The Basics of Social Research

by Earl R. Babbie

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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sociology, Research Methods, Research, Reference, School, Textbooks

560 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Rachel Nicole Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

wonderful textbook and wonderful resource for my research 🔬

~xo
Rach

[Dominika Hvorková]

she's finishing her undergraduate studies in a few months, part 4

[Joseph Valoren · Rating 4 out of 5]

With respect to what it is unto itself, it’s quite good. This is one of the few textbooks I felt compelled to track down and keep after the course was over so that I can reference it in the future. Babbie explains in thorough detail not merely the what and how of social research, but the why, providing the necessary context for understanding why it is that social research methods have taken the form that they have. Anybody who’s read more than one textbook knows that they are not all created equal, and this text in particular stands out as being an especially effective and useful resource for the social researcher. Moreover, Babbie writes with a mercurial and sometimes rude wit, cracking the occasional jokes. The glossary, in particular, abounds with groaners of the kind somebody’s dad might tell. These are thrown in just frequently enough to keep readers on their toes, and Babbie includes bits of cheek here or there that suggest playful animosity with other factions of the academic community. Overall, I found these interjections to be charming. It’s strange to think of a textbook as being funny, much less intentionally. While your mileage may vary, I’m glad that if I had to read a dense tome about how to conduct social research, it was this one.

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic read for social researchers to refresh and learn new concepts. I could not recommend it enough.

[Susan Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

For educational/scientific purposes in order to conduct a professional research project and/or study that involves understanding all aspects of definitive research, subject matter, focus and purpose, for future dissertation, this is your first extremely basic, yet immensely informative book. There is no other reason to read a book like this.

[John C. Duff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice overview of social research methods, standards, and ethical implications. However, the philosophical underpinnings of method and epistemology are greatly underrepresented and, in some instances, poorly explained.

[Lori Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deep dive into understanding how research is performed of a society - from surveys, to evaluations, to quantitative and qualitative means to learn more. Insightful and engaging with great examples using real world data.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book talks about social research in brief strokes. It's fine as a primer on what is social research, but not great as a text for how to actually do social research.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very superficial overview. Definitely Basics (as stated in the title).

[Elke Schraa]

school shenanigans

[Maxe McRitchie]

THANK GOD IT'S OVER - PERUSALL CAN GO JUMP OFF A CLIFF

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informational and written in a voice that is not too dry. Reach section details parts of various teachers of social research ending with ethical dilemmas and values.

[Ta’Niyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

another one for methods. pretty informative but nothing mind blowing about it just very helpful when trying to understand the basics of methods and how to be a responsible researcher

[Debby Tiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for my Empirical Methods in Communication class, and while I learned more from the lectures than I did from the textbook, it was still a great resource. I particularly appreciated the author’s sense of humor.

There was a section titled “Short Items Are Best” that, true to the statement was very short. As a short girlie myself, I felt very validated.

There was a dad joke about paradigms being 20 cents.

There were references to other texts, such as Alice in Wonderland: In this respect, scientists are very much like Humpty Dumpty in Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass. “When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty tells Alice, “it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.”
“The question is,” Alice replies, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.” To which Humpty Dumpty responds, “The question is, which is to be master—that’s all.”

There were jokes about experiments in everyday life: “In defusing a bomb, we clip the red wire, observe whether the bomb explodes, clip the blue wire, and …”

And: “Rarely, if ever, do they physically injure the subjects (don’t do that, by the way).”

There were funny references to other parts of the textbook itself: “In Chapter 1. I introduced deductive and inductive theory with a promise that we would return to them later. It's later.”

I’m a huge fan of humor in textbooks. If you are too, and want to learn more about Communication, I recommend Looking Out, Looking In by Adler.

[Fariza · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is indeed a good reading materials for social research. Finished reading in 2 days because of good writing styles. Gave lots of ideas on constructing my own research. However, if you need a more detailed book on sampling and how to measure them you might need to search another book.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a textbook that should be used as such. The chapters are long, dense, and filled with examples. It's easy to locate an answer for your question, although it may not be the clearest answer and it may not be the most interesting answer.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful guidebook. I would say that it is instructive enough as a tool all of itself; if coupled with lecture, though, it seems like an abridged version could be used, and illustrations could be used in class to make readings shorter. All in all, useful, easy to follow, and not confusing.

[Jes · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a textbook, really not a bad read. Surprisingly funny and (SHOCKER) actually helpful!

[Sandie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A recommended uni book.

[Shhhhh Ahhhhh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good textbook. I'm in my last year of sociology undergrad taking Sociological Methods and this was a great resource.

[Lindsay]

Read for a Social Science Research Methods course.

[Jonathan]

None

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read about 400 pages of it for class. But overall, a helpful book.