The good research guide for small-scale social research projects

Denscombe, M
2010
The good research guide for small-scale social research projects
4th ed.
Maidenhead: Open University Press / McGraw Hill
978-0-335-24138-5



Suggested reading
Chapter 12 Documents p216-234
Chapter 14 Qualitative Data p272-306

Introduction to Research Methods. A practical guide for anyone undertaking a research project

Dawson, C
2009
Introduction to Research Methods. A practical guide for anyone undertaking a research project
4th ed.
Glasgow: Bell & Bain Ltd
978-1-84528-367-4



Suggester reading
Chapter 3 How to choose your research methods p 27-39
Chapter 5 How to choose your participants p48-56

How to conduct self-administered mail surveys

Bourque, L. B. & Fielder, E. P.
1995
How to conduct self-administered mail surveys
Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications
0-8039-7388-8



Well worth reading if you have a questionnaire-based data collection tool, check lists are recommended

Advanced Research Methods in the Built Environment

Knight A & Ruddock, L
2008
Advanced Research Methods in the Built Environment
Chichester: J Wiley & Sons Ltd
978-1-4051-6110-7



A series of chapters written by different researchers covering research practice. Possibly more suited for postgraduate researchers needing more in-depth coverage of the methods available.

Some suggested reading
Managing the Thesis (Alan Griffith & Paul Watson) p183 to 192
and
Getting your research published in refereed journals (Will Hughes) p193-206

HINTS; Thinking about your topic - Subject Selection

In most cases, researchers must confront the issue of subject selection, although in some where a title is given the emphasis will be on which aspects within that area should be pursued.

Selection of a dissertation research project will usually be confined within the boundaries of particular disciplines even then the possibilities are vast.

It is usally a good idea to get into the mindset that your research will be fluid and potentially change over the time you spend completing it. Therefore your initial subject selection might also change over time.

As your research progresses you may find yourself constantly focusing and refining your ideas. How much this happens will depend on the nature of the discipline and the appropriate research methods.

You might find it handy to narrow your topic area down by constructing a set of lists:

List 1: Topics of interest
List 2: Personal strengths and weaknesses
List 3: Topics of current interest in practice
List 4: Access to data
List 5: Research limitations.

Ultimately you have to make the call on something that will keep you interested for the duration of the project, will hopefully play to your strengths and have suitable access to current materials!

Hints: Thinking about a topic for your dissertation

This can be one of the most difficult tasks for any researcher, to select a topic and then to focus and refine that subject area to produce a viable proposal.

One of the common mistakes is to set targets which are just too ambitious and not achievable in terms of either the extent of the research or in the level of information which the researcher hopes to uncover and analyse.

Most new researchers are surprised by how little scope can be achieved by a research project in order to get enough depth of research and rigour of investigation of the topic. Clear and early restriction of the study will ensure adequate depth.

You should also consider at an early stage the resources available to you.
These include the number of hours you are willing to put aside each day / week / month to do your studies.

Research is not an easy option. Research is hard work but often the most rewarding form of study. The satisfaction and sense of achievement derived from a project completed well can be enormous; the efforts are well worthwhile and provide the researchers with expertise and insights for future work.

Researching and writing a dissertation : a guidebook for business students

FISHER, Colin et al
2010
Researching and writing a dissertation : a guidebook for business students
3rd ed.
Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Limited
978-0-273-72343-1



RECOMMENDED CHAPTERS
FISHER, Colin et al 2010 Researching and writing a dissertation : a guidebook for business students 3rd ed. Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Limited

Chapter 2: Writing a critical literature review p91-132
also
Chapter 0: Introduction p1-29(especially 'Jargon, 'isms' and 'ologies')

Researching and writing a dissertation : a guidebook for business students

FISHER, Colin et al
2007
Researching and writing a dissertation : a guidebook for business students
2nd ed.
Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Limited
0-273-71007-3

Link is to the 2010 version


Suggested reading (2007 version)
Chapter 2: Writing a critical literature review p78-117
Chapter 0: Introduction p1-27
other chapters eg "Jargon, 'isms' and 'ologies'" 13-27

Writing Your Dissertation. How to plan, prepare and present sucessful work

SWETNAM, Derek
2001
Writing Your Dissertation. How to plan, prepare and present sucessful work
3rd ed.
Oxford: How To Books Ltd
1-85703-662-X



Chapter 3: Getting started p34-50
Chapter 4: Techniques p 51-63

Real world research

ROBSON, C.
2011
Real world research.
3rd ed.
Hoboken, N.J Wiley ; Chichester :
978-1-405-18240-9




Suggested reading
Chapter 10: Surveys and questionnaires p 236-277
Chapter 11: Interviews and focus groups p278-301

Questionnaire design, interviewing and attitude measurement

OPPENHEIM, A N.
1992
Questionnaire design, interviewing and attitude measurement
(New ed.)
London: Continuum

Reading and understanding research

LOCKE, L. F., SILVERMAN, S.J & SPIRDUSO, W.W.
2010
Reading and understanding research.
3rd ed
Los Angeles, Calif; London : Sage
978-1-4129-7574-2



Suggested Reading
Chapter 2: When to believe what you read p 23-52
Chapter 3: How to select and read research reports p53-70

Statistics explained: a guide for social science students

HINTON, P. R.
1995.
Statistics explained: a guide for social science students.
Routledge

Research methods for managers

GILL, J, JOHNSON, P & CLARK, M.
2010.
Research methods for managers
4th ed.
Los Angeles, [Calif.]; London: SAGE
978-1-84787-094-0



suggested reading
Chapter 8: Philosophical disputes and management research p187-213
Chapter 9: Evaluating management research p214-239
Glossary also very useful (p240-242)

Research methods for construction

FELLOWS, R and LIU. A.
2008
Research methods for construction
3rd ed.
Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell
978-1-4051-7790-0



Suggested reading
Chapter 7: Data Analysis p186-245
Chapter 9: Results, inferences and conclusions p263-280

Quantitative data analysis for social scientists

BRYMAN, A. & CRAMER, D.
1994.
Quantitative data analysis for social scientists
Revised edition.
Routledge

Doing your research project: a guide for first-time researchers in education, health and social science

BELL, J.
2010
Doing your research project: a guide for first-time researchers in education, health and social science
5th ed.
Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Open University Press
978-033523582-7



Suggested Reading
Chapter 1 Approaches to research p 5-26
Chapter 10 Diaries, logs and critical incidents p177-190
Several others chapters of relevance in this book (see chapters 2-9)

The student's guide to preparing dissertations and theses

ALLISON, B & RACE, P.
2004.
The student's guide to preparing dissertations and theses 2nd ed
London: Routledge Falmer
0-415-33486-1



this is a very slim volume - so I would suggest you read all of it (pg 1-93)