Review of Seale, C., ed., 'Researching Society and Culture', London, Sage Publications, 1998, ix, 349pp., £45.00 cloth, £14.99 paper.

Abstract

This up-to-date text is conceived of, and achieves the status of, a benchmark overview of and introduction to the research methods to be used by professionals in the fields of social science and cultural studies. It also achieves two other stated objectives, namely: (a) to provide undergraduate/postgraduate students with the skills needed to begin research by following (a composite of) the models provided by the research cited; and (b) to examine fruitfully/be continually aware of the issues and methods actually involved in research. Thus the thirteen contributors both illustrate and enforce the methodologies used by each other in this collection of twenty two essays. This schema is particularly supported by the three parts, comprising philosophy, methodology, and history; the planning of research projects; and the twelve accounts of actually "doing research"; the chapter by chapter "workshop and discussion exercises"; the trenchant yet specific glossary, and a consolidated referential bibliography.