Norman Blaikie (RMIT University Melbourne and Mal Universiti Sains

Approaches to Social Enquiry

Advancing Knowledge

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Since its initial publication, this highly respected book has provided students with a much needed critical review of the major research paradigms in the social sciences and the logics or strategies of enquiry associated with them.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Blackwell Publishers
• 2 ed
• Seitenzahl: 288
• Erscheinungstermin: 25. Juli 2007
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 249mm x 172mm x 24mm
• Gewicht: 466g
• ISBN-13: 9780745634494
• ISBN-10: 0745634494
• Artikelnr.: 20898289

Autorenporträt

Norman Blaikie was Formerly Professor of Sociology at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and Universiti Sains, Malaysia.

Inhaltsangabe

List of Figures and Tables
Preface to the First Edition
Preface to the Second Edition
INTRODUCTION
1 MAJOR CHOICES IN SOCIAL ENQUIRY
Introduction
Research Problem
Research Questions
Research Strategies
Researcher's Stance
Research Paradigms
The Status of Knowledge
Research Paradigms and Research Strategies
Chapter Summary
Further Reading
2 MAJOR DILEMMAS IN SOCIAL ENQUIRY
Introduction
Science and Social Science
Major Dilemmas
The Postmodern Turn
Chapter Summary
Further Reading
3 ADVANCING KNOWLEDGE USING FOUR RESEARCH STRATEGIES
Introduction
Styles of Reasoning
The Inductive Research Strategy
The Deductive Research Strategy
Combining the Inductive and Deductive Strategies
The Abductive Research Strategy
Combining Retroductive and Abductive Strategies
Chapter Summary
Further Reading
4 CLASSICAL RESEARCH PARADIGMS
Introduction
Positivism
Critical Rationalism
Classical Hermeneutics
Interpretivism
Chapter Summary
Further Reading
5 CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH PARADIGMS
Introduction
Critical Theory
Ethnomethodology
Social Realism
Contemporary Hermeneutics
Structuration Theory
Feminism
Chapter Summary
Further Reading
6 REVIEW AND CRITIQUE OF THE RESEARCH PARADIGMS
Introduction
Research Paradigms Revisited: Ontology and Epistemology
Critique of the Research Paradigms
Review of Some Major Dilemmas
Association between Research Strategies Research Paradigms
Conclusion
Further Reading
POSTSCRIPT: THE COMPLEXITY TURN
Introduction
Origins
Characteristics of Complex Systems
Key Ideas
The Reality of the Complex
Complexity and Postmodernism
Complexity and Research
Conclusion
REFERENCES
Notes
Figures and Tables

Rezensionen

"Literature on the philosophy of social science often seems alooffrom the practical wrangling over theoretical and methodologicalissues directing social research. Books attempting to bridge thisgap are rare, so much credit is due Blaikie for providingone."

Sociological Research Online

"The repertoire of social research grows wider by the day.Substantive topics multiply, the technical apparatus mushrooms,paradigms proliferate and clash. And the potential for confusion inthe beginner's mind grows apace. Norman Blaikie'sApproaches to Social Enquiry has always been the mosttrustworthy student guide through the methodological quagmire, andthis new edition confirms his reputation as the supreme explicatorof social inquiry."

Ray Pawson, University of Leeds

"Norman Blaikie's book is an accessible, clear, and reliableintroduction for the social research student to the extraordinarilycomplex set of issues and decisions in which the practicingresearcher necessarily becomes entangled. This is an exceptionalbook, especially for its sympathetic presentation of positions andits wide range."

Stephen Turner, University of South Florida