This book provides undergraduate and postgraduate students the practical advice on doing research and also explores the nature of social research. This explains the main approaches and techniques in social research methods and assesses the contexts within which different research methods may be used and how they should be implemented. It provides students with the conceptual building blocks and essential tools for conducting quantitative and qualitative research. Tackling complex, subtle, and methodological issues in ways that require reflection rather than regurgitation, the text challenges students to think freely, critically, and creatively. It covers both quantitative and qualitative research and examines the significance of this very distinction. In addition to giving a thorough introductionto the practices of social research, the book relates issues of research method to wider issues within the social science field, such as the links between theoretical traditions and their research approach. In an accessible and student friendly manner, the book shows students how to go about doing their own research projects and how to write up their research. The book contains up to date empirical research examples, so providing a text that carefully mixes theoretical issues with practical applications. The text is well structured and easy to navigate with numerous real life examples and student learning aids including start of chapter guides, practical tips, checklists, review questions and web links. The text is also accompanied by a fully comprehensive Online Resource Centre which, used in conjunction with the book, will reinforce student learning and provide much needed extra advice on doing research projects. The website contains PowerPoint slides, lecturer,s guide, discussion questions, research examples, multiple-choice questions, web links and the research project guide. This edition which is the third, also includes revisions for reviewing the literature, student experiences in doing social research and combining quantitative and qualitative research.