Alasuutari is Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Tampere, Finland.

Leonard Bickman, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology, PsychiatLeonard Bickman, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology, Psychiatry and Public Policy. He is director of the Center for Evalury and Public Policy. He is director of the Center for Evaluation and Program Improvement and Associate Dean for Researcation and Program Improvement and Associate Dean for Research at Peabody College. He earned his Ph.D. in psychology (soch at Peabody College. He earned his Ph.D. in psychology (social) from the City University of New York, his master's degrial) from the City University of New York, his master's degree in experimental psychopathology from Columbia University ee in experimental psychopathology from Columbia University and his bachelor's from the City College of New York. Profesand his bachelor's from the City College of New York. Professor Bickman is a nationally recognized leader in program evasor Bickman is a nationally recognized leader in program evaluation and mental healthservices research on children and aluation and mental healthservices research on children and adolescents. He has published more than 15 books and monograpdolescents. He has published more than 15 books and monographs and 180 articles and chapters and has been principal invehs and 180 articles and chapters and has been principal investigator on over 25 major grants from several agencies. He istigator on over 25 major grants from several agencies. He is co-editor of the Applied Research Methods Series publisheds co-editor of the Applied Research Methods Series published by Sage Publications since 1980. He is also co-editor of th by Sage Publications since 1980. He is also co-editor of the Handbook of Applied Social Research and is collaborating oe Handbook of Applied Social Research and is collaborating on a new International Handbook of Social Research. He is then a new International Handbook of Social Research. He is the co-author of the very popular book Applied Research Design: co-author of the very popular book Applied Research Design: A Practical Guide. A Practical Guide.

Brannen is Professor of Sociology of the Family, Thomas Coram Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of London, UK.

The SAGE Handbook of Social Research Methods is a must for every social-science researcher. It charts the new and evolving terrain of social research methodology, covering qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods in one volume.

The Handbook includes chapters on each phase of the research process: research design, methods of data collection, and the processes of analyzing and interpreting data. The volume maintains that there is much more to research than learning skills and techniques; methodology involves the fit between theory, research questions research design and analysis. The book also includes several chapters that describe historical and current directions in social research, debating crucial subjects such as qualitative versus quantitative paradigms, how to judge the credibility of types of research, and the increasingly topical issue of research ethics.

The Handbook serves as an invaluable resource for approaching research with an open mind. This volume maps the field of social research methods using an approach that will prove valuable for both students and researchers.