Research Methods

Research Methods: The Basics is an accessible, user-friendly introduction to the different aspects of research theory, methods and practice. This fourth edition provides new sections on artificial intelligence and comprehensive updates to the accompanying online resources to help support use of the book in the classroom. As such, it will continue to be an essential resource for students and practitioners in a wide range of disciplines including the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. It is structured in two parts; the first covers the nature of knowledge and the reasons for doing research, and the second explains the specific methods used to conduct an effective research project and how to propose, plan, carry out and write up a research project. This book covers - Reasons for doing a research project - Structuring and planning a research project - The ethical issues involved in research - Different types of data and how they are measured - Collecting primary and secondary data - Analysing qualitative and quantitative data - Mixed methods and interdisciplinary research - Devising a research proposal and writing up the research - Motivation and quality of work Complete with student learning tasks at the end of each section, a glossary of key terms and guides to further reading, Research Methods: The Basics is the essential text for anyone coming to research for the first time. New to this edition are sections on the use of artificial intelligence in research and a new and improved set of digital resources. In addition to checklists for testing knowledge and useful PowerPoint presentations for lecturers, users can also now access case studies, a range of practical examples relevant to various disciplines, class discussion questions, questions for student self-learning, study tips and practice quizzes. To access the online material, please visit: www.routledge.com/cw/walliman.

Nicholas Walliman is Associate Lecturer in the School of Architecture at Oxford Brookes University, UK.

Introduction Part I. Research theory and practice 1. Research basics 2. Research theory 3. Structuring the research project 4. Research ethics 5. Finding and reviewing the literature Part II. The main research methods 6. The nature of data 7. Collecting and analysing secondary data: Modern, historical and archival 8. Collecting primary data 9. Quantitative data analysis 10. Qualitative data analysis 11. Mixed-methods and interdisciplinary research 12. Writing the proposal and planning the research project 13. Writing up the research