Social research is a bourgeoning field. Of course it has many traditions and approaches, but there is a high premium upon thinking differently and thinking anew because social life is never static or wholly predictable.
The Handbook, edited by internationally recognized scholars, provides a comprehensive, pitch-perfect critical assessment of the field. The main features of the Handbook are:


Clear organization into 4 parts dealing with The Social Context of Research, Design and Data Collection, Integrating The Analysis of New Data Types, Sampling, Inference and Measurement
Clear, cutting edge chapters on Objectivity, Causation, Organizing Social Research, Correspondence Analysis, Grounded Theory, Conversational Surveys, Mixed Methods, Meta-Analysis, Optimal Matching Analysis, GIS Analysis, Quantitative Narrative Analysis, Longitudinal Studies, SEM, MLM, Qualitative Comparative Analysis, Respondent Driven Sampling
Brings together a glittering assembly of the key figures working in the field of research methods
Demonstrates the continuities and productive tensions between classical traditions and real world research.


The result is a superbly organized text which will be required reading for anyone interested in the routes and future of social research. It is an unparalleled teaching resource and a 'must have' for serious social researchers.