Political Science

Exceptionally clear and well-written chapters provide engaging discussions of the methods of accessing, generating, and analyzing social science data, using methods ranging from reflexive historical analysis to critical ethnography. Reflecting on their own research experiences, the contributors offer an inside, applied perspective on how research topics, evidence, and methods intertwine to produce knowledge in the social sciences.

To the uninformed, surveys appear to be an easy type of research to design and conduct, but when students and professionals delve deeper, they encounter the vast complexities that the range and practice of survey methods present. To complicate matters, technology has rapidly affected the way surveys can be conducted; today, surveys are conducted via cell phone, the Internet, email, interactive voice response, and other technology-based modes. Thus, students, researchers, and professionals need both a comprehensive understanding of these complexities and a revised set of tools to meet the challenges. In conjunction with top survey researchers around the world and with Nielsen Media Research serving as the corporate sponsor, the Encyclopedia of Survey Research Methods presents state-of-the-art information and methodological examples from the field of survey research. Although there are other 'how-to' guides and references texts on survey research, none are as comprehensive as this encyclopedia, nor do they present the material in such a focused and approachable manner. With more than 600 entries, this resource uses a Total Survey Error perspective which considers all aspects of possible survey error from a cost/benefit standpoint.#65533;Key Features Covers all major facets of survey research methodology, from selecting the sample design and the sampling frame, designing and pretesting the questionnaire, data collection, and data coding, to the thorny issues surrounding diminishing response rates, confidentiality, privacy, informed consent and other ethical issues, data weighting, and data analyses Presents a Reader#65533;s Guide to organize entries around themes or specific topics and easily guide users to areas of interest Offers cross-referenced terms, brief listing of further readings, and stable website URLs following most entries Provides appendices that include a general bibliography to build on 'Further Readings,' an annotated list of organizations relevant to survey research, and sample survey designs and actual instruments to further offer the user guidance in designing his or her own research The Encyclopedia of Survey Research Methods is specifically written to appeal to beginning, intermediate, and advanced students, practitioners, researchers, consultants, and consumers of survey-based information.