Books
	Philosophical Roots
	Approaches to Social Enquiry
	Blaikie, Norman (1993) Polity Press
	Have you found it difficult to get an overview of the ontological and epistemological choices available in the social sciences? Then this is the book for you. Blaikie focuses on two fundamental questions: 'What kind of science is social science?' and 'Can the methods of the natural sciences be used in the social sciences?'. He assesses the answers from seven approaches to social enquiry: positivism, critical rationalism, interpretism, critical theory, realism, structuration theory and feminism. He also considers in detail four research strategies: induction, deduction, retroduction and abduction. This book is a comprehensive critical synthesis of the philosophy and methodology of social science. It is also readable! Available From Amazon.co.uk UK Site Available From Amazon.com US Site
	Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing among Five Traditions
	Cresswell, John W. (1998) Sage
	Cresswell looks at how the type of qualitative inquiry shapes the design of a study. The types he covers are biography, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, and case studies. He compares them across six phases of research design. These phases are philosophical or theoretical perspectives; formation of research questions; data collection; data analysis; report writing; and standards of quality and verification. To illustrate his points he uses five short qualitative studies representing each of the traditions. The great value of this book is to show the diversity of qualitative analysis. Available From Sage UK Site  US Site
	The Foundations of Social Research: Meaning and Perspective in the Research Process
	Crotty, Michael (1998) Sage
	Another book (similar to Blaikie above) which demystifies the tangle of the relationship between epistemology, theory, methodology and methods. Crotty considers positivism and constructionism; different forms of interpretivism and critical enquiry; and finally, feminism and post-modernism. His purpose is to help researchers to unpack the assumptions that lay behind their research questions and to ensure there is consistency between research questions, theoretical perspectives, methodology, and interpretation. Available From Sage UK Site  US Site
	Handbook of Qualitative Research
	Denzin, Norman K. and Lincoln, Yvonna S. (eds.) (Second Edition), Sage
	The second edition of what has become a classic promises more insights into qualitative research from a whole host of new contributors. The format remains the same - moving from general considerations to specifics. It includes a chapter by Eben A Weitzman on Software and Qualitative Research. Available From Sage UK Site  US Site
	New Strategies in Social Research
	Layder, Derek (1993) Polity Press
	This ground-breaking book is aimed at researchers who a) are doing research in an area where little or new research has been done before or b) are looking to develop new lines of enquiry in areas already with a solid research-based body of knowledge. It successfully brings together theoretical issues with the more practical concerns of research. Layder's research map offers a way to locate one's research along four dimensions - context (macro social forms, such as class, gender), setting (the immediate environment of social activity (schools, family, factory), situated activity (dynamics of face to face activity), and self (biographical experiences and social environment). Taking such a multi-level approach goes against favouring one level over another. He critiques both Merton's middle-range theory approach and Glaser and Strauss's grounded theory approach but pulls together from both their individual strengths. Layder's new strategies aim to address the weaknesses in the above approaches. It is written in an accessible way so that even new researchers will be able to understand the argument. Available From Amazon.co.uk UK Site Available From Amazon.com US Site
	Critical Issues in Qualitative Research Methods
	Morse, Janice (ed.) (1994) Sage
	This collection of papers (which originate from a two day seminar) examines the dilemmas faced by practising nursing researchers on various approaches to qualitative research. Epistemological, theoretical and methodological issues are covered in a clear manner. Available From Sage UK Site  US Site