Preface
Section 1: Science, Constructs, and Definitions
- Learning Resources for Section 1
- Section 1.1: What is (Social) Science? [Learning Resources]
- Section 1.2: Making Sense of Numbers [Learning Resources]
- Section 1.3: Definitions and Constructs [Learning Resources]
- Section 1.4: Research Ethics [Learning Resources]
- Section 1.5: Finding Information [Learning Resources]
Section 2: Foundations of Scientific Literature
- Learning Resources for Section 2
- Section 2.1: The Scientific Literature [Learning Resources]
- Section 2.2: The Research Writing Process [Learning Resources]
- Section 2.3: Analyzing the Literature [Learning Resources]
- Section 2.4: Methodological Concerns [Learning Resources]
- Section 2.5: Citation Systems [Learning Resources]
Section 3: Variables and Hypotheses
- Learning Resources for Section 3
- Section 3.1: Writing Research Hypotheses [Learning Resources]
- Section 3.2: Variables [Learning Resources]
- Section 3.3: Scales of Measurement [Learning Resources]
- Section 3.4: Sampling and Generalizability [Learning Resources]
- Section 3.5: Hypothesis Testing [Learning Resources]
Section 4: Writing For Research
- Learning Resources for Section 4
- Section 4.1: Synthesis of the Literature [Learning Resources]
- Section 4.2: Quoting and Paraphrasing [Learning Resources]
- Section 4.3: Elements of a Literature Review [Learning Resources]
- Section 4.4: Your Own Style [Learning Resources]
- Section 4.5: Writing to Style [Learning Resources]
Section 5: Research Designs
- Learning Resources for Section 5
- Section 5.1: Quantitative Research [Learning Resources]
- Section 5.2: Experimental Designs [Learning Resources]
- Section 5.3: True Experiments [Learning Resources]
- Section 5.4: Quasi-experimental Designs [Learning Resources]
- Section 5.5: Qualitative Designs [Learning Resources]
Section 6: Data Collection and Qualitative Designs
- Learning Resources for Section 6
- Section 6.1: Qualitative and Historical Research [Learning Resources]
- Section 6.2: Existing Data and Archival Records [Learning Resources]
- Section 6.3: Observational Research [Learning Resources]
- Section 6.4: Surveys and Interviews [Learning Resources]
- Section 6.5: Applied Research [Learning Resources]
- Appendix A: Advanced Concepts in Research Ethics [Learning Resources]
- Appendix B: How to Write a Case Brief [Learning Resources]
- Appendix C: How to Write an Incident Report [Learning Resources]
- Appendix D: Writing Probation and Parole Reports [Learning Resources]
- Appendix E: Writing for Court Testimony [Learning Resources]
- Appendix F: Grant Writing in Criminal Justice [Learning Resources]
- Appendix G: Communication with the Public [Learning Resources]
- Appendix H: Policy Manuals in Criminal Justice [Learning Resources]
I’ve developed a section of brief documents and handouts to supplement this material, simply called Research Tools.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify social science principles, distinguish structured empirical methods from informal observations, and recognize biases in research. (Section 1)
- Explain the role of theories in social sciences, differentiate them from other forms of knowledge, and apply this understanding in formulating research problems. (Section 1)
- Identify and differentiate types of scholarly articles in social science and evaluate their contributions to the research knowledge base. (Section 2)
- Formulate testable research hypotheses with clear variable relationships and understand variable types and measurement scales. (Section 3)
- Synthesize sources into cohesive literature reviews, organize by topic, and analyze research methods to identify knowledge gaps. (Section 4)
- Analyze and interpret numerical data in quantitative research and understand the principles of experimental designs in social research. (Section 5)
- Differentiate and apply various qualitative and historical research methods, understanding their significance in exploring behaviors and societal understanding. (Section 6)
Statement of Purpose
Welcome to Fundamentals of Social Research, an open educational resource (OER) textbook designed to provide a comprehensive and engaging learning experience for students. This freely available online textbook embodies modern thinking and best practices in educational pedagogy, offering the unique advantage of immediate reader feedback to continually enhance the content.
Our purpose is to offer a clear and accessible resource that equips students with a solid foundation in social research. By making this textbook freely available online, we ensure that learners from diverse backgrounds can access high-quality educational materials without financial barriers. This OER version also enables readers to actively participate in the improvement of the textbook by providing immediate feedback to the authors regarding the content, thereby fostering a collaborative and iterative learning experience.
Through the integration of real-life examples, diverse perspectives, and current research, we strive to make the study of social research relevant and meaningful to students’ lives. This open textbook encourages active learning, featuring numerous opportunities for students to engage with the material through thought-provoking exercises, reflective activities, and application-based scenarios.
The benefits of the free online OER version are numerous. Firstly, it eliminates financial barriers, making quality education accessible to all students. Secondly, the digital format enables readers to access the textbook anytime, anywhere, fostering flexibility and convenience.
As authors, we are committed to continuous improvement, actively seeking and incorporating reader feedback to enhance the textbook’s content and pedagogical effectiveness. By providing an open platform for engagement and dialogue, we foster a community of learners who actively contribute to the ongoing development of Fundamentals of Social Research.
Modification History File Created: 07/24/2018 Last Modified: 07/25/2024
This work is licensed under an Open Educational Resource-Quality Master Source (OER-QMS) License.
