Questioning the politics of numbers: how to read and critique research

The purpose of Questioning the Politics of Numbers is to offer a primer on how to read and critique research that uses numbers in the course of empirical argument. As a supplement to more comprehensive research texts, this book should contribute toward a more critical education of students and scholars interested in the politics of research. INDICE: 1: Chapter 1 How to Read and Critique Research; Understanding numbers; Deductive and inductive processes; Intrinsic value; The Political context of research; Research illustrations; Numerical literacy; Key Terms; Reflection Questions; Exercise; 2: Chapter 2 Why Do Research? Questioning the Research Context; Who produced the research?; Researchers' home institutions; Funding institutions; Permission granting institutions; What is the purpose of the research?; What are the research questions?; How is the research justified?; Why the Research Context Matters; Key Terms; Review Questions; Reflection Questions; Exercise; 3: Chapter 3 What Can We Know? Questioning the Research Design;What is the research design?; What are the internal validity concerns?; Experimental design; Quasi-experimental cross-sectional design; Quasi-experimental longitudinal design; Case study design; Questioning research designs; Why Research Design Matters; Key Terms; Review Questions; Reflection Questions; Exercise; 4: Chapter 4 Who is the Research About? Questioning Selection Strategies; Who or what is the subject of the research?; Vulnerable populations; How are subjects selected?; Probability sampling; Non-probability sampling; What are the limitations of the sample?; Why Selection Strategies Matter; Key Terms; Review Questions; Reflection Questions; Exercise; 5: Chapter 5 What is the Research About? Questioning Key Terms; How are key concepts defined?; How are variables operationalized from concepts?; What do we know about key variables?; Measurement; Assessment; Why Definitions Matter; Key Terms; Review Questions; Reflection Questions; Exercise; 6: Chapter 6 How was the Research Conducted? Questioning Research Implementation; How are data gathered?; How do researchers gainaccess to data?; Deception; Voluntary participation; Informed consent; Publicspace; How do researchers document their observations?; Recording observations; Confidentiality and anonymity; Why Research Implementation Matters; Key Terms; Review Questions; Reflection Questions; Exercise; 7: Chapter 7 What Do We Know? Questioning Analysis & Interpretation; What do we know about patterns across variables?; Significance; Strength; Causality; What do we still need to know?; Why Analysis and Interpretation Matter; Key Terms; Review Questions; Reflection Questions; Exercise; 8: Chapter 8 Questioning Research; Guideline of questions; Questioning the research context; Questioning the research design; Questioning the selection strategy; Questioning key terms; Questioning the research implementation; Questioning analysis & interpretation; Why the Political Context Matters

• ISBN: 978-0-19-974739-9
• Editorial: Oxford University
• Encuadernacion: Rústica
• Páginas: 128
• Fecha Publicación: 20/01/2011
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés