At last, an accessible, authoritative, no-nonsense guide to the key concepts in one of the most widely used methodologies in social science: Ethnography. This is not quite an encyclopedia but far more than a dictionary. This outstanding teaching and research resource is comprehensive yet brief. It is small and neat, easy to hold and flick through, and it is exactly what students and researchers have been waiting for.
An essential guide to understanding the issues which characterize post-colonialism. A comprehensive glossary has extensive cross-referencing, a bibliography of essential writings and an easy-to-use A-Z format.
A detailed yet concise handbook clarifying all the major terms needed for a thorough understanding of key research methodology concepts in business and management. An invaluable guide for students at all levels seeking assistance with projects, research proposals, dissertations and theses; including case studies and suggestions for further reading.
`This clearly written and user-friendly book is ideal for students or researchers who wish to get a basic, but solid grasp of a topic and see how it fits with other topics. By following the links a student can easily and efficiently build up a clear conceptual map of social research′ - Malcolm Williams, Reader in Sociology, Cardiff University `This is a really useful book, written in an accessible manner for students beginning their study of social research methods. It is helpful both as an introductory text and as a reference guide for more advanced students. Most of the key topics in methods and methodology are covered and it will be suitable as a recommended text on a wide variety of courses′ - Clive Seale, Brunel University At last, an authoritative, crystal-clear introduction to research methods which really takes account of the needs of students for accessible, focused information to help with undergraduate essays and exams. The key concepts discussed here are based on a review of teaching syllabi and the authors′ experience of many years of teaching. Topics range over qualitative and quantitative approaches and combine practical considerations with philosophical issues. They include several new topics, like internet and phone polling, internet searches, and visual methods. Each section is free-standing, can be tackled in order, but with links to other sections to enable students to cross-reference and build up a wider understanding of central research methods. To facilitate comprehension and aid study, each section begins with a definition. It is followed by a summary of key points with key words and guides to further reading and up-to-date examples. The book is a major addition to undergraduate reading lists. It is reliable, allows for easy transference to essays and exams and easy to use, and exceptionally clearly written for student consumption. The book answers the needs of all those who find research methods daunting, and for those who have dreamt of an ideal introduction to the subject.
"This is a beautifully written book that takes the reader to the heart of ethnography as experience. Readers can walk in the shoes of ethnographers who have travelled before them, and learn as they learned. Sara Delamont is an undisputed expert in both ethnography and education, and here illustrates she is also a tour de force in writing style. All the important ingredients for a recipe to make a good quality ethnography are here, and they are served up with relish!" - Karen O’Reilly, Loughborough University "This is a powerful, richly nuanced, evocative work; a stunning and brilliantly innovative intervention. It provides ground zero - the starting place for the next generation of social scholars of education. A major accomplishment." - Norman K. Denzin, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign The ethnography of education has been conducted by sociologists and anthropologists, largely in self-contained and self-referential ways. This book celebrates the continuities and the strengths of ethnographic research on education in formal and non-formal settings, deliberately transgressing the sociology/anthropology divide. Education is broadly defined to cover many settings other than schools, in many countries, for many age-groups. The book is structured thematically, including chapters on movement and mobilities, memorials and memories, time and timescapes, bodies, and performativities, multi-sensory research, and narratives. Strategies for designing innovative ethnographic projects, and for fighting familiarity are provided.
`This book confirms David Harris' status as a leading theorist in contemporary culture and leisure in the UK. He offers a distinctive, coherent and authoritative guide to the major concepts and debates that should engage leisure scholars and scholarship' - Dr Peter Bramham, Senior Lecturer in Leisure Studies, Leeds Metropolitan University Written with the needs of today's student in mind, the SAGE Key Concepts series provides accessible, authoritative and reliable coverage of the essential issues in a range of disciplines. Written in each case by experienced and respected experts in the subject area, the books are indispensable study aids and guides to comprehension. Cross-referenced throughout, the format encourages understanding without sacrificing the level of detail and critical evaluation essential to convey the complexity of the issues. Key Concepts in Leisure Studies: Provides a student-friendly guide to the key debates in leisure studies Reflects recent developments in the field, encompassing related work in media studies, cultural studies, sports studies and sociology Cross-references each 1500 word exposition to other concepts in the field Offers definitions, section outlines and further reading guidance for independent learning Is supported by the author's website http:/www.arasite.org/keyconc.html Is essential reading for undergraduates and NVQ students in leisure studies.
