McNeill, P (1990) Research Methods, Routledge, and Bryman, A (2001) Social Research Methods, Oxford – Reviewed

kindly inquiry is the act of inquiring into human society. The method of inquiring varies. The factors which ar taken in to report card of which method to adopt to communicate trick be influenced by a figure of factors. A certain pillow slip of inquiry could be determinationd due to the inquirers past experiences of a certain method, his/hers preferences, cost, availability of sources atomic number 18 to get wind but a few. I determine to examine Social Research Methods pen by Alan Bryman and Research Methods writ ten-spot by Patrick McNeill.Both refer to the assorted methods available to single in order to inquire ab proscribed human society. The twain tidingss ar similar in that they both(prenominal) consecrate forward papers and theories related to the selected methods they want to discuss.McNeills confine is broken bolt down into six improvident chapters, which has an informative introductory chapter into why we acquit investigate methods in sociology. At the pedigree he provides the commentator with a shortened history of sociable look for which is cooperative as it let offs why the inquiry stage is truly(prenominal) agentised. The 1960s began to saw changes in sociology which was to encourage travel along style of social interrogation and survive towards separateicipant observance.There is a clear, pellucid progression through the chapters. They begin at a basic level and on that psychefore slowly build upon points. Therefore, it caters for eachone new to the issue who can follow it through with junior-grade difficulty. For example, in chapter one, it is rudimentary for McNeills to ask in the commencement ceremony sentence, What is Sociology? This illustrates that McNeill has written the have got, trying to conciliate for individuals without the presumption that the ref has prior intimacy of the stem of sociology.The harbour is l help oneself out so that it has a number of sub-headings which brea ks down the text edition making it easier to read and conquer time for the lector to digest the information. This is a ingenuous quality beca engross it makes sure the referee is sense of smell they atomic number 18 meeting what is being written and also feeling comfortable and self-assured enough to carry on. It is liked that McNeill has make reading the script interactive by giving the lector a number of activities to complete at the end of individually chapter. This is a rattling good idea as it consolidates what the reader has read so far.McNeill states that on that point are three important concepts that are apply passim the agree reliability, validity and representativeness. This allows the reader to remain focused as McNeill has pointed out what is essential.The volume discusses a range of processes including Ethnography also cognise as scattericipant Observation in chapter four. The use of examples such Taylor (1984) and his infamous a covert study of th e London pit makes what the author say believable. Too a good deal fiction can make readers renounce the book.The book is organised so that both difficult or complex topics/issues have are provided with relevant Furthering reading. For example, The succeeding(prenominal) best thing is to read just approximately a community study. I suggest Staceys books (1960 and 1975), and those by Grans (1962 and 1967). The latter have more humour. This allows the reader to further their knowledge. This is what differentiates this book from other(a) books. This type of book is facilitatory to students in circumstances where they need to do research.McNeill uses diagrams to explain key points which are vital to aid the readers understanding. For example, Fig 7, explains the relationship between excerption of topic and the research method.McNeill goes into further full point by breaking down the stages of research. This is helpful to any(prenominal)body i.e. students studying sociology . A Level sociology students even out to members if the existence who want to learn about social research.McNeill uses a number of references to support the various pros and cons for each research method. For example, McNeill chiefs How can sociologists use official statistics? McNeill states that sociologists take these statistics at their human face value and use them as off-the-rack source of info for their research. They are cheap, pronto available, cover a long time-span, and are comp in their coverage of social life. They maybe the only source of data on the topic in question. He also provides a balanced and verifiable argument However, there are some(prenominal) problems. Since the statistics are collected for administrative rather than sociological purposes definitions and classifications made are oft unsuitable. This gives the reader a better(p) appreciation for each method. McNeill helps the reader prize which method of inquiry is good.The aim of Brymans book is to bridge the gap between theory and methods in social research. He states that it is the entranceway to the study and implementation of social research methods.When writing the book, Bryman had two readers in judging (i) Undergraduates. The research methods, the use of British examples whenever thinkable and appropriate.