ABSTRACT

This introductory text combines study skills and research methods to provide students with an invaluable guide to the techniques, practical skills and methods of study that will enable them to achieve success in their academic courses and become effective 'students of society'. It covers key topics such as:

  • asking questions – how to formulate questions and think about essay and exam questions
  • looking for answers – the strengths and limitations of different information sources
  • collecting and organizing information – how to get the best from indexes, contents pages and electronic search engines
  • evaluating the authority, currency and validity of the information collected
  • communicating through essays, reports and oral presentations.

Throughout the book there is an emphasis on applying the problems and solutions presented, to ‘real world’ issues, including the use of examples and exercises immediately relevant to the undergraduate experience, everyday life and the contemporary concepts studied by the social scientist.

Coherent and up-to-date, this text will be an invaluable learning tool for students of any discipline involving the study of human beings and their societies.

part I|26 pages

Studying society

chapter Chapter 1|9 pages

Thinking about society

chapter Chapter 2|13 pages

Thinking about studying

part II|31 pages

Finding out about society

chapter Chapter 3|7 pages

Academic books and articles

chapter Chapter 4|2 pages

Official statistics and reports

chapter Chapter 5|7 pages

The mass media

chapter Chapter 6|5 pages

Personal experience

chapter Chapter 7|8 pages

The Internet

part III|48 pages

Using your sources

chapter Chapter 8|6 pages

Search strategies

chapter Chapter 9|14 pages

Search techniques

chapter Chapter 11|5 pages

Managing information

chapter Chapter 12|6 pages

Reading strategies

chapter Chapter 13|7 pages

Evaluating sources of information

part IV|41 pages

Researching society

chapter Chapter 14|9 pages

Quantitative research

chapter Chapter 15|9 pages

Qualitative research

chapter Chapter 16|8 pages

Linking theory and research

chapter Chapter 17|13 pages

Alternative theoretical approaches

part V|64 pages

Communicating your ideas

chapter Chapter 18|10 pages

Writing essays

chapter Chapter 19|6 pages

Writing dissertations

chapter Chapter 20|6 pages

Writing reports

chapter Chapter 21|4 pages

Oral presentations

chapter Chapter 22|14 pages

Communicating using tables and diagrams

chapter Chapter 23|7 pages

Communicating via the Internet

chapter Chapter 24|13 pages

Acknowledging the work of others