Ideal for students who need to understand methodologies and results, but who may never undertake major research projects themselves, this text offers an innovative, accurate introduction to social research with balanced treatment of qualitative and quantitative methods, integration of substantive examples and research techniques, and consistent attention to the goal of validity and the standards of ethical practice. This bestseller features a new chapter on evaluation research, a new chapter on research ethics, revised coverage of qualitative methods and updates throughout the text. Offering a brief, engaging, and sometimes humorous treatment of social research methods, it covers all essential elements of social research methods including validity, causation, experimental and quasi-experimental design, and techniques of analysis. It offers real data and updated examples that emphasize everyday experiences and current issues, new ethics exercises, and  contemporary coverage of web-based research methods. This text is intended for courses in Research Methods offered in departments of sociology, criminal justice, social work, communication, media studies, political science, and public administration.