'Jane Elliott's examination of the use of "narrative" within the broad context of social science inquiry is a must-read for both qualitative and quantitative researchers, novice and expert alike' - Journal of Advanced Nursing `This important book does an impressive job of synthesising a complex literature and bringing together both qualitative and quantitative methods of narrative analysis. It will become a milestone in the development of narrative methods. Although ground-breaking in many ways, it is very clearly written and accessible to readers from a wide variety of backgrounds and methodological experience' - Nigel Gilbert, University of Surrey `An elegantly written, scholarly and accessible text. Jane Elliott shows a sophisticated appreciation of contemporary methodological developments, and makes a persuasive case for the use of narrative approaches in both qualitative and quantitative research. The book challenges and advances debates about combining methods, and shows how stories can work within and across conventional research boundaries. It is a truly original contribution to the literature' - Amanda Coffey, Cardiff School of Social Sciences `An outstanding book. Jane Elliott breaks new ground by demonstrating to new generations of social scientists how the power of narrative can fruitfully be harnessed in social research. This is a "must read" book' - Professor Mike Savage, University of Manchester This is a lucid and accessible introduction to narrative methods in social research. It is also an important book about the nature, role and theoretical basis of research methodology in general. Jane Elliott instructs the reader on the basic methods and methodological assumptions that form the basis of narrative methods. She does so in a way that is practical and accessible and in a way that will make the book a favourite with students and experienced researchers alike. Elliott argues that both qualitative and quantitative methods are characterised by a concern with narrative, and that our research data can best be analyzed if it is seen in narrative terms. In concrete, step-by-step terms she details for the reader how to go about collecting data and how to subject that data to narrative analysis, while at the same time placing this process in its wider theoretical context. She works across the traditional quantitative/qualitative divide to set out the ways in which narrative researchers can uncover such issues as social change, causality and social identity. She also shows how the techniques and skills used by qualitative researchers can be deployed when doing quantitative research and, similarly, how qualitative researchers can sometimes profit from using quantitative skills and techniques. "This book provides both a fascinating and a challenging read. What sets this text apart from other books on research methodology and methods is that it does not focus exclusively on either quantitative or qualitative research approaches, but rather attempts to bridge the divide. The book should be compulsory reading not only for those aspiring to undertake narrative research and those students undertaking higher degree research courses, but also for those more experienced researches wishing to explore contemporary issues in research methods and methodology. As a recent recruit to a lecturer-practitioner post with little recnt experience in the subject area covered by this book, i found it met my needs very well. I would certainly recomment this book for purchase." Dr Andrew Pettipher, University of Nottingham, UK.
This text provides an accessible, practical guide to the potential and capabilities of the qualitative computing software BNUD.IST Vivo. Lyn Richards puts emphasis on why researchers use these methods and approaches'
This text provides an accessible, practical guide to the potential and capabilities of the qualitative computing software BNUD.IST Vivo. Lyn Richards puts emphasis on why researchers use these methods and approaches'
Includes CD-Rom Times Educational Supplement Star Read! 'This is an authoritative yet lively and eminently readable book. It is well grounded in both the latest academic theory and experienced hands-on pedagogic practice, and it summarises succinctly the implications of the recent Rose Report, giving a masterly exposition of both synthetic and analytic phonics and their places in the processes of learning to read and spell. Practical and organisational issues are tackled in a most supportive way, with very useful checklists and photocopiable proformas on an accompanying CD. The book also provides and excellent guide to provision for professional development, involving the use of lesson observation and part of the evaluation and planning cycle for CPD. Its style is clear and well signposted with subheadings, case-study boxes to illuminate points, and with aims given at the start of each chapter as well as challenging points for reflection and guides to further reading at the ends. Every staff room should have one!' - Dorothy Latham, Primary Education Consultant, English specialist and author of How Children Learn to Write 'Synthetic phonics may well be only one tool for teaching reading and spelling, but it is the single most important one' - Ruth Kelly, Education Secretary, March 2006 'Teachers - and particularly Literacy Co-ordinators or SENCOs - who are enthusiastic about children's learning and about their own professional development will undoubtedly benefit from using this book and CD, with its combination of useful explanation and practical resources to support the implementation of the ideas' - Lorna Gardiner, General Adviser, Foundation Stage, North Eastern Education and Library Board, Northern Ireland Are you looking for practical advice on how to teach phonics? By giving the reader a basic introduction to teaching reading and spelling using phonics, this book will provide you with easy-to-use ideas for your classrooms. Following on from the recommendations of the Rose Report, the author explains why teaching phonics works, and how to present irregular as well as straightforward features of English. The book: o contains practical examples and activities for teachers o explains the basis of synthetic and analytic phonics o gives advice on choosing the best resources o looks at how to help the weakest readers o includes a CD Rom with photocopiable resources and INSET materials o contains a glossary of key terms Literacy Co-ordinators, teachers and teaching assistants will find this an invaluable resource.
