Preparing students to do research and understand what research can do. Basics of Social Research helps students understand what research can and cannot do, become better consumers of research, and learn why properly conducted research is important. This textteaches students to be better consumers of research results and understand how the research enterprise works, preparing them to conduct small research projects. Upon completing this text, students will gain an awareness of the capabilities and restrictions of research, and learn why properly conducted research is important. Using clear, accessible language and examples from real research, this textdiscusses both qualitative and quantitative approaches to social research, emphasizing the benefits of combining various approaches. Learning Goals Upon completing this book, readers should be able to: Recognize that social research is simultaneously a very important enterprise and one that is not beyond you — you can understand it Become better consumers and understand what research can and cannot do Learn how to properly conducted research Acquire a foundation for further learning about doing research and understand that this activity requires dedication, creativity, and mature judgment Note: MySearchLab does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase MySearchLab, please visit: www.mysearchlab.com or you can purchase a ValuePack of the text + MySearchLab with Pearson eText (at no additional cost). ValuePack ISBN-10:0205863671/ ValuePack ISBN-13: 9780205863679

W. Lawrence Neuman James is professor of sociology and Asian Studies coordinator at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. His M.A. and Ph.D. were earned at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has authored seven books and published 35 articles and book chapters, which have appeared in Social Problems, Sociological Inquiry, Social Science Quarterly, American Sociological Review, Critical Asian Studies, Teaching Sociology, The Journal of Contemporary Asia, Sociological Quarterly, and other journals . He is a former president of the Wisconsin Sociological Association. Neuman has received his university’s highest award for research, the Chancellor's Award for service to students with disabilities, as well as the the Wisconsin Sociological Association's Outstanding Service Award, and the College of Letters and Sciences awards for outstanding teaching, excellence in research, and outstanding service.