Survey research - R. J. Sapsford

Assuming no prior knowledge, this book provides readable and informative coverage of the main survey methods and the place of surveys in the spectrum of social research.
Roger Sapsford guides the reader through the main theoretical and practical issues and illustrates the application of survey methods through examples. He covers the technical questions which have to be considered when planning and carrying out research and also the ethics and politics of research projects.

The central message of the book is that theory, technique and practical application are inseparable when it comes to doing or thinking about research. At all stages, practical research issues are mixed in with issues of the ethics, politics, philosophy, sociology and social psychology which underpin them.

Survey Research will be welcomed by both experienced practitioners and by beginners in quantitative methods courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It will be useful in sociology, social policy, health studies, social psychology, social geography and politics, as well as applied areas such as policing, nursing and social work.

Roger Sapsford is Reader in Social Research at the University of Teesside.

`I would thoroughly recommend this book to its intended audience.
It is well presented and the conversational style makes it easy and enjoyable to read, with ideas explained through detailed cases studies and the salient points summarised at regular intervals.' - Survey Methods Newsletter