Reading social research : studies in inequality and deviance / edited by Jeffrey C. Dixon, Royce A. Singleton, Jr.

Includes bibliographical references.

"A collection of 20 studies, carefully chosen to represent a broad range of approaches and methods of contemporary social research. Selected journal articles and book excerpts illustrate the relationship between theory and research, the ethical and political dimensions of research, methods of selecting cases and measuring concepts, and various ways of gathering and analyzing data. Organized in 10 units, each unit introduces the methodological topic, provides Web resources related to the topic, presents two reading selections, and then poses questions to assess students' understanding of the researchers' methodology. Focusing on issues of race/ethnicity, gender, class, and crime and deviance, the readings expose students to substantive topics fundamental to, and at the forefront of, the social sciences. In addition, the readings provide examples of both qualitative and quantitative social research; are rigorous applications of methodological concepts; and are abridged carefully to make them accessible to students."--Publisher's website.

Preface / R.A. Singleton and J.C. Dixon -- Introduction / R.A. Singleton and J.C. Dixon -- Part I. From theory to research and back. / R.A. Singleton and J.C. Dixon. Modernization, Cultural change, and the persistence of the traditional values. / Ronald Inglehart and Wayne E. Baker ; On the Run: Wanted Men in a Philadelphia Ghetto. / Alice Goffman. --Part II. Ethics (& politics) of research / R.A. Singleton and J.C. Dixon. Appendix 1: Problems of Ethics in Research in 'Obedience to Authority: An Experimental View' / Stanley Milgram ; (How) Does the Sexual Orientation of Parents Matter? / Judith Stacey and Timoth Biblarz. -- Part III. Measurement. / R.A. Singleton and J.C. Dixon. Racial Mismatch: The Divergence Between Form and Function in Data for Monitoring Racial Discrimination of Hispanics / Wendy R. Roth ; Husbands' and Wives' Time Spent on Housework: A Comparison of Measures / Yun-Suk Lee and Linda J. Waite. -- Part IV. Sampling. / R.A. Singleton and J.C. Dixon. Sex in America. A Definite Survey / Robert T. Michael, John N. Gagnon, Edwards O. Laumann, and Gina Kolata ; Inside Organized Racism: Women in the Klan Hate Movement / Kathleen M. Blee. -- Part V. Experiments / R.A. Singleton and J.C. Dixon. Misconduct in eh Prosecution of Severe Crimes: Theory and Experimental Test / Jeffrey W. Lucas, Corina Grai,f and Michael J. Lovaglia ; The Mark of a Criminal Record / Devah Pager. -- Part VI. Surveys / R.A. Singleton and J.C. Dixon. Health and behavioral consequences of binge drinking in college: A national survey of students at 140 campuses / Henry Wechsler, Andrea Davenport, George Dowdall, Barbara Moeykens, and Sonia Castillo ; America's Liberalization in Attitudes towards Homosexuality: 1973-1998 / Jeni Loftus. -- Part VII. Qualitative field research and interviews / R.A. Singleton and J.C. Dixon. 'Cooling Out' Men in Singles Bars and Nightclubs: Observations on the Interpersonal Survival Strategies of Women in Public Places / David A. Snow ; Work, Welfare and Single Mothers' Economic Survival Strategies / Katheryn Edin and Laura Lein. -- Part VII. Content, historical/comparative and existing data analysis / R.A. Singleton and J.C. Dixon. Culture and Conflict: The Portrayal of Blacks in U.S. Children Picture Books Through the Mid- and late- Twentieth Century / Bernice Pescosolido, Elizabeth Grauerholz, and Melissa A. Milkie ; Imprisonment and Social Classification in Five Common-Law Democracies, 1955-1985 / John R. Sutton. -- Part IX. Multiple methods / R.A. Singleton and J.C. Dixon. Walking the Talk? What Employers Say vs. What They Do / Devah Pager and Lincoln Quillian ; The influence of physical and sexual abuse on marriage and cohabitation / Andrew J. Cherlin, Linda M. Burton, Tera R. Hurt, and Diane M. Purvin. -- Part X. Data analysis: Qualitative and quantitative / R.A. Singleton and J.C. Dixon. Collegiate alcohol consumption and academic performance / Royce A. Singleton, Jr. ; Identity Work Among the Homeless: The Verbal Construction and Avowal of Personal Identities / David Snow and Leon Anderson.