This book offers advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students with an accessible introduction to the foundations of research in the human sciences.
It covers the tools, terminology and research perspectives that researchers and students will need to know in order to (i) engage in academic debate, (ii) successfully complete their long essays, dissertations and theses. A particular strength of this volume is its style: It is written to the student as opposed to just for them. Language is kept as clear as possible, especially when describing the basic assumptions upon which all research is built.

Introduction
The Nature of Research
The 'Nuts and Bolts' of Research
Getting Started in Research
The Building Blocks of Research
Introducing the Key Research Paradigms
The Types and Uses of Theory in Research
Introducing Research Methods
Academic Standards, Plagiarism and Ethics in Research
Conclusion: Summary of Key Points
Appendix 1: Stages of Research
Appendix 2: Glossary of Terms
Bibliography

JONATHAN GRIX is Deputy Director of the Institute for German Studies; Senior Lecturer German Studies and Research Methodology, University of Birmingham. He is the author of Demystifying Postgraduate Research. From MA to PhD (University of Birmingham Press, Birmingham, 2001).