Roger Gomm

This title offers an exploration of case-focused methods as a means of bridging the quantitative-qualitative divide and the key methodological issues. This book challenges the divide between qualitative and quantitative approaches that is now institutionalized within social science. Rather than suggesting the 'mixing' of methods, "Challenging the Qualitative-Quantitative Divide" provides a thorough interrogation of the arguments and practices characteristic of both sides of the divide, focusing on how well they address the common problems that all social research faces, particularly as regards causal analysis. The authors identify some fundamental weaknesses in both quantitative and qualitative approaches, and explore whether case-focused analysis - for instance, in the form of Qualitative Comparative Analysis, Analytic Induction, Grounded Theorising, or Cluster Analysis - can bridge the gap between the two sides.

This book offers an exploration of case-focused methods as a means of bridging the quantitative-qualitative divide and the key methodological issues. This book challenges the divide between qualitative and quantitative approaches that is now institutionalized within social science. Rather than suggesting the 'mixing' of methods, "Challenging the Qualitative-Quantitative Divide" provides a thorough interrogation of the arguments and practices characteristic of both sides of the divide, focusing on how well they address the common problems that all social research faces, particularly as regards causal analysis. The authors identify some fundamental weaknesses in both quantitative and qualitative approaches, and explore whether case-focused analysis - for instance, in the form of Qualitative Comparative Analysis, Analytic Induction, Grounded Theorising, or Cluster Analysis - can bridge the gap between the two sides.

An in-depth glossary, this accessible book successfully introduces students to the key concepts and terms used in social research. Terms are organised alphabetically and fully cross-referenced for use of ease. Suggestions for further reading help to consolidate knowledge and aids understanding.

Today's students of social science must understand a variety of research methods. This new edition fully explores the logic of research, whilst aiding a critical understanding of practical, evidence based work. With new chapters, an original framework and updated examples, this book continues to be a primary resource for undergraduates.

Mental Health Matters is an innovative, interdisciplinary collection of texts which challenge traditional understandings of mental health, emphasising the perspectives of mental health service-users. Combining classic writings about mental health practices and problems from psychiatry, sociology and psychology with specially commissioned new articles, it considers theories and debates in mental health and distress; the social and historical dimensions of mental health; involving users in mental health services and practically improving those services.

`This is an ambitious contribution to the ever-growing market for research textbooks. The book concludes with an excellent appendix on sources of literature… useful for postgraduate students and staff wishing to fill gaps and/or double-check their facts' - Physiotherapy `In lieu of serving up the usual fare of methods and applications to be chosen from at whim, it concentrates on clinicians with limited time who wish to evaluate research rather than necessarily do it themselves.... If you already have a book on research methods...this book will still fine-tune your antennae to the good, the bad and the cant' - The British Journal of Healthcare Computing and Information Management 'Recommended reading' - Oxford Brookes University, Oxford Practitioners across the caring professions increasingly need to know where evidence can be found and to evaluate different forms of evidence with a critical eye. This invaluable collection includes exemplars of a wide range of research techniques and provides a critical commentary for each. The commentary is designed to tackle jargon and demystify the text, highlighting the compromises that need to be made in real world research designs and the complexity of controlling relevant variables. The book seeks to underline the challenges of interpreting and generalising results both for the researchers and for those who fund their work. This is a set book for the Open University course K302 Critical Practice in Health and Social Care.

`This is an ambitious contribution to the ever-growing market for research textbooks. The book concludes with an excellent appendix on sources of literature… useful for postgraduate students and staff wishing to fill gaps and/or double-check their facts' - Physiotherapy `In lieu of serving up the usual fare of methods and applications to be chosen from at whim, it concentrates on clinicians with limited time who wish to evaluate research rather than necessarily do it themselves.... If you already have a book on research methods...this book will still fine-tune your antennae to the good, the bad and the cant' - The British Journal of Healthcare Computing and Information Management 'Recommended reading' - Oxford Brookes University, Oxford Practitioners across the caring professions increasingly need to know where evidence can be found and to evaluate different forms of evidence with a critical eye. This invaluable collection includes exemplars of a wide range of research techniques and provides a critical commentary for each. The commentary is designed to tackle jargon and demystify the text, highlighting the compromises that need to be made in real world research designs and the complexity of controlling relevant variables. The book seeks to underline the challenges of interpreting and generalising results both for the researchers and for those who fund their work. This is a set book for the Open University course K302 Critical Practice in Health and Social Care.

The issue of educational opportunity has long been of public concern and a major focus for eduational research. As a result, there is now a substantial body of research findings in this field, both quantitative and qualitative.; This work relates to various levels of the educational system and to different categories of student, but particularly social class, gender, ethnicity and race. The central trend has been to find persisting inequalities despite reform at system, institutional and classroom levels. Furthermore, the educational system is frequently portrayed as playing a key role in reproducing wider social and economic inequalities.; This book examines the status of educational inequality as a social problem, explores the conceptual issues surrounding it, assesses a representative sample of recent research, and seeks to clarify the relevant methodological ground rules, thereby laying the basis for future research in the field.