Publisher Description

'The book gives a comprehensive overview of what research and the research experience encompass....This book makes an interesting read for everyone who has carried out qualitative research or is planning to do so in the future. It is well-written, and very clearly structured' - Social Research AssociationWhile each research situation is different and no book can fully prepare the researcher for what they experience - this book provides a guide to what may be expected. Brian Roberts takes the researcher through the research process, answering the practical and subjective questions anyone will face: - entering the field and finding the right research topic- emotional and identity issues of research- overcoming writing and research 'blocks' - getting your research into reports, articles and books- reactions to research and how to handle experiences of rejection- and the questions every researcher should ask: What do I get from research, and what next? Loaded with advice on everything from organizing interpretations to coping with stress, this book is a must-read for students of all levels across the social sciences who are about to enter the research field.

Author Biography

Brian Roberts is Principal Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Huddersfield.

Table of Contents

PART ONE: THE RESEARCHERThe Conduct of ResearchWhat is Research?What is a ′Researcher′?Images of Sociology and the SociologistResearch Roles and Researcher CharacteristicsPART TWO: RESEARCH STYLES, ROLES AND CONTEXTSStyles of Research - Qualitative and Quantitative Research ExperienceThe Status and Stance of Styles of ResearchHow important is being a researcher to you?Where do research topics come from?Networking - research as market/research as friendshipThe Search for FundsResearch Relations in Different Social SettingsCompeting Research RolesPART THREE: THE ′EMOTIONAL′ ASPECTS OF RESEARCHResearch and ′Emotional Labour′′Reflexivity′ and the Research ExperienceEveryday Life Skills in ResearchExperiential DistractionWorking with Others in ResearchSubjective SupportOvercoming IsolationDealing with Anxiety and StressPART FOUR: ENTERING THE RESEARCH - THE PRESENTATION OF THE RESEARCHER′S SELFThe Researcher′s Self in ResearchSociological Imagination and Research PracticeEarly Days in ResearchReasons to ResearchThe PhD ExperienceResearch ′Hold-ups′PART FIVE:INTERPRETATION IN RESEARCHThe Researcher-as-Interpreter/TheoristThe Research DiaryData, and yet More DataOrganising Interpretations and New IdeasPART SIX: WRITING RESEARCHAcademic Writing as a GenreNew Writing Practices and RepresentationWriting and Relations with OthersResearch Autobiographies and Auto/ethnography.The Researcher Account and ′Confessions′′Writing Up′ ResearchWriting BlockagesWriting for an AudiencePART SEVEN:DISSEMINATIONWhat is ′Research Dissemination′?Dissemination and Audience IssuesThe Doctoral ThesisThe Research Report and BriefingThe Conference PaperArticles in Books and JournalsBooks - Proposals and PublishersThe InternetResearch and Teaching - the use of research in the classroomPART EIGHT:REACTION TO RESEARCHReactions to Research Dissemination′Self′ and Audience Reactions to ResearchFeedback on Journal and Article SubmissionPART NINE: WHAT NEXT IN MY RESEARCH?End of the ′Adventure′ - what next?Academic Labour and its OrganisationProfessional and Personal Identities in the Conduct of ResearchRewriting the CVThe Researcher′s Life/Life as Research Career - in Academia?PART TEN: CONCLUSION - THE RESEARCHER′S EXPERIENCE OF RESEARCHResearcher Experience in ResearchResearcher Experience and the EmotionsResearcher Insights and ReflectionsOrientations to the Researched Revisited

Review

"Roberts offers an easy-to-read introduction to managing both the research process and the emotional challenges often associated with it."  —CHOICE -- CHOICE * CHOICE *
"Roberts offers an easy-to-read introduction to managing both the research process and the emotional challenges often associated with it. With its holistic approach and attention to almost of all aspects of the research process, this work (despite some deficiencies) should benefit beginning researchers. Summing up: Recommended." -- R.V. Labaree

Review Quote

"Roberts offers an easy-to-read introduction to managing both the research process and the emotional challenges often associated with it."

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