Includes bibliographical references and index.

Science, society, and social research -- The process and problems of social research -- Research ethics and research proposals -- Conceptualization and measurement -- Sampling -- Research design and causation -- Experiments -- Survey research -- Quantitative data analysis -- Qualitative methods -- Qualitative data analysis -- Evaluation and policy research -- Historical and comparative research and content analysis -- Secondary data analysis and big data -- Mixed methods -- Summarizing and reporting research.

In this exciting new Eighth Edition of his leading social research text, author Russell K. Schutt, an award-winning researcher and teacher, continues to make the field come alive through research stories that illustrate the methods presented in each chapter. Through numerous examples and hands-on exercises that help students learn by doing, Investigating the Social World helps readers understand research methods as an integrated whole. Readers will learn to appreciate the value of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and understand the need to make ethical research decisions while also learning about research on contemporary social issues like the Internet and social relations, the police response to domestic violence, the sources of democracy, the determinants of voting, the impact of disasters, and the causes of violence. Contributor to the SAGE Teaching Innovations & Professional Development Award