Though few students of psychology and related social or behavioural sciences go on to be laboratory-based experimentalists, traditional courses concentrate largely on the design and analysis of laboratory experiments. Many graduates do however go on to jobs where they are called upon to carry out some form of enquiry task outside the laboratory - often in complex, poorly-controlled situations. Practitioners and professionals working with people (eg. in education, health and the social services as well as in industry) are increasingly being required to be involved in similar studies. This new text gives advice and support in the carrying out of such real world research. The emphasis is on achieving rigour and trustworthiness in the enquiry through systematic procedures appropriate to the task. Particular features include an advocacy of multi-method case study as a serious research strategy alongside field experimentation and the survey; and an even-handed coverage of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Many real world studies are evaluations and their distinctive features are stressed. A final section covers issues in "making an impact", including different approaches to reporting, the place of enquiry and promoting change, and the relative roles of practitioners and researchers.
"Second editions, like movie sequels, rarely surpass the originals.
Real World Research is a stunning exception. Robson has brilliantly expanded and revised what was already the best book on how to actually do research in applied settings."
Joseph A. Maxwell, George Mason University "Even the most anxious and resistant novice will surely feel they have a new insight (and hopefully, confidence) into the various approaches to social research. Robson manages to combine cool objectivity with both enthusiasm and passion. One can see why the first edition was successful." Anthony Gale, University of Portsmouth
"This handbook will be very useful as an overview of various strategies, methods and research designs in social research, combining quantitative and qualitative research in a critical realist paradigm ... Robson′s great strengths are his writing style, overall breadth of coverage and organization huge elements needed for any book to be judged a success. This is an expert who does not intimidate or pontificate to the reader." Maximilian C. Forte, Forum: Qualitative Sozialforschung, Volume 3, No. 4, November 2002
"Colin Robson′s excellent first edition of Real World Research....succeeded because it spoke to the reader with a clear and authoritative voice that was never afraid of highlighting the problems and difficulties with conducting research in dynamic social situations ... The new edition has greatly expanded the content of the early book, but has largely managed to hold onto the clear voice and a direct relevance for the anthropological field worker ... One of the qualities of the book I find very appealing is the strength of Robson′s voice thoroughout the text; the style is almost conversational talking rather than writing, and as a result is quite inspiring." Lindsey Poole, Performance and Innovation Unit, Cabinet Office, London, Anthropological Theory, 3 (3), 393–394.
