This Handbook, edited by internationally recognized scholars in the field, provides a comprehensive, pitch perfect critical assessment of the field. The main features of the Handbook are:

Clear organization into 4 parts dealing with The Social Context of Research; Design and Data Collection; Integrating The Analysis of New Data Types; Sampling, Inference and Measurement

Clear, cutting edge chapters on Objectivity; Effects; Organizing Social Research; Correspondence Analysis; Grounded Theory; Conversational Surveys; Mixed Methods; Regression Analysis; Optimal Matching Analysis; GIS Analysis; Quantitative Narrative Analysis; Longitudinal Studies; Equation Modeling

Brings together a glittering assembly of the key figures working in the field of Methods today

Demonstrates the continuities and productive tensions between classical traditions and real world research today

'This book speaks to researchers across the social sciences, irrespective of their methodological persuasion. It brings fresh new perspectives to some of the core concerns of social science research methods; it challenges conventions and accepted wisdoms and provides pointers to an exciting future.

The editors have produced a collection of papers that bring together some of the most original and innovative thinking about research methods. The chapters run the gamut of the research process whilst moving seamlessly across methodological boundaries.

The book provides new ways of thinking about research and new ways of doing research, providing the reader with valuable pointers to their own research' - Angela Dale, Professor of Quantitative Social Research, the University of Manchester, UK