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.
Author(s): Dave King, Karen Evans
Year: 2006
Language: English
Pages: 232
Book Cover......Page 1
Half-Title......Page 2
Title......Page 4
Copyright......Page 5
Contents......Page 6
List of Figures......Page 8
List of Tables......Page 9
Forword......Page 10
Part I: Studying Society......Page 12
1. Thinking about Society......Page 16
2. Thinking about Studying......Page 25
Part II: Finding Out about Society......Page 38
3. Academic Books and Articles......Page 40
4. Official Statistics and Reports......Page 47
5. The Mass Media......Page 49
6. Personal Experience......Page 56
7. The Internet......Page 61
Part III: Using Your Sources......Page 70
8. Search Strategies......Page 72
9. Search Techniques......Page 78
10. Getting the Most Out of Your Library and the Internet......Page 92
11. Managing Information......Page 100
12. Reading Strategies......Page 105
13. Evaluating Sources of Information......Page 111
Part IV: Researching Society......Page 118
14. Quantitative Research......Page 120
15. Qualitative Research......Page 129
16. Linking Theory and Research......Page 138
17. Alternative Theoretical Approaches......Page 146
Part V: Communicating Your Ideas......Page 160
18. Writing Essays......Page 164
19. Writing Dissertations......Page 174
20. Writing Reports......Page 180
21. Oral Presentations......Page 186
22. Communicating Using Tables and Diagrams......Page 190
23. Communicating Via the Internet......Page 204
24. Acknowledging the Work of Others......Page 211
Afterthoughts......Page 224
Bibliography......Page 226
Index......Page 230
