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Social research is research conducted by social scientists and which follows by the systematic plan. Social research methods can generally vary along a quantitative/qualitative dimension. Sociologists use many different designs and methods to study society and social behavior. Most sociological research involves ethnography, or “field work” designed to depict the characteristics of a population as fully as possible. The scientific method is not a single recipe: it requires intelligence, imagination, and creativity. In this sense, it is not a mindless set of standards and procedures to follow, but is rather an ongoing cycle, constantly developing more useful, accurate and comprehensive models and methods. The book is designed to be used both as a collection of readings and as an introductory research methods book in its own right.