The Researcher's Bible

About the Book

A short introduction to the major concepts and approaches used in the social sciences, especially in sociology, anthropology, and leisure, recreation, and tourism. It's an ideal supplement to a more detailed text on research methods and a guide to choose which research methods to use in a study. It also provides an explanation of different options for company owners and managers of organizations, who might want to do research or hire a research company to conduct a study for them.

The chapters cover these topics: What is research and how it differs from program evaluation
Choosing a research topic
The contribution of different disciplines to the social sciences
Different research approaches in social science research
Using observation in social research
Using qualitative and quantitative research methods
The main characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of different sampling methods
The main techniques for analyzing surveys and their advantages and disadvantages
The major statistical concepts
The major data analysis techniques
The easiest method for social research

About the Author

Gini Graham Scott has published over 50 books, focusing on social trends using a number of research methods, from in-depth interviews and participant observation to surveys and secondary research.

Some of these books include: - The Very Next New Thing (ABC-Clio 2011)
- Playing the Lying Game (ABC-Clio 2010)
- The Talk Show Revolution (ASJA Press 2008, previously published as Can We Talk?: The Power and Influence of Talk Shows, Plenum 1996),
- The Privacy Revolution (ASJA Press 2008, previously published as Mind Your Own Business: The Battle for Personal Privacy, Plenum 1995),
- Fantasy Worlds (ASJA Press 2007, previously published The Power of Fantasy, Wiley).

She received a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of California and MAs in Anthropology, Mass Communications and Organizational/Consumer and Audience Behavior, and Pop Culture and Lifestyles from California State University, East Bay. She is currently working towards an MS in Recreation and Tourism, expected in 2012.

She has an extensive background in market research, including three years working for Foote, Cone, and Belding as a project manager. She conducted a study on Investigating Homicide Patterns in Oakland that was published by the Oakland Police Department, and conducted two surveys on the arts community in Oakland for Pro Arts, an organization of about 1000 artists.

She has gained extensive media interest for previous books, including appearances on Good Morning America, Oprah, Montel Williams, CNN, and hundreds of radio interviews. She has frequently been quoted by the media and has set up websites to promote her most recent books, including: www.workingwithhumans.com, www.workwithgini.com, and www.badbosses.net.

Additional bio and promotional material is at her website at www.ginigrahamscott.com and at www.behaviorresearch.net.