"What a helpful book! This will be a 'friend ' to many undergraduate students looking for clarification." - Helen Hazelwood, St Mary's University College "This is a great book that really helps the students understand research and the complex processes that can often daunt even the most intelligent students." - Phil Barter, Middlesex University "Few can bring research methods to life like Mike Atkinson. His breadth of research interests and experience mean he can introduce you to all you need to know and inspire you to get down to doing some research yourself." - Dominic Malcolm, Loughborough University This book systematically demonstrates the significance and application of research methods in plain language. Written for students, it contains the core methodological concepts, practices and debates they need to understand and apply research methods within the field of sport and exercise. It provides a comprehensive panoramic introduction which will reassure and empower students. Written by a leading academic and drawing on years of teaching experience, it includes carefully cross-referenced entries which critically engage with interdisciplinary themes and data. Each concept includes: clear definitions suggestions for further reading comprehensive examples practical applications Pragmatic, lucid and concise the book will provide essential support to students in sports studies, sport development, sport and exercise science, kinesiology and health.
"This book is both insightful and engaging, enriched with diverse and up-to-date readings. Tony Blackshaw lays bare debates surrounding the uses and abuses of key concepts of community studies and breathes new life into community as theory and community studies as method." - Peter Bramham, Leeds Metropolitan University "I would highly recommend this book to any student who is studying communities and groups in society. The book and chapters are structured in a way that students will find it easy to move from one theme to another; to dip into relevant chapters when needed; to gain a good understanding of concepts and how and why they are applied to individuals and communities. The book encompasses both breadth and depth of key concepts and issues. This book will be compulsory reading on our Community Studies degree." - Lesley Groom, University of Bolton This book defines the current identity of community studies, provides a critical but reliable introduction to its key concepts and is an engaging guide to the key social research methods used by community researchers and practitioners. Concise but clear, it caters for the needs of those interested in community studies by offering cross-referenced, accessible overviews of the key theoretical issues that have the most influence on community studies today. It incorporates all of the important frames of reference including those which are: theoretical research focused practice and policy oriented political concerned about the place of community in everyday life. The extensive bibliographies and up-to-date guides to further reading reinforce the aim of the book to provide an invaluable learning resource. Interdisciplinary in approach and inventive in its range of applications this book will be of value to students studying sociology, social policy, politics and community development.
"This is a very attractive and welcoming text that is extremely lucid, engaging and often humorous. The author manages to pack the text with many, many relevant examples from key ethnographies, as well as drawing upon her own research experiences and writings. This book is very student friendly which is a major advantage and has found a niche in tone, approach and content; I will refer to it in my own work and teaching"--Paul Willis, Professor of Social//Cultural Ethnography, Keele University. At last, an accessible, authoritative, non-nonsense guide to the key concepts in one of the most widely used methodologies in social science: Ethnography. The book: - Covers and summarises the basic and related issues in ethnography that are covered nowhere else in a single text - It is an outstanding teaching and research resource which examines topics like 'sampling' and 'generalising' as well as embracing new fields such as virtual, visual and multi-sighted ethnography - Time-honoured themes such as key informants, access, participant observation and rapport are here as well as key contemporary issues such as reflexivity, writing and ethics - Each concept is presented comprehensively yet critically, with relevant examples. This is not quite an encyclopaedia but far more than a dictionary. It is comprehensive yet brief. It is small and neat, easy to hold and flick through. It is what students and researchers have been waiting for.
In the first textbook to cover ethnography specific to criminology, Treadwell guides readers through the ethnographic research process in full, starting with a background to criminological ethnography, through planning and doing an ethnographic project, and finally, the writing up and reporting stage.
This best-selling book, designed for researchers embarking on their first ethnographic project, has been substantially revised and updated, with lots of exercises and advice to guide the embodied and creative 'practice' of ethnography. New additions include cyber-ethnography, sensual, visual and mobile ethnographies, and 'field walking'.