Method and Project Writing: An Introduction

Description

Chapter 1 · Introduction 1.1. What is social science? 1.2. What is method? 1.3. What is the scientific part of social science? 1.4. What does it mean to be good at method? 1.5. The key points of the book Chapter 2 · Planning 2.1. Linear or circular process? 2.2. Project plan Chapter 3 · Get off to a good start – and finish on time 3.1. Start writing early in the process 3.2. Obtain a good structure with mind maps 3.3. Use IT tools for brainstorming, structuring and problem statement 3.4. Always read with a purpose 3.5. How to best read specialist literature? 3.6. If you are working in groups Chapter 4 · Use of supervisor 4.1. What is constructive supervision? 4.2. When should you first consult your supervisor? 4.3. Supervision after the first meeting 4.4. Is it all right to send emails to your supervisor? 4.5. Should the supervisor approve (parts of) your project before you hand it in? 4.6. What kind of texts are good drafts for supervision? 4.7. Always enclose a letter Chapter 5 · Theory of knowledge (in brief) 5.1. Doubt should form the basis of all knowledge 5.2. Two interpretations of the relation between science and reality 5.3. Instruments’ reliance on theories 5.4. Explanations 5.5. Is science the same thing for all people? Chapter 6 · Data collection: quantitative and qualitative methods 6.1. Special characteristic features of quantitative methods 6.2. Special characteristic features of qualitative methods 6.3. What determines the selection of method? 6.4. The combination of qualitative and quantitative methods 6.5. Could you settle for either qualitative or quantitative methods? Chapter 7 · Research design 7.1. Experiments 7.2. The case study 7.3. Quantitative survey 7.4. Action research 7.5. Comparison Chapter 8 · Questioning techniques 8.1. The qualitative interview 8.2. Focus group and group interview 8.3. Telephone interviews Chapter 9 · Questionnaire 9.1. The questions 9.2. Response categories 9.3. Accompanying letter and instructions Chapter 10 · Observation 10.1. The environment of the observation 10.2. The role/status of the observer 10.3. Level of activity 10.4. Level of information 10.5. The nature of the collected data Chapter 11 · Literature search 11.1. Literature search methods 11.2. Describe your literature search strategies Chapter 12 · Documentary source material 12.1. Quality criteria Chapter 13 · What is theory? 13.1. Concepts are the key building blocks of theories 13.2. Exercise care when combining different theories 13.3. Defining concepts 13.4. How you can use theory in your project 13.5. Too much or too little theory in the project? Chapter 14 · Problem statement 14.1. What is a good topic? 14.2. The problem statement as a rudder 14.3. Two examples of problem statements – from first draft to final version 14.4. The problem statement as a description of contents Chapter 15 · Operationalization 15.1. Example of operationalization process 15.2. Be careful in the operationalization Chapter 16 · Sampling of respondents 16.1. Random sampling 16.2. Non-random sampling 16.3. How large should the sample be? 16.4. What about the people who do not respond? Chapter 17 · Access to sensitive data 17.1. What is sensitive data? 17.2. Collection and handling of sensitive data Chapter 18 · Qualitative content analysis 18.1. Recording and transcription 18.2. Coding, recontextualisation and quantification Chapter 19 · Quantitative data processing 19.1. Classification 19.2. Levels of measurement 19.3. Data processing in data matrices 19.4. Causal explanations Chapter 20 · The quality of the project 20.1. Validity – relevance and effect 20.2. Reliability Chapter 21 · The social scientific project 21.1. The toffee model 21.2. Building blocks at the project start 21.3. Building blocks at the project end 21.4. Building blocks in the middle of the project 21.5. What bonds the building blocks together 21.6. Brief remarks on formal requirements Concluding Remarks Bibliography Index