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The Basics of Social Research, 7th Edition

Earl R. Babbie

  • Copyright 2017
  • {{checkPublicationMessage('Published', '2016-01-01T00:00:00+0000')}}
Starting At £45.00 See pricing and ISBN options
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The Basics of Social Research 7th Edition by Earl R. Babbie
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Overview

This thorough revision of Babbie's standard-setting text presents a succinct, straightforward introduction to the field of research methods as practiced by social scientists. Contemporary examples, such as terrorism, Alzheimer's disease, anti-gay prejudice and education, and the legalization of marijuana, introduce students to the "how-tos" and "whys" of social research methods. Updated with new data, expanded coverage of online research and other topics, and new Learning Objectives for each chapter to focus students' attention on important concepts, this edition continues to be authoritative yet student-friendly and engaging as it helps students connect the dots between the world of social research and the real world.

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Meet the Authors

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Earl R. Babbie

Dr. Earl Babbie is the Campbell Professor Emeritus in Behavioral Sciences at Chapman University in Southern California. He taught sociology at the University of Hawaii from 1968 through 1979 and took time off from teaching and research to write full time for eight years. He then joined the Chapman University faculty in 1987. Credited with defining research methods for the social sciences, Dr. Babbie has written several texts, including THE PRACTICE OF SOCIAL RESEARCH, as well as numerous research articles and monographs. For 25 years he has been active in the American Sociological Association, where he served on the executive committee. He is also a past president of the Pacific Sociological Association and the California Sociological Association. Dr. Babbie received his A.B. from Harvard and his doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley.

What's New

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  • Each chapter begins with a set of Learning Objectives that are revisited at the appropriate points in the chapter to reinforce students' grasp and retention of the material.
  • This edition is thoroughly updated with GSS (General Social Survey), census, and other data throughout the text.
  • Many new sections cover a variety of topics, including mixed mode study designs and a greatly expanded treatment of online surveys and unobtrusive online research.
  • A discussion of the Facebook research flap of 2012 illustrates some research ethics issues. There's also expanded coverage of the use of mobile devices for data input by subjects.
  • A box prepared by a graduate student working in foreign settings reveals some of the problems that can be faced in the field.

Features

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  • "How to Do It" boxes discuss hands-on topics related to research, including framing a hypothesis, identifying the unit of analysis, and using Google Scholar.
  • Each chapter has a "Proposing Social Research" section that connects chapter content to the task of developing a research proposal.
  • Thought-provoking "What Do You Think? Revisited" boxes at the end of each chapter explore the same topic as the chapter-opening "What Do You Think?" box.
  • "Applying Concepts in Everyday Life" features show students how a particular logical discussion or research procedure applies to the world around them.
  • "Issues and Insights" box highlights key research studies and findings.
  • Each chapter includes relevant Internet links so students can learn more on their own about topics covered in the chapter that are of particular interest to them.

Table of Contents

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Part I: AN INTRODUCTION TO INQUIRY.
1. Human Inquiry and Science.
2. Paradigms, Theory, and Research.
3. The Ethics and Politics of Social Research.
Part II: THE STRUCTURING OF INQUIRY: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE.
4. Research Design.
5. Conceptualization, Operationalization, and Measurement.
6. Indexes, Scales, and Typologies.
7. The Logic of Sampling.
Part III: MODES OF OBSERVATION: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE.
8. Experiments.
9. Survey Research.
10. Qualitative Field Research.
11. Unobtrusive Research.
12. Evaluation Research.
Part IV: ANALYSIS OF DATA: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE.
13. Qualitative Data Analysis.
14. Quantitative Data Analysis.
15. Reading and Writing Social Research.
Appendix A: Using the Library.
Appendix B: Random Numbers.
Appendix C: Distribution of Chi Square.
Appendix D: Normal Curve Areas.
Appendix E: Estimated Sampling Error.

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Each MindTap product offers the full, mobile-ready textbook combined with superior and proven learning tools at one affordable price. Students who purchase digital access can add a print option at any time when a print option is available for their course.

This Cengage solution can be seamlessly integrated into most Learning Management Systems (Blackboard, Brightspace by D2L, Canvas, Moodle, and more) but does require a different ISBN for access codes. Please work with your Cengage Learning Consultant to ensure the proper course set up and ordering information. For additional information, please visit the LMS Integration site.

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  • ISBN-10: 1337674664
  • ISBN-13: 9781337674669
  • RETAIL £45.00
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  • ISBN-10: 0357697944
  • ISBN-13: 9780357697948
  • RETAIL £53.00

  • ISBN-10: 1305503074
  • ISBN-13: 9781305503076
  • RETAIL £67.99
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Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

FOR STUDENTS

International MindTap Sociology Instant Access, Enhanced for Babbie’s The Basics of Social Research

ISBN: 9781337674669
International MindTap Sociology, Enhanced for Babbie’s The Basics of Social Research, 7th Edition, is the digital learning solution that powers students from memorization to mastery. It gives you complete control of your course--to provide engaging content, to challenge every individual, and to build their confidence. Empower students to accelerate their progress with MindTap. MindTap: Powered by You. MindTap gives you complete ownership of your content and learning experience. Customize the interactive syllabi, emphasize the most important topics and add your own material or notes in the ebook. All online text media materials accessible through this access code are available in EMEA, Latin America, Asia, and India only.