Getting The Most Out Of The Research Experience: What Every

Description:
'The book gives a comprehensive overview of what research and the research experience encompass...This book makes an interesting read for everyone who has carried out qualitative research or is planning to do so in the future. It is well-written, and very clearly structured' - Social Research Association. While each research situation is different and no book can fully prepare the researcher for what they experience - this book provides a guide to what may be expected. Brian Roberts takes the researcher through the research process, answering the practical and subjective questions anyone will face: entering the field and finding the right research topic; emotional and identity issues of research; overcoming writing and research 'blocks'; getting your research into reports, articles and books; reactions to research and how to handle experiences of rejection; and, the questions every researcher should ask: what do I get from research, and what next? Loaded with advice on everything from organizing interpretations to coping with stress, this book is a must-read for students of all levels across the social sciences who are about to enter the research field.

Review:
'Roberts offers an easy-to-read introduction to managing both the research process and the emotional challenges often associated with it.' -CHOICE -- CHOICE CHOICE 20071214 'Roberts offers an easy-to-read introduction to managing both the research process and the emotional challenges often associated with it. With its holistic approach and attention to almost of all aspects of the research process, this work (despite some deficiencies) should benefit beginning researchers. Summing up: Recommended.' -- R.V. Labaree 20071218

Table of Contents:
PART ONE: THE RESEARCHER The Conduct of Research What is Research? What is a 'Researcher'? Images of Sociology and the Sociologist Research Roles and Researcher Characteristics PART TWO: RESEARCH STYLES, ROLES AND CONTEXTS Styles of Research - Qualitative and Quantitative Research Experience The Status and Stance of Styles of Research How important is being a researcher to you? Where do research topics come from? Networking - research as market/research as friendship The Search for Funds Research Relations in Different Social Settings Competing Research Roles PART THREE: THE 'EMOTIONAL' ASPECTS OF RESEARCH Research and 'Emotional Labour' 'Reflexivity' and the Research Experience Everyday Life Skills in Research Experiential Distraction Working with Others in Research Subjective Support Overcoming Isolation Dealing with Anxiety and Stress PART FOUR: ENTERING THE RESEARCH - THE PRESENTATION OF THE RESEARCHER'S SELF The Researcher's Self in Research Sociological Imagination and Research Practice Early Days in Research Reasons to Research The PhD Experience Research 'Hold-ups' PART FIVE:INTERPRETATION IN RESEARCH The Researcher-as-Interpreter/Theorist The Research Diary Data, and yet More Data Organising Interpretations and New Ideas PART SIX: WRITING RESEARCH Academic Writing as a Genre New Writing Practices and Representation Writing and Relations with Others Research Autobiographies and Auto/ethnography. The Researcher Account and 'Confessions' 'Writing Up' Research Writing Blockages Writing for an Audience PART SEVEN:DISSEMINATION What is 'Research Dissemination'? Dissemination and Audience Issues The Doctoral Thesis The Research Report and Briefing The Conference Paper Articles in Books and Journals Books - Proposals and Publishers The Internet Research and Teaching - the use of research in the classroom PART EIGHT:REACTION TO RESEARCH Reactions to Research Dissemination 'Self' and Audience Reactions to Research Feedback on Journal and Article Submission PART NINE: WHAT NEXT IN MY RESEARCH? End of the 'Adventure' - what next? Academic Labour and its Organisation Professional and Personal Identities in the Conduct of Research Rewriting the CV The Researcher's Life/Life as Research Career - in Academia? PART TEN: CONCLUSION - THE RESEARCHER'S EXPERIENCE OF RESEARCH Researcher Experience in Research Researcher Experience and the Emotions Researcher Insights and Reflections Orientations to the Researched Revisited