Includes CD-Rom Times Educational Supplement Star Read! 'This is an authoritative yet lively and eminently readable book. It is well grounded in both the latest academic theory and experienced hands-on pedagogic practice, and it summarises succinctly the implications of the recent Rose Report, giving a masterly exposition of both synthetic and analytic phonics and their places in the processes of learning to read and spell. Practical and organisational issues are tackled in a most supportive way, with very useful checklists and photocopiable proformas on an accompanying CD. The book also provides and excellent guide to provision for professional development, involving the use of lesson observation and part of the evaluation and planning cycle for CPD. Its style is clear and well signposted with subheadings, case-study boxes to illuminate points, and with aims given at the start of each chapter as well as challenging points for reflection and guides to further reading at the ends. Every staff room should have one!' - Dorothy Latham, Primary Education Consultant, English specialist and author of How Children Learn to Write 'Synthetic phonics may well be only one tool for teaching reading and spelling, but it is the single most important one' - Ruth Kelly, Education Secretary, March 2006 'Teachers - and particularly Literacy Co-ordinators or SENCOs - who are enthusiastic about children's learning and about their own professional development will undoubtedly benefit from using this book and CD, with its combination of useful explanation and practical resources to support the implementation of the ideas' - Lorna Gardiner, General Adviser, Foundation Stage, North Eastern Education and Library Board, Northern Ireland Are you looking for practical advice on how to teach phonics? By giving the reader a basic introduction to teaching reading and spelling using phonics, this book will provide you with easy-to-use ideas for your classrooms. Following on from the recommendations of the Rose Report, the author explains why teaching phonics works, and how to present irregular as well as straightforward features of English. The book: o contains practical examples and activities for teachers o explains the basis of synthetic and analytic phonics o gives advice on choosing the best resources o looks at how to help the weakest readers o includes a CD Rom with photocopiable resources and INSET materials o contains a glossary of key terms Literacy Co-ordinators, teachers and teaching assistants will find this an invaluable resource.
Using an accessible approach perfect for social and behavioral science students (requiring minimal use of matrix and vector algebra), Holmes examines how propensity scores can be used to both reduce bias with different kinds of quasi-experimental designs and fix or improve broken experiments. This unique book covers the causal assumptions of propensity score estimates and their many uses, linking these uses with analysis appropriate for different designs. Thorough coverage of bias assessment, propensity score estimation, and estimate improvement is provided, along with graphical and statistical methods for this process. Applications are included for analysis of variance and covariance, maximum likelihood and logistic regression, two-stage least squares, generalized linear regression, and general estimation equations. The examples use public data sets that have policy and programmatic relevance across a variety of social and behavioral science disciplines.
The apparent authenticity of published data can be as dangerous as it is inviting. This guide points out the main dangers (sampling errors, measurement errors, and invalid or unreliable procedures) and analyzes the various ways in which these problems arise -- giving numerous examples. Jacob discusses ways to solve these problems, and when no solutions seem available, he suggests appropriate disclaimers. An appendix critically evaluates several useful data sets. This monograph also serves as a general reference volume on how to avoid the pitfalls that researchers often overlook. `Its subject is one that should find a place in many more introductory social statistics and research methods texts that it actually does.' -- The Statistician, Vol 35, 1986
This text offers a broad, overall description of qualitative research with the objective of facilitating the greater integration of qualitative and quantitative methods in organizational research. The book provides a look at the methods and tactics of qualitative research for both generating and testing management theories. It includes guidelines ......
`The text has a good layout and is an excellent introduction to the broad area of qualitative research.' - Psychology Research Journal `A must read for anyone interested in more fully understanding the conversation on this topic' - Forum for Qualitative Social Research - follow the link below to read the complete review Using Qualitative ......
