Research and evaluation for busy practitioners
A time-saving guide
- Author/Editor(s):
- Helen Kara
- Format:
- Hardback, 232 pages, 240 x 172 mm
- ISBN
- 9781447301165
- Published:
- 18 Oct 2012
£52.00 - List price: £65.00 You save: £13.00
North America customers can order this book here from the University of Chicago Press.
"It will develop quite a fan base in the UK public services community, and it gets a `thumbs up' for its contribution in helping promote the quality social research message SRA News
“I would especially recommend this book for anyone thinking about whether or not research is ‘for them’. It demystifies the process, making it seem less intimidating whilst at the same time being clear about the level of personal commitment involved ... Those who do not read this book could risk wasting a lot of time by doing unnecessary or counterproductive things.” Dr David Pitcher, Family Court Adviser and member of Cafcass
"Helen Kara has put together an easy to read, useful and, most importantly, realistic book on research for practitioners. I enjoyed her 'warts and all' approach, demystifying the research process without over-simplifying or ignoring the more challenging elements of the process. Practitioners who need to research will find it a really helpful and accessible 'how to' manual."
Jude England, British Library.
"Packed with good advice, this book has practically everything busy practitioners need to know to get started in research."
Nursing Standard
About This Book
More and more people working in public services have to do research on top of their main jobs. This can include workplace research, such as evaluation, audit, training needs analysis or satisfaction surveys, or research for a professional development qualification such as diploma, master's degree or PhD. Unlike most how-to books that treat research as if it exists in isolation, this book will show you how to juggle research, work, family, and social life. Based on interviews with practitioners from health, education, social care, criminal justice, government and the third sector, as well as the author's extensive experience, it provides a wealth of practical information and tips to save you time, effort and stress. This book is for anyone in the public or third sector, an independent research organisation or academia, who wants to know how to do research on top of their main job and still have a life. The book is supported by a companion website, containing additional materials for both students and lecturers, which is available from the link above. The book is supported by a companion website, containing additional materials for both students and lecturers, which is available from the link above.
Author Biography
Dr Helen Kara has been an independent social researcher and writer since 1999, and is also Associate Research Fellow at the Third Sector Research Centre, Birmingham University. Her background is in social care and the third sector, and she works with third sector organisations and social care and health partnerships. While working full-time, she obtained both her MSc in Social Research Methods and her PhD. She also teaches research methods to practitioners and students, and loves to demystify the processes of writing and research.Contents
Introduction
Overview of research
Research topics, proposals and plans
Managing the research process
Background research
Secondary data
Primary data collection
Data analysis
Writing up
Dissemination
Conclusion
Glossary
Resources
Related Titles
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