Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 8th edition
Published by Pearson (June 26, 2019) © 2020
W Lawrence Neuman

Title overview

For courses in Research Methods, Experimental Methods and Research Methods in Sociology.

Explore research methods and methodology

Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches has introduced students to research methods for over 30 years. Author W. Lawrence Neuman explains a variety of social research approaches, emphasizing the benefits of hybrid approaches. While focusing on the techniques of research design, measurement and data analysis, the text also explains research methodology: the core principles that underlie the design and conduct of research.

The 8th Edition offers up-to-date coverage of recent advances in research techniques and methodological debates.

Hallmark features of this title

  • The author uses specific studies from the research literature to illustrate methodological concepts.
  • Truly balanced coverage of qualitative and quantitative methods helps students learn both the how and the way of conducting research.
  • The text discusses social and historical context of research. This helps students to recognize the ethnocentric perspectives, assumptions, values and beliefs of their own society and how those impact sociology research.

New and updated features of this title

  • NEW: Reflection boxes prompt students to consider specific issues, dilemmas or controversies in social research, tying the real-world examples to the text.
  • UPDATED: Coverage of recent advances in research techniques and methodological debates appears throughout the text.
  • UPDATED: 75% of the text's example studies have been replaced or updated, ensuring that only the most up-to-date information is provided.
  • UPDATED: Many of the text's chapter-opening example studies have been updated, including:
    • Chapter 10, which opens with a study that showed Americans are untruthful when they say they would support a woman for US President
    • Chapter 11, which opens with a study on the content of sexist internet jokes

Table of contents

PART I: FOUNDATIONS
1. Why Do Research?
2. What Are the Major Types of Social Research?
3. Theory and Research
4. The Meanings of Methodology
5. How to Review the Literature and Conduct Ethical Studies

PART II: PLANNING AND PREPARATION
6. Strategies of Research Design
7. Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement
8. Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling

PART III: QUANTITATIVE DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
9. Experimental Research
10. Survey Research
11. Nonreactive Research and Secondary Analysis
12. Analysis of Quantitative Data

PART IV: QUALITATIVE DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
13. Field Research and Focus Group Research
14. Historical-Comparative Research
15. Analysis of Qualitative Data
16. Writing the Research Report and the Politics of Social Research

Author bios

About our authors

W. Lawrence Neuman received his PhD in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for 34 years, he taught 16 sociology courses as well as classes in Asian Studies, Public Health, and Race and Ethnic Studies. He offered research methodology classes as a visiting professor at Benito Juárez Autonomous University (Mexico), Oberlin College (USA), Tianjin University (China), and Tohoku and Rikkyo Universities (Japan). He has published textbooks in Asian Studies, social research methodology and political sociology. His articles appeared in various academic journals, including, American Sociological Review, Criminal Justice Review, Critical Asian Studies, Law and Society Review, Social Problems, Social Science Japan Journal, Social Science Quarterly, Sociological Quarterly, Sociological Inquiry and Teaching Sociology.

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