Book Review: – Reflections on research: The realities of doing research in the social sciences

Reflections on research: The realities of doing research in
the social sciences

Nina Hallowell, Julia Lawton and Susan Gregory (eds)

STAR RATING 4/5


There are many books that tell us “how to do” research but this
tells us “how it went”, writes Elaine Argyle.

Drawing on the contributions of several researchers, this book
brings together anecdotal accounts of setting up research projects,
negotiating access, gathering data and disseminating findings.

In doing so the book gives an accessible insight into the realities
of conducting empirically-based research, the practical and ethical
complexities involved and possible ways in which these may be
resolved. However, none of the contributors chose to write about
their experiences of securing funding or data analysis. Nor is
quantitative research given much consideration with most
contributors being qualitative researchers working in health.

Nevertheless, it should appeal to professionals and students.

Elaine
Argyle, is Economic and Social Research Council postdoctoral
research fellow, University of Sheffield