Title
The Craft of Inquiry: Theories, Methods, Evidence,Used
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Sociology is a challenging discipline, ripe with exciting possibilities. It offers sociologists the chance to choose multiple theoretical and methodological traditions that offer a full range of important questions and ways to answer them. A long standing complaint of many sociology professors, however, is that their students seem to have difficulty moving from problem formation to a theoretical approach and then onto an appropriate research design.In his provocative new book, Robert Alford proposes that the starting point for any researcher in the process and craft of inquiry should begin with an understanding of how to translate elements of his/her own history, personal experience, and issues, which can then be formulated into research questions. Alford presents three basic explanatory approaches to sociology multivariate, interpretive, and historical as well as examples of each from such luminaries as Durkheim, Goffman, Weber, Marx, and William Julius Wilson. Upon critical examination, Alford finds each of these three approaches either oversimplified or incomplete. To fill this gap, Alford proposes a tripartite approach that examines each approach through the lens of the other two and analyzes the ways these three models of explanation work and relate to one another. The text is intended to show students how research emerges from, and interacts with, theory. It is designed to help students formulate, reformulate, and pursue their own theoretically informed research, as well as provide them with the tools necessary for critically reading the research of others. Using selected examples from both classic and contemporary studies, Alford strives to illustrate the artistic, rather than formulaic, side of research design and presents several ways that research questions can be framed. He also offers a 'working vocabulary' to guide novice researchers through the maze of the process. Full of direct, lucid, and informative accounts of actual research efforts, The Craft of Inquiry is engaging and important reading for any student interested in developing strong, effective social research skills, and in becoming a better artist of the craft of inquiry.
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We ship your order within 2–3 business days for USA deliveries and 5–8 business days for international shipments. Once your package has been dispatched from our warehouse, you'll receive an email confirmation with a tracking number, allowing you to track the status of your delivery.
Returns
To facilitate a smooth return process, a Return Authorization (RA) Number is required for all returns. Returns without a valid RA number will be declined and may incur additional fees. You can request an RA number within 15 days of the original delivery date. For more details, please refer to our Return & Refund Policy page.
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Warranty
We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is 'The Craft of Inquiry' about? A: 'The Craft of Inquiry' by Robert Alford explores the fundamental aspects of sociology, focusing on how researchers can effectively transition from problem formation to theoretical approaches and research designs.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'The Craft of Inquiry' is Robert R. Alford.
- Q: What is the publication date of this book? A: 'The Craft of Inquiry' was published on March 5, 1998.
- Q: What is the format of this book? A: This book is available in paperback format.
- Q: How many pages does 'The Craft of Inquiry' have? A: 'The Craft of Inquiry' contains 176 pages.
- Q: What methodologies does the book cover? A: The book discusses three basic explanatory approaches to sociology: multivariate, interpretive, and historical, providing examples from renowned sociologists.
- Q: Is this book suitable for beginners in sociology? A: Yes, 'The Craft of Inquiry' is designed to help novice researchers understand the process of inquiry and develop their own research skills.
- Q: Does the book provide practical examples? A: Yes, it includes selected examples from both classic and contemporary studies to illustrate research design.
- Q: What can readers expect to learn from this book? A: Readers can expect to learn how to formulate research questions, critically read research, and understand the interaction between research and theory.
- Q: Is the book intended for students or professionals? A: 'The Craft of Inquiry' is primarily aimed at students who are interested in developing strong social research skills.