Social Research: Philosophy, Politics and Practice (Published in association with The Open University) - Tapa dura

`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

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.