A comprehensive introduction to the research methods used in sociology and other social sciences, METHODS OF SOCIAL RESEARCH explores the rules and procedures that social scientists use in designing research projects and in assessing information and drawing conclusions. Balancing coverage of basic and applied social science research and qualitative and quantitative approaches, students learn to participate in the design of research projects, critically analyze research reports and identify their strengths and weaknesses, and assess the legitimacy of their conclusions. Part I of the book introduces the topic of social research. Part II of the book describes two critical issues in research, measurement and sampling. Part III describes the most commonly used research designs in the social sciences. Part IV focuses on data analysis, deriving some meaning from the observations that were made during the research process. Part V of the book deals with how research findings are used.