Table Of ContentOpen University Press
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First published 1987
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Third edition published 1999
Fourth edition published 2005
Fifth edition published 2010
Sixth edition published 2014
First published in this seventh edition 2018
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ISBN-13: 978-0-335-24338-9
ISBN-10: 0-33-524339-X
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Dedicated to the memory of Judith Bell: 1929–2015
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Introduction
PART I Preparing the Ground
1 The Researcher and the Research Journey
2 Approaches to Research
3 Planning the Project
4 Ethics and Integrity in Research
5 Reading, Referencing and the Management of Information
6 Literature Searching
7 The Review of the Literature
PART II Selecting Methods of Data Collection
8 The Analysis of Documentary Evidence
9 Using the Internet and Social Media in Research
10 Designing and Administering Surveys
11 Planning and Conducting Interviews
12 Diaries, Logs, Critical Incidents, Blogs and Vlogs
13 Observation
PART III Interpreting the Evidence and Reporting the Findings
14 Interpreting the Evidence and Reporting the Findings
15 Writing the Report
Glossary
References
Index
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Introduction
PART I Preparing the Ground
1 The Researcher and the Research Journey
Introduction
The research journey
Navigating the maze
What it means to carry out research
What it means to be a researcher
The role of a researcher
Intentional roles of the researcher
Unintentional roles of the researcher
The responsibilities of the researcher
Self-reflection
The Researcher and the Research Journey Checklist
Further reading
2 Approaches to Research
Introduction
Styles of research
Advantages and disadvantages of quantitative and qualitative research methods
Action research and the role of practitioner researchers
Case study
Survey
Applied research
The experimental style
Ethnography and the ethnographic style of research
The grounded theory approach
Thematic analysis
Narrative inquiry and stories
Which approach?
Self-reflection
Laying the Groundwork Checklist
Further reading
3 Planning the Project
Introduction
Selecting a topic
Getting started
The purpose of the study
Hypotheses, objectives and researchable questions
Working title and the project outline
Timing
Supervision
Codes of practice for supervision
Keeping records of supervisory tutorials
The research experience
Writing as you go along and the research diary
Self-reflection
Planning the Project Checklist
Further reading
4 Ethics and Integrity in Research
Introduction
The difference between ethics and morals
Research contracts, codes of practice, protocols and the principle of informed consent
Ethics committees
Confidentiality and anonymity
Safeguarding confidentiality and anonymity if disseminating information online
Ethical research in practice, the problems of ‘inside’ research and personal codes of practice
Codes of ethical practice relating to intellectual ownership/property
Self-reflection
Ethics and Integrity in Research Checklist
Further reading
5 Reading, Referencing and the Management of Information
Introduction
Reading
Note-taking
Note-taking and guarding against plagiarism
Referencing
Creating, editing and storing references
Backing-up: better safe than sorry
Making a note of references
The management of information
A lot of fuss about nothing?
Self-reflection
Reading, Note-taking, Guarding against Plagiarism, Referencing and the Management of Information
Checklist
Further reading
6 Literature Searching
Introduction
Defining the parameters of your search (search limiters) and keywords
Focusing, refining and grouping your keywords
Digital or print?
Libraries, librarians – and books
Google Search
Google Books
Journals
Evaluating sources
Copyright and licensing restrictions when downloading items from the web
Self-reflection
The Top Ten Guide to Searching the Internet Checklist
Further reading
7 The Review of the Literature
Introduction
The ‘critical review’ of the literature
Theory and theoretical (or conceptual) frameworks
The ‘critical review’ in practice
Reviewing the reviews
Using quotations
Self-reflection
Review of the Literature Checklist
Further reading
PART II Selecting Methods of Data Collection
Introduction
Constraints
Reliability and validity
Thinking about computerized data analysis?
Not thinking about computerized data analysis?
A reminder!
Further reading
8 The Analysis of Documentary Evidence
Introduction
The nature of documentary evidence
Approaches to documents
The location of documents
The selection of documents
The critical analysis of documents
Fact or bias?
Self-reflection
The Analysis of Documentary Evidence Checklist
Further reading
9 Using the Internet and Social Media in Research
Introduction
Ethical considerations in the use of the Internet and social media for the collection of data
Social media, the research process and social digital tools
Using social media in research
Summary
Self-reflection
Using Social Media in Research Checklist
Further reading
10 Designing and Administering Surveys
Introduction
Exactly what do you need to find out?
Question types
Question wording
Appearance and layout
Drawing a sample
Piloting the survey
Distribution and return of surveys
The rights of respondents and your rights and responsibilities
Non-response
Analysis of data
Self-reflection and recap
Designing and Administering Surveys Checklist
Further reading
11 Planning and Conducting Interviews
Introduction
Advantages and disadvantages of the interview
The ethics of conducting interviews
Question wording
The interview schedule
Group interviews and focus groups
Recording interviews
Skype and Google Hangouts
Bias – the old enemy
Remember!
Self-reflection
Planning and Conducting Interviews Checklist
Further reading
12 Diaries, Logs, Critical Incidents, Blogs and Vlogs
Introduction
Representativeness
The diary-interview method
Piloting returns forms and instructions to participants
Five case studies
The ethics of diary use
Blogs and vlogs
Self-reflection
Diaries, Logs, Critical Incidents, Blogs and Vlogs Checklist
Further reading
13 Observation
Introduction
Unstructured observation
Participant observation
Structured observation and keeping records
Recording behaviour
Content
A few (more) words of warning
After the event
Self-reflection
Observation Checklist
Further reading
PART III Interpreting the Evidence and Reporting the Findings
14 Interpreting the Evidence and Reporting the Findings
Introduction
List questions
Quantity and category questions
Measures of central tendency
Coding
Grids
