A Student's Guide to Methodology by Clough, Peter; Nutbrown, Cathy;

Short description:

The accessible introduction to 'methodology' rather than 'methods' opens students up to critical questions about methodological concepts and frameworks in a way that will appeal to lecturers teaching research in education and wider social sciences.

Long description:

The Third Edition of this hugely popular text provides students with straightforward principles and frameworks for understanding methodology. Peter Clough and Cathy Nutbrown are adept at making methodology meaningful for beginners and more advanced readers alike. Their book clearly demonstrates how methodology impacts upon every stage of the research process, and gives readers all of the tools that they need to understand it.

New to this edition are the following:

- new boxes and guidance on research ethics in every chapter

- more international examples and perspectives

- up to date coverage of online research methods

- more examples from real students

- a new companion website, featuring Powerpoint slides for lecturers

The authors take an applied approach and every chapter contains a variety of practical examples from real research. Readers are encouraged to reflect on their own practice at every step, meaning that the book remains extremely relevant throughout. It will be invaluable for all students who are doing a dissertation or taking a research methods module in education, the social sciences, business and health.

Justifying why this is one of the best books around on methodology is easy when the author's own students provide that evidence. Clough and Nutbrown's 3rd edition provides an important book for undergraduate, masters and doctoral students in education and the wider social sciences. This book will not only increase creative and critical capacities of researchers, but increase understandings of how pervasive methodology is when making findings public within the research process
Dr. Richard Race
Senior Lecturer in Education, Roehampton University

Finally, a book that clearly distinguishes methodology from methods. Excellent layout which aids comprehension. Great for the novice and competent researcher
Karen Wild
Lecturer in Nursing, Keele University

A fresh approach to research. Students will enjoy the activities and examples of what research can be
Ally Dunhill
Director of Teaching and Learning, Faculty of Education. Hull University

This interactive and refreshing text guides researchers to address methodology pervasively. The authors want to help research bring about change - in the researcher, the researched and the user
Prof. Collette Tayler
The University of Melbourne

Simplicity and clarity are the hallmarks of this book, with a strong student orientation in writing style, content and reader aids. One is spoken to, rather than down to, and each chapter includes useful activities, summeries and references.

G. E. Gorman
Online Information Review

Table of Contents:

PART ONE: RESEARCH IS METHODOLOGY
What Is Research?
What Is Methodology?
PART TWO: THE PERVASIVE NATURE OF METHODOLOGY
Looking: Seeing beyond the Known
Listening: Issues of Voice
Reading: Purpose and Positionality
Questioning: The Focus of Research
PART THREE: MAKING RESEARCH PUBLIC
Research Design: Shaping the Study
Reporting Research: Telling the Story
Research Action: Next Steps