight-talking, easy-to-navigate, and reassuring guide to support final-year social science undergraduates. Uniquely shaped by real social science undergraduates from a range of institutions, the book includes their advice to help you through with what can be a daunting, but rewarding stage of your degree. From the look and feel of the book, to the development of the chapter content and the advice it provides, students have been involved at every stage of the book''s development to ensure it is focused on what''s important to you.Expert advice from real supervisors across the subject disciplines in the ''Working with your supervisor'' feature also helps you to make the most of research supervision, and learn from the experience of real researchers in your chosen field. By providing anecdotes, words of wisdom, scenarios, or simply reminders, hints, and tips on how best to prepare for meetings, and communicate effectivel
Trade ReviewSomething I wish I had when I started my dissertation! I liked that the first chapter emphasized why social research is so important and why it is necessary - I found this quite motivating as it highlights something that is quite easy to forget when in the middle of the project. Furthermore, I like that each chapter has a specific topic and objective. Although some of the information is already in my module handbook, it is really useful to have a book like this that has everything in one place and makes it easy to find answers to any questions students might be having. Overall I think it will be a very helpful book to future students. * Vilde Bye Dale, Student of Modern History and Politics, University of Essex *
The tone is very positive and encouraging, which makes the project seem as a less daunting task - which is great! * Megan Robinson, Student of Criminological and Forensic Psychology, University of Bolton *
I wish I had this book ready at the start of my dissertation. I usually just rely on the module handbook, but I have realized from reading the first few chapters of this book that it has so much more useful and relevant advice to offer which would have been very useful during the writing of my bachelors dissertation. The style of writing is appropriate as it is relaxed, engaging, informative, and easy to understand for students who would like as little stress as possible during this time. * Ashley Neat, Student of International Relations, University of Groningen *
I think the book would make an excellent resource for any student in their final year project. The chapters that I have read are very helpful, and would certainly purchase and recommend to fellow students. I think the 'Finding your Way' pointers and 'What do I need to do?' lists are very helpful. From what I have read the book would be easy to dip in and out of. * Julie Keaveney, Student of Counselling with Mentoring, Huddersfield University *
This is very insightful and would aid me greatly in my research. If I would have had it from the beginning, then I think I would feel more organized, and ready to approach my dissertation more willingly; with much more of a positive and 'can-do' attitude, rather than that of dread and anxiety. * Ellie Fitzpatrick, Student of Sociology and Criminology, University of Salford *
This is a very promising book, and I only wish it were out now. The segments sent for review have already actually helped with my dissertation! * James Rivett, Student of Politics and International Relations, University of Kent *
This is extremely comprehensive and I should imagine is a fantastic resource for students embarking on social research. Complex ideas are expressed in straightforward and accessible ways and students are well guided through each stage of the research process. * Dr Anna Tarrant, Reader in Sociology, University of Lincoln *
This book is an excellent resource for undergraduate students in the social sciences who are about to start their first research project. The book introduces all the significant tips and potential pitfalls students are likely to encounter, and answers most questions I tend to be asked as supervisor. As such, it is also a very useful resource for supervisors - to direct students to, but also to give a good idea of what kind of advice might be useful to give at different stages of the process. * Dr Ingrid A. Medby, Senior Lecturer in Political Geography, Oxford Brookes University *
A down-to-earth, straightforward, reliable, accessible how-to guide which treats students as peers and demystifies the research process. * Dr Siobhan McAndrew, Lecturer in Sociology with Quantitative Research Methods, University of Bristol *
The layout, pace and language all contribute to demystifying the fear associated with such a large and daunting piece of work and the pedagogic features interspersed throughout the book act as encouraging and thought-provoking reminders that it is all going to be okay! * Dr Mark Holton, Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Plymouth *
I think the authors do a great job of conveying useful advice respectfully not condescendingly. * Dr Michael Pugh, Lecturer in Politics, University of the West of Scotland *
Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: The research process 3: Getting started 4: Developing a research idea 5: Conducting a literature search 6: Reviewing the literature 7: Building your project 8: Ethics 9: Writing a research proposal 10: Sampling: which and how many people do I need? 11: Collecting quantitative data 12: Collecting qualitative data 13: Analyzing quantitative data 14: Analyzing qualitative data 15: Working with documents 16: Evaluating your project 17: Writing up your research
