Research Methods in Practice

Strategies for Description and Causation

The Second Edition of Research Methods in Practice: Strategies for Description and Causation sets an entirely new standard for presenting and learning research methods. The perspective gained from this text makes it a truly necessary tool for such applied disciplines as public affairs and administration, public policy, psychology, urban affairs, education, sociology, social work, business, public health, political science, economics, communications and criminal justice.

Imbued with a deep commitment to make social and policy research methods accessible and meaningful, the Second Edition of Research Methods in Practice: Strategies for Description and Causation compels and inspires students to truly grasp the logic—and limits—of the latest research appearing in academic journals, government reports, and the media. Authors Dahlia K. Remler and Gregg G. Van Ryzin cover the most pertinent issues and methods, emphasizing the critical interpretation and practical application of research findings. Both causation and description—and the distinction between them—are emphasized and maintained thematically throughout the text. Concepts are taught through in-depth examples, such as “Fighting Malaria in Kenya,” “The U.S. Poverty Measure,” “The Fallout from Hurricane Katrina,” “Family Dinners and Teenage Substance Abuse,” and “The Effect of Poverty on Mental Health.” The realistic trade-offs, uncertainties, habits, and excitement of the research experience come through on every page.

Praise for Research Methods in Practice

“The organization is the most straightforward and accessible of any research methods text I know…The depth of presentation is a perfect balance between the fundamentals and an introduction to advanced topics.” - Richard Tardanico, Florida International University

“I really like this book and so do my students.  It fills a much-needed gap in available textbooks on research methods, by speaking to practical and applied research without ‘dumbing it down’…It strikes a nice balance between accessible and rigorous – a balance that I haven’t seen in other books.” - Jennifer Shea, San Francisco State University

“The clear language and carefully organized examples (e.g., boxes of information) of various concepts, and the real-life examples (Hurricane Katrina, poverty in the US, the flu epidemic, recent economic downturn) that provide a context for the topics are the greatest strengths of the textbook.” - Dr. Sevil Sonmez, University of North Carolina Greensboro

“I believe this is the best text available for teaching students the fundamentals of research design and statistics, and introducing them to the difficulties inherent in evaluation research and causal inference.” - Dave E. Marcotte, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)

“Clear to the point and detailed, just makes fairly complex points in a very understandable manner…and explains things in ways students new to research can understand.  I like the organization as it blends stats and methods better than most textbooks.” - Glenn A Zuern,  Albany State University

“It includes all the crucial bits that standard research methods textbooks leave out: what happens after all the data collection and analysis – and why do it at all? The authors write in a friendly and accessible style, very much in the real world, and so well structured that it is easy to dip in and out, to take exactly what the researcher want from it.” - Prof. Osarumwense Iguisi, London Millennium College / University of Benin, Nigeria

“If students are looking to purchase one text that will provide sound coverage of research methods coupled with examples that provide clarity of application this is it.” - Matthew Cooper, Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College

Available with Perusall—an eBook that makes it easier to prepare for class
Perusall is an award-winning eBook platform featuring social annotation tools that allow students and instructors to collaboratively mark up and discuss their SAGE textbook. Backed by research and supported by technological innovations developed at Harvard University, this process of learning through collaborative annotation keeps your students engaged and makes teaching easier and more effective. Learn more.