Introduction to research methods : [electronic resource] a practical guide for anyone undertaking a research project / Catherine Dawson.

1 How to Define Your Project 1 -- Asking questions 1 -- Thinking about your project 4 -- Understanding the five 'Ws' 5 -- Summarising your research 8 -- Summary 13 -- Useful websites 13 -- 2 How to Decide Upon a Methodology 14 -- Recognising qualitative and quantitative research 14 -- Understanding the methodological debate 15 -- Choosing a methodology 16 -- Summary 23 -- Further reading 23 -- 3 How to Choose Your Research Methods 27 -- Using interviews 27 -- Conducting focus groups 29 -- Using questionnaires 30 -- Undertaking participant observation 32 -- Choosing your methods 33 -- Summary 37 -- Further reading 38 -- 4 How to Conduct Background Research 40 -- Conducting primary and secondary research 40 -- Using websites 42 -- Using interlibrary loans 44 -- Keeping records 44 -- Summary 46 -- Further reading 47 -- 5 How to Choose Your Participants 48 -- Understanding sampling techniques 48 -- Choosing your sample size 54 -- Summary 55 -- Further reading 56 -- 6 How to Prepare a Research Proposal 57 -- Understanding the format 57 -- The contents of a proposal 58 -- What makes a good proposal? 63 -- Reasons why research proposals fail 64 -- Summary 65 -- Further reading 65 -- 7 How to Conduct Interviews 66 -- Methods of recording 66 -- Developing an interview schedule 70 -- Establishing rapport 73 -- Asking questions and probing for information 74 -- Completing the interview 76 -- Summary 77 -- Further reading 78 -- 8 How to Conduct Focus Groups 79 -- The role of the moderator 79 -- Recording equipment 81 -- Choosing a venue 84 -- Recruiting your participants 85 -- Summary 87 -- Further reading 88 -- 9 How to Construct Questionnaires 89 -- Deciding which questionnaire to use 89 -- Wording and structure of questions 91 -- Length and ordering of questions 96 -- Piloting the questionnaire 98 -- Obtaining a high response 100 -- Summary 102 -- Further reading 103 -- 10 How to Carry Out Participant Observation 105 -- Places of study 105 -- Gaining access 106 -- Acting ethically 107 -- Collecting and analysing information 109 -- Withdrawing from the field 111 -- Summary 112 -- Further reading 113 -- 11 How to Analyse Your Data 114 -- Deciding which approach to use 114 -- Analysing qualitative data 115 -- Analysing quantitative data 125 -- Measuring data 130 -- Summary 132 -- Further reading 133 -- 12 How to Report Your Findings 134 -- Writing reports 134 -- Structuring reports 137 -- Writing journal articles 143 -- Producing oral presentations 146 -- Summary 146 -- Further reading 148 -- 13 How to be an Ethical Researcher 149 -- Treating participants with respect 149 -- Recognising overt and covert research 150 -- Producing a code of ethics 153 -- Summary 157 -- Further reading 158.

For anyone who has to conduct a research project and does not have time to wade through complicated research textbooks, this up-to-date handbook explains technical jargon in a concise way and includes practical examples to illustrate the issues raised.