This is an accessible introduction to the philosophy of social research which relates philosophical ideas to actual research practice. The book makes effective use of illustrations from the UK, US and Europe to examine specific problems and broader issues. The book is intended for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in social research methods within sociology, social policy, politics, social psychology, human geography; philosophy of social science and social theory courses; and as a personal reference for professional researchers.

Malcom Williams University of Plymouth, Tim May and Richard D. Wiggins University of Durham

Chapter 1 Introduction; Chapter 2 What is science?; Chapter 3 Philosophy, social science and method; Chapter 4 Knowing the social world; Chapter 5 Objectivity and values in social research; Chapter 6 Philosophical issues in the process of social research; Chapter 7 Poststructuralism, postmodernism and social research; Chapter 8 Conclusion;