What is a relevant research problem? How can I improve concepts and measurements? Which and how many variables and cases should I select? How do I evaluate rival explanations and which theoretical conclusions can I draw? This book offers practical guidelines on these core issues of design for qualitative and quantitative research in political science. It puts special emphasis on the trade-offs involved in design decisions and on illustrations from actual research.

Over the past 20 years the costs of natural disasters have escalated significantