Coming soon · Book Profile
The Practice of Social Research
A comprehensive introduction to the logic and methods of social science research, teaching readers to understand the theoretical foundations, design rigorous studies, collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data, and communicate findings responsibly.
A profile of this book is on the way.
What it’s about
Earl Babbie's classic textbook demystifies the entire enterprise of social research, from the philosophical grounding of how we know what we know to the practical mechanics of conducting surveys, experiments, field research, and unobtrusive studies. Rather than presenting research as either abstract theory or a mechanical cookbook, the book teaches readers to understand the underlying logic of inquiry so they can make appropriate compromises when field conditions defy ideal procedures. With accessible writing, vivid examples, and attention to ethics, paradigms, measurement, sampling, and analysis, it equips students to both produce original research and critically evaluate the research of others. It is the indispensable guide for anyone who wants to investigate social life with a scientific eye while remaining humble about the constructed nature of social concepts.
The through-line
- Who it’s for
- You are a student or aspiring social researcher who wants to understand and investigate social life rigorously—to find out what is really so about human behavior and to communicate those findings credibly to others.
- The problem
- You need to design and execute valid, reliable research that can answer questions about social phenomena and withstand scrutiny. You feel intimidated by statistics, overwhelmed by the complexity of methods, and unsure whether you can truly measure intangible social concepts or trust what you read in research reports.
- The plan
- Begin by understanding the foundations of inquiry: how science differs from ordinary knowing, and the paradigms and theories that frame research.
- Structure your inquiry by clarifying its purpose, units of analysis, and time dimension, then conceptualize and operationalize your variables.
- Master sampling so you can generalize from a few observations to a larger population.
- Choose appropriate modes of observation—experiments, surveys, field research, unobtrusive methods, or evaluation research—matched to your question.
- Analyze your data using qualitative or quantitative techniques, including the elaboration model and appropriate statistics.
- The payoff
- You can design rigorous studies, collect and analyze data competently, and draw trustworthy conclusions about social life. · You can critically evaluate the research of others, spotting flaws in sampling, measurement, and inference. · You contribute valid knowledge to the scientific community and potentially bring about positive social change.
See our guide
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Additional reading
- The Organism · Kurt Goldstein
Maslow sources the term 'self-actualization' from Goldstein and builds upon his holistic view of the organism.
- Explorations in Personality · H. A. Murray, et al.
Cited as providing an 'excellent discussion' on the basic principle of centering motivation theory on goals rather than instigation or behavior.
- Social Interest · Alfred Adler
Maslow credits Adler and his followers for stressing the importance of the 'esteem needs,' which he felt were neglected by Freudian psychoanalysts.
- Wisdom of the Body · W. B. Cannon
Provides the foundational concept of 'homeostasis,' which Maslow uses as the starting point for his discussion of physiological needs.
- Multipliers · Liz Wiseman
Explores how leaders can either amplify ('multiply') or diminish ('diminish') the intelligence and capabilities of their teams, a key concept for creating a positive, low-anxiety environment.
- The Fearless Organization · Amy Edmondson
Provides the foundational research and practical steps for creating psychological safety, which the book identifies as crucial for reducing interpersonal anxiety and encouraging people to speak up.
- Mindset · Carol Dweck
Explains the difference between a 'growth mindset' and a 'fixed mindset,' which is presented as a key tool for helping employees manage perfectionism and see failures as learning opportunities.
- Crucial Conversations · Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, et al.
Recommended as a resource for employees to learn how to navigate difficult, high-stakes conversations, directly addressing the book's theme of moving from conflict avoidance to healthy debate.
- Better Allies · Karen Catlin
The author is quoted on specific, actionable steps for allyship, making her book a practical guide for implementing the principles in Chapter 7.
- Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People · Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald
Explains the science of implicit bias, which is central to the book's argument that leaders need to be proactive allies because 'not being racist/sexist' isn't enough.