Nigel Gilbert

`This new edition of this excellent guide maintains the standard of the original whilst taking full account of developments in both methodological discussion and the techniques of social research. The organization of the text around the research process is a great strength of the text' - David Byrne, University of Durham Preview the Third Edition's opening chapter and guide to its teaching and learning features designed to stimulate student engagement with the content here The Third Edition of Nigel Gilbert's hugely successful Researching Social Life covers the whole range of methods from quantitative to qualitative in a down-to-earth and unthreatening manner. Gilbert's text offers the best coverage of the full scope of research methods of any of the leading textbooks in the field, making this an essential text for any student starting a research methods course or doing a research project. This thoroughly revised text is driven by the expertise of a writing team comprised of internationally-renowned experts in the field. New to the Third Edition are chapters on: - Searching and Reviewing the Literature - Refining the Question - Grounded Theory and Inductive Research - Mixed Methods - Participatory Action Research - Virtual Methods - Narrative Analysis A number of useful features, such as worked examples, case studies, discussion questions, project ideas and checklists are included throughout the book to help those new to research to engage with the material. Researching Social Life follows the 'life cycle' of a typical research project, from initial conception through to eventual publication. Its breadth and depth of coverage make this an indispensable must-have textbook for students on social research methods courses in any discipline.

Researching Social Life

Corinna Elsenbroich

The book focusses on questions of individual and collective action, the emergence and dynamics of social norms and the feedback between individual behaviour and social phenomena. It discusses traditional modelling approaches to social norms and shows the usefulness of agent-based modelling for the study of these micro-macro interactions. Existing agent-based models of social norms are discussed and it is shown that so far too much priority has been given to parsimonious models and questions of the emergence of norms, with many aspects of social norms, such as norm-change, not being modelled. Juvenile delinquency, group radicalisation and moral decision making are used as case studies for agent-based models of collective action extending existing models by providing an embedding into social networks, social influence via argumentation and a causal action theory of moral decision making. The major contribution of the book is to highlight the multifaceted nature of the dynamics of social norms, consisting not only of emergence, and the importance of embedding of agent-based models into existing theory.

Modelling Norms

KIDDERMINSTER has had a colourful history, of struggle, conflict and change yet, surprisingly, this is the first complete account to have been published for over a century and the first ever chronological history of the town, wherein the author shows how one thing led to another. The medieval manor was large and extended across the Severn, incorporating what was to become Bewdley. It was a place of considerable importance from the eighth century, when a monastery was almost certainly established there, and the author discusses its transformation into a significant medieval town. In exploring the long history of its cloth industry, from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, the author fully assesses the contribution of religion to industrial growth; in particular that of the non-conformists and the legacy of the preacher, Richard Baxter, probably Kidderminster's most influential citizen. The town's story continues with the rise of the carpet industry, which made Kidderminster world famous for more than two centuries. Its progress was not easy, with a ruinous five-month strike in 1828 and the exploitation of child and female labour. Among the other social issues discussed are the unsanitary conditions of the 19th century and the attempts to solve the housing shortages in the 20th century. The detailed story of the hospital is also told, from its roots as a Victorian infirmary to the political uproar which led to the election of Dr Richard Taylor as an independent Member of Parliament. A social as well as a local historian, the author pays as much attention to the lives, work and recreations of ordinary Kidderminster folk as to the movers and shakers of local society. He also documents in detail the demolition and destruction of the ancient town centre. Fortunately many of the lost buildings are preserved in his fine collection of photographs, which add greatly to the irresistible appeal of this entertaining new book to all who live in, or near, or visit the old town

A History of Kidderminster

From Postgraduate to Social Scientist is essential reading for any postgraduate or new researcher who is interested in a career in the social sciences. The book describes the skills needed for success in moving from being a student to becoming an academic or professional social scientist. Written by experts in the field, Gilbert et al. offer a unique insider's view of how to make the transition. By adopting a clear and accessible approach, this book encourages students embarking on the journey towards becoming a social scientist to engage with every aspect of the process: - Reviewing and writing skills - Using the Internet - Research ethics - Intellectual property rights - Writing research proposals - Project management - Writing a thesis and reports - Creating presentations, press releases and popular articles - Teaching skills - Careers in social science From Postgraduate to Social Scientist is designed for postgraduate students and researchers across the social sciences. It will be invaluable for courses that aim to satisfy the Economic and Social Research Council's 'Training Guidelines' requirements for doctoral programmes. SAGE Study Skills are essential study guides for students of all levels. From how to write great essays and succeeding at university, to writing your undergraduate dissertation and doing postgraduate research, SAGE Study Skills help you get the best from your time at university.

A Guide to Key Skills

From Postgraduate to Social Scientist

Andreas Pyka

Petra Ahrweiler

This book explores how complexity science and social simulation can be used to improve and inform policy-making in both research and innovation. Beginning with an introduction to conceptual definitions of complexity science and social simulation, the book demonstrates the validity of the underlying integrated research framework used throughout. It is then divided into two parts, with the first investigating the effects and impacts of policy making on the structure, composition and outputs of research and innovation networks using the agent-based SKIN platform (Simulating Knowledge Dynamics in Innovation Networks, http://cress.soc.surrey.ac.uk/SKIN/). The second half of the book discusses a research initiative funded by the Irish government focusing on innovation policy simulation for economic recovery. This consists of empirical research on Irish research and innovation networks, and SKIN-based simulations of technology transfer issues and the commercialization of research in areas with high potential for innovation and economic growth. The book concludes with reflections on the maturity and utility of an approach combining complexity science and social simulation for research and innovation policy. Joining Complexity Science and Social Simulation for Innovation Policy will be of particular interest to scientists concerned with innovation and complex systems, including economists, sociologists, and complexity researchers, as well as students and practitioners, such as innovation policymakers and innovation business managers.

Agent-based Modelling using the SKIN Platform

Joining Complexity Science and Social Simulation for Innovation Policy

Lynne Hamill

Agent–based modelling in economics Lynne Hamill and Nigel Gilbert, Centre for Research in Social Simulation (CRESS), University of Surrey, UK New methods of economic modelling have been sought as a result of the global economic downturn in 2008.This unique book highlights the benefits of an agent–based modelling (ABM) approach. It demonstrates how ABM can easily handle complexity: heterogeneous people, households and firms interacting dynamically. Unlike traditional methods, ABM does not require people or firms to optimise or economic systems to reach equilibrium. ABM offers a way to link micro foundations directly to the macro situation. Key features: Introduces the concept of agent–based modelling and shows how it differs from existing approaches. Provides a theoretical and methodological rationale for using ABM in economics, along with practical advice on how to design and create the models. Each chapter starts with a short summary of the relevant economic theory and then shows how to apply ABM. Explores both topics covered in basic economics textbooks and current important policy themes; unemployment, exchange rates, banking and environmental issues. Describes the models in pseudocode, enabling the reader to develop programs in their chosen language. Supported by a website featuring the NetLogo models described in the book. Agent–based Modelling in Economics provides students and researchers with the skills to design, implement, and analyze agent–based models. Third year undergraduate, master and doctoral students, faculty and professional economists will find this book an invaluable resource.

Agent-Based Modelling in Economics

Rosaria Conte

Jaime S. Sichman

Fifteen papers were presented at the first workshop on Multi-Agent Systems and Agent-Based Simulation held as part of the Agents World conference in Paris, July 4-- 6, 1998. The workshop was designed to bring together two developing communities: the multi-agent systems researchers who were the core participants at Agents World, and social scientists interested in using MAS as a research tool. Most of the social sciences were represented, with contributions touching on sociology, management science, economics, psychology, environmental science, ecology, and linguistics. The workshop was organised in association with SimSoc, an informal group of social scientists who have arranged an irregular series of influential workshops on using simulation in the social sciences beginning in 1992. While the papers were quite heterogeneous in substantive domain and in their disciplinary origins, there were several themes which recurred during the workshop. One of these was considered in more depth in a round table discussion led by Jim Doran at the end of the workshop on 'Representing cognition for social simulation', which addressed the issue of whether and how cognition should be modelled. Quite divergent views were expressed, with some participants denying that individual cognition needed to be modelled at all, and others arguing that cognition must be at the centre of social simulation.

First International Workshop, MABS '98, Paris, France, July 4-6, 1998, Proceedings

Multi-Agent Systems and Agent-Based Simulation

Klaus G. Troitzsch

Ulrich Mueller

Jim E. Doran

This book gives an overview of the state of the art in five different approaches to social science simulation on the individual level. The volume contains microanalytical simulation models designed for policy implementation and evaluation, multilevel simulation methods designed for detecting emergent phenomena, dynamical game theory applications, the use of cellular automata to explain the emergence of structure in social systems, and multi-agent models using the experience from distributed artificial intelligence applied to special phenomena. The book collects the results of an international conference which brought together social scientists and computer scientists both engaged in a wide range of simulation approaches for the first time.

Social Science Microsimulation

Norman Fraser

Scott McGlashan

Robin Wooffitt

Using data taken from a major European Union funded project on speech understanding, the SunDial project, this book considers current perspectives on human computer interaction and argues for the value of an approach taken from sociology which is based on conversation analysis.

Nigel Gilbert

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