The Basics of Social Research

by Earl R. Babbie

Book Overview

This thorough revision of Babbie's standard-setting text presents a succinct, straightforward introduction to the field of research methods as practiced by social scientists. Contemporary examples,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0495094684
• ISBN13: 9780495094685
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing Company
• Length: 550 Pages
• Weight: 1.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Doing social research, this book will help out in a big way!

When doing work on my doctorate one night, I had some major questions on terminology and research design for an assignment. While my course books failed in a big way, this book happen to be on my desk and helped out in a major way. Before taking my quantitative research course, I happen to meet an old and great professor of mine, Professor Charles Ziegler of the University of Louisville. He was my thesis chairperson, and told me this book is a solid one to have for the course. He was spot on. This books does a nice job of laying out terms, ideas, and processes in research. While more of a basic and intro type of book, the index is pretty good, and will help one understand how to do social research, both quantitative and qualitative. Good choice to have on the desk when doing those late night assignments.

A classic in the field

This is so clear and so interesting, it's impossible not to get caught up in it and easy to forget that it's a textbook.

Complete, Easy to Understand, and even...Entertaining

I really have to compliment Babbie on taking a potentially dry subject and making it fun. Not only is this book a very complete and easy to understand introduction to research methods, but it is also, at times, downright funny. I highly recommend this book. I gained a deeper understanding of research methods by reading The Basics of Social Research and Babbie's unique writing style made me want to learn more.

Easy to learn social research

I was dreading taking this required course in collge, "Methods of Social Research." This was the required text and it has made my life easier. I could actually understand the concepts. I highly recommend this text book.

Well-written, accessible, even entertaining

Once again, Babbie has set the standard for research methodstextbooks. Logically organized, the book progresses smoothly fromguidance in developing a scientific mindset to help with such "nuts and bolts" topics as how to design surveys and analyze data. Along the way, Babbie illustrates his points with examples drawn from actual social science research. Students will find the free, four-month Infotrac subscription helpful. The paperback binding is a good blend of affordability and durability.