(ii)-Undergraduates who are wanting to conduct research projects.Bryman wanted to write a book that would be helping students make liberal decisions about doing their research. He would explore the uses and limitations in order to help with students any hesitations.We can appraise Brymans structure of the book because it is clear, accessible style with an in-depth understanding of the subject. This is clear demonstrated through the initial layout of the book as it has two parts Part one Issues and Part Two Methods used in social research. The book is split up into four parts. The first part has two chapters introducing the natural science approach as an a ppropriate framework for the study of society. This would typify social surveys, circumstance studies and experimental research. These first two chapters would apply the building blocks for the dwell of the bookThe second part has ten chapters based on three-figure research methods including sampling, design of questionnaire, structured observations. The third part has eight chapters with a strong overview of the disposition of qualitative research, including ethnography/participant observation and the analysis of this method. Finally, the fourth part has flipper chapters which take the reader beyond quantitative and qualitative.The physical characteristics of the book are one of the concerns some readers have when deciding on choosing a book to read. McNeills book is of reasonable surface as it does not look sweep over which would put off potential readers. In comparison, Brymans book is literally twice as large and as heavy and because it is substantially larger, this may come across as a daunting read. I commit it is not designed for a reader who is new to the subject, although it doesnt expect students to have any prior knowledge of the subject.The written text is clear, using a standard type and font size twelve, making it easier on the eye. The language is claimed to be well written, comprehensive and authoritative.Contrary to this view, the language has been expound to be severely convoluted.Throughout the book, it is located out so that on each page, the text is broken into two columns. This gives the allusion that there is less to read. In contrast, Brymans book is truly colourful using red, blue and common which grab the potential readers attention. This is intelligently through as it makes the book look esthetically pleasing and take outive. Though, it is believed the book is that multifaceted it requires colour to attract a reader to itA impuissance that proves to be a problem throughout the book is that Bryman reiterates and labours his points further than needed. For example, trying to explain Interpretivism in the main text. However, Bryman then reviews this in his summary key points in concussion 1.9 What is Interpretivism. This is too much for students because it is time consuming. In contrast, McNeills book is more succinct.The book has a number of Special Features, including Boxes, a Readers lam which is a route map of what is to follow. perplex Points mentioning any significant points to make a note of. Similarly, McNeills book, there are alteration questions which test the readers understanding and finally a glossary which has the definitions of central terms. The abbreviations page was very supportive because it enabled the reader to familiarise themselves with the subject matter. At the beginning of each chapter there is a contents of page, thus making it very easy to refer to. The books dumbfound to all the commonalities of a normal book.Bryman strongly advocates the use of example examples, e xamples, examples. Though it can be argued that this goes onto much more detail than is required. Hence, the reader begins to lose focus on the content. Bryman clear states the advantages and disadvantages of research methods. For example, Open Questions, the advantages mean respondents can answer in their own terms. They are not forced to answer in the same terms as those foisted on them by the closed answers. However, the drawbacks mean they are time consuming for interviewers to administer. Interviewees are believably to talk for longer than is usually the case with a comparable closed questionBrymans book would be useful for someone who is seriously interested in obtaining a full and detailed analysis of methods. This is delicate if you like illustrative books. Bryman is targeting the type of reader which enjoys detail.A positive point about the book is that it has questions at the end of chapters allowing the reader to engage in empirical work. I dont like Brymans book beca use it is focused for second year and 3rd year students and even for them it is sometimes hard to grasp what the author is trying to say. In contrast, McNeills book is very helpful because you are able to find something out, quite quickly and also understand it with little difficulty.I believe that both books are very helpful and do fill a gap in the literature. Overall, I found both books to be very helpful as they successfully enabled students to learn how to do social inquiry. They muster in the advantages and disadvantages to various methods. Although this is a good point but sometimes this can provoke the reader. On the other hand, a reader should be well informed. Though, each book is tailored to the potential readers as discussed earlier.