This practical book is designed for anyone who is planning to undertake a research project in the social sciences for the first time. Organised around eight operational steps, it explains difficult procedures step-by-step.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 490-494) and index.

Research : A way of thinking -- Research process : a quick glance -- Formulating a research problem -- Reviewing the literature -- Formulating a research problem -- Identifying variables -- Constructing hypotheses -- Step II : Conceptualising a research design -- Research design -- Selecting a study design -- Step III : Constructing an instrument for data collection -- Selecting a method of data collection -- Collecting data using attitudinal scales -- Establishing the validity and reliability of a research instrument -- Step IV : Selecting a sample -- Selecting a sample -- Step V : Writing a research proposal -- Step VI : Collecting data -- Considering ethical issues in data collection -- Step VII : Processing and displaying data -- Processing data -- Displaying data -- Step VIII : Writing a research report.