The Fundamentals of Social Research

This text links the complementary processes of research design and statistical analysis in assessing causal relationships in the social sciences.

Paul M. Kellstedt (Author), Guy D. Whitten (Author), Steven A. Tuch (Author)

9781107569164, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 8 September 2022

308 pages
25.4 x 17.8 x 1.5 cm, 0.68 kg

'This valuable textbook is unique for two reasons: first, it seamlessly integrates theory, research design, and data analysis, providing students with the foundation required to develop empirically grounded research projects that can make theoretical progress in social science. Second, it is accessible and engaging, drawing students in and showing them how stimulating and exciting social research can be.' Michael Hughes, Virginia Tech

This textbook provides an introduction to the scientific study of sociology and other social sciences. It offers the basic tools necessary for readers to become both critical consumers and beginning producers of scientific research on society. The authors present an integrated approach to research design and empirical analyses in which researchers can develop and test causal theories. They use examples from social science research that students will find engaging and inspiring and that will help them to understand key concepts. The book makes technical materials accessible to students who might otherwise be intimidated by mathematical examples. This new text, with the addition of sociologist Steven A. Tuch to the author team, follows the successful format, approach, and pedagogical features in Paul M. Kellstedt and Guy D. Whitten's bestselling text, The Fundamentals of Political Science Research, now in its third edition. Workbooks in Stata, SPSS, and R, three of the most popular statistical analysis programs, are available as separate purchases to accompany this textbook, enabling students to connect the lessons of this book to hands-on applications of the software.

List of Figures
List of Tables
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. The Scientific Study of Society
2. The Art of Theory Building
3. Evaluating Causal Relationships
4. Research Design
5. Survey Research
6. Measuring Concepts of Interest
7. Getting to Know Your Data
8. Probability and Statistical Inference
9. Bivariate Hypothesis Testing
10. Two-Variable Regression Models
11. Multiple Regression
12. Putting it all Together to Produce Effective Research
Appendix A. Critical Values of Chi-square
Appendix B. Critical Values of t
Appendix C. The ? Link Function for Binomial Logit Models
Appendix D. The ? Link Function for Binomial Probit Models
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Probability & statistics [PBT], Social research & statistics [JHBC], Social theory [JHBA], Social forecasting, future studies [JFFR], Research methods: general [GPS]