Research Methods in the Social Sciences, 6th Ed.: A Book Review

Submitted by: J. B. Nangpuhan II, Student, Master Program in Public Administration, Chonnam National University,

12 June 2011

Submitted to: Dr. G. C. Jang, Professor, Research Methods in Public Administration, Department of Public Administration, Chonnam National University
 

Bibliographic Citation:

Nachmias, C., Nachmias, D. (2000). Research Methods in the Social Sciences, Sixth Edition. New York: Worth Publishers and St. Martin’s Press

 

Introduction

The book I chose to review for this assignment is entitled Research Methods in the Social Sciences by authors Chava Frankfort-Nachmias and David Nachmias, 6^th edition (2000). I chose this book simply because all basic and concrete information about social researches are discussed in-depth. Although it is the sixth edition published more than a decade ago, this book is still very useful for students like me as I broaden my knowledge about research. This book explicitly outlined significant research methodologies coupled with specific research problems and findings based on reliable studies. Such problems and findings are still visible in the present sphere making this book indispensable.

Nachmias et al. provide a comprehensive and systematic presentation of the scientific approach within the context of the social sciences. Their book is written for readers to understand the relationship between theory, research, and practice.  Also, the relationship of these three core ideas in research is further integrated into research activities in an orderly framework so that readers can easily learn about the nature of the social science research. In other words, the book is well-written and placed in a logical order.  

This book is suitable to students and working adults seeking to better understand and apply the proper and effective role of research in this world. In social science courses like public administration, research subjects are integrated not just as a requirement but a necessity for all students to learn. In a general sense, I believe that research subjects are important to all forms of profession.

 

Summary

The authors state that “social science research is a cyclical and self-correcting process consisting of seven major inter-related stages: definition of the research problem, statement of the hypothesis, research design, measurement, data collection, data analysis, and generalization. Each of these stages is interrelated with theory in that it both affects and is affected by it” (Nachmias et al., 2000, p. xix). The authors point out that although each stage is identical, it is not intended to be rigid. It is meant to convey the underlying themes of social science research.

The book starts out by relating science into knowledge and its significance to research. After discussing the source of scientific knowledge, the book lays down theoretical systems as symbolized by concepts and its relationship to the research process. The authors state that “theory and research should interact continuously and that the contrast between the two strategies is more apparent than real” (Nachmian et al. 2000).

The book then goes on to discuss ethics as an important issue in research. Then the core part of the book lays down how to design and structure a certain research integrating each process with illustrations and symbols. The last part of the book introduces statistical analyses (SPSS) that can be used to summarize, analyze, or evaluate a body of information. In general, the authors are trying to present the scientific approach in the social sciences in a comprehensive manner by citing examples, tables and figures that are not difficult to understand. 

 

Critique

The central ideas contained in this book are similar to Thomas Herzog’s Research Methods in the Social Sciences. As you notice, both have the same book title, printed and published in the United States of America. But Herzog’s book published in 1996, the same year the first edition of Nachmias et al.’s book. The core contents of both books about the basics of scientific research are pretty much similar except that of the inclusion of SPSS problems by Nachmias et al. Herzog focused on basic research methods: observation, survey, and experiment. Both authors agree that scientific approach to knowledge is derived based on the acquisition of experience or direct observation. Unlike the book of Nachmias et al., Herzog put the discussion of ethics at the last part of the book. He prioritized discussing in the early part of his book the relationships between variables and generalization by presenting statistical inference.

Nachmias et al.’s book shows an orderly framework of discussions in each chapter. It introduces the chapter with a problem and ends with a summary, list of key terms and study questions. What is eye-catching in this book is the presence of tables and figures with highlights of important words. The book strikes a nice balance between not being too technical without being too elementary. However, during the course of reading, I encountered some typographical errors on some words.

In general, the book of Nachmias et al. is ideal for students because it has a lot of exercises which are educationally helpful to be able to understand in-depth about social research.

 

Recommendation

I have to say that, in the end, I would still recommend this book to someone wanting to learn on the basics of social research. I also understand that research course is considered by many as a difficult one, it is difficult for me as well. Although this is an essential textbook for students like me, there is a need to read newly released textbooks to get some updates especially results of recent findings in social research. 

 

References

Nachmias, C.F., Nachmias, D. (2000). Research Methods in the Social Sciences, Sixth Edition. New York: Worth Publishers and St. Martin’s Press

Herzog, T. (1996). Research Methods in the Social Sciences. New York: HarperCollins Publishers