Documentary Research in the Social Sciences

Malcolm Tight is a Professor in the Educational Research department at Lancaster University.

Part I: Starting Documentary Research Chapter 1: Introduction What this Book is For What the Book Contains How to Use this Book Chapter 2: Documents and Documentary Research What is a Document? Varieties of Document The Possibilities and Advantages of Documentary Research Documents in, or as the Focus of, Research The Purposes and Usages of Documents Chapter 3: Finding and Reading Documents Accessing Documents Ethical Issues Sampling and Selection Issues to Consider when Researching Documents How to Read Documents Keeping Records Chapter 4: Documentary Research in the Disciplines Documentary Research in the Social Sciences Documentary Research outside the Social Sciences Part II: Genres of Documentary Research Chapter 5: Designing Documentary Research Documentary Research Designs Documentary Research and Other Research Designs Documentary Research in Combination with Other Research Designs Chapter 6: Literature Reviews The Nature of Literature Reviews The Functions of Literature Reviews Types of Literature Review Chapter 7: Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Systematic Reviews Meta-Analyses Chapter 8: Secondary Data Research Secondary Data and Secondary Data Analysis Advantages and Disadvantages of Secondary Data Research Types of Secondary Data Analysis Examples of Secondary Data Analysis Where to Get Secondary Data Chapter 9: Archival and Historical Research The Nature of Archival and Historical Research Types of Data and Sources Examples of Archival and Historical Research Chapter 10: Policy Research The Nature of Policy and Policy Research Types of Policy Research Examples of Policy Research Part III: Techniques for Documentary Analysis Chapter 11: Analysing Documents Analysis of Written Texts Analysis of Audio-Visual Texts Chapter 12: Quantitative Approaches Simple Quantitative Analysis Quantitative Content Analysis Other Forms of Quantitative Documentary Analysis Chapter 13: Qualitative Approaches Thematic Analysis Qualitative Content Analysis Discourse Analysis Conversation Analysis Narrative Analysis Chapter 14: Mixed Methods Approaches Triangulation and Mixed Methods Why and How to Combine Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches in Documentary Research Examples of Mixed Methods Documentary Research Part IV: Where Next? Chapter 15: Sharing and Disseminating your Research Evaluating Your Research Seminars and Conference Presentations Writing Up for Publication Planning Further Research Chapter 16: Conclusions

A much-needed overview allowing the reader to sharpen their perspective in the realm of documentary research and to find paths to further information on different research methodologies. -- Alexander Geimer This is an excellent introduction to documentary research methods in the social sciences. Both comprehensive and accessible, it will prove an invaluable resource for students across a range of disciplines. -- Kevin Myers Malcolm Tight has written an excellent textbook on that taken-for-granted method - documentary research. He provides comprehensive and clear coverage of the whys, whats and hows of using documents for research purposes. This book is an essential read for research method students of all disciplines and an invaluable resource for their teachers. -- Rosalind Edwards Most social scientists engage in documentary research, but too few approach it with Tight's rigour. With lessons drawn from a dozen disciplines, this accessibly-written book is an essential resource for students and scholars dedicated to the empirical study of written texts and recorded material. -- Jared Wesley In clear and cogent writing, Malcolm Tight articulates not only what documentary research is but also provides an illuminating guide to different genres, techniques, and examples associated with this often-overlooked approach to social research. Documentary Research in the Social Sciences is an indispensable, go-to reference for scholars interested in doing documentary research. -- Brian D. Schultz I would highly recommend this book to researchers in all fields, and especially policy and qualitative researchers. The author's enthusiasm, expertise and understanding of DR really helps to draw the reader in, as does his clear, coherent writing style and pragmatic approach. -- Ruthi Margulis * SRA Research Matters *