This critical introduction to the principles of social and educational research draws together a key set of readings which offers a comprehensive approach to the wide range of values and practice in social research. Issues explored include: the relationship between quantitative and qualitative methods; positivism and the role of the natural sciences as a model for social research; the purposes of research - knowledge or the transformation of the social world; issues of race, gender and power in social research; the politics and ethics of data collection; and the validity and relevance of social research.

Social Research is a set book for The Open University course DEH313 Principles of Social and Educational Research.

About the Author
Martyn Hammersley is an emeritus professor of educational and social research at The Open University, UK. He has carried out research in the sociology of education and the sociology of the media. However, much of his work has been concerned with the methodological issues surrounding social enquiry. He has written several books including (with Paul Atkinson) Ethnography: Principles in Practice (fourth edition, Routledge, 2019), The Dilemma of Qualitative Method (Routledge, 1989), The Politics of Social Research (SAGE, 1995), Reading Ethnographic Research (second edition, Longman, 1997), Taking Sides in Social Research (Routledge, 2000), Educational Research, Policymaking and Practice, (London, Paul Chapman/SAGE, 2002), Questioning Qualitative Inquiry (SAGE, 2008), Methodology Who Needs It? (SAGE, 2011), The Myth of Research-Based Policy and Practice (SAGE, 2013), The Limits of Social Science (SAGE, 2014), and The Concept of Culture (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019). Website: http://martynhammersley.wordpress.com/

Reviews
`An important guide to current issues and debates in social research. Martyn Hammersley has assembled a useful range of source material for the beginning student' - Robert Burgess, University of Warwick

`All the readings are clear and incisive and have been well chosen as exemplars of a particular tradition or type of critique. Since they can be studied individually as well as collectively, this book will be invaluable for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate methods courses' - Journal of Social Policy

`Between them, the papers included in this book cover an impressive range of issues central to social research. The editor has succeeded in pulling together papers from a wide range of sources... and making them available in an easily-accessible form. The book could serve as a useful introduction to the field for undergraduate students, or as eye-opening background reading for research practitioners who have not had formal training in the philosophy of social investigation.' - ESRC Data Archive Bulletin

`The book accomplishes its purpose of illuminating the 'profound differences in approach' and should help the users of social research as well as practitioners.' - Educational Research

Book Information
ISBN 9780803988057
Author Martyn Hammersley
Format Paperback
Page Count 256
Imprint Sage Publications Ltd
Publisher Sage Publications Ltd
Weight(grams) 560g