Multimethod Research: A Synthesis of Styles (SAGE Library of Social Research) Book

Fieldwork surveys, experiments and nonreactive studies -- while each method can provide valid information about social science phenomena, they unfortunately have inherent limitations. Each method differs in terms of the data generated and in their vulnerability to error. Multimethod Research offers an explanation of how a planned synthesis of these various research techniques can be purposely used to improve social science knowledge. The authors discuss the many aspects of the multimethod research approach including: the formulation of research problems, data collection, sampling and generalization, reliability and validity, hypothesis testing and causal analysis, and writing and publicizing results. They conclude with a discussion of the place multimethod research has within the social sciences and its future direction. Multimethod Research introduces both the student and professional to a more effective approach to social science research -- an approach which opens up new avenues for future research.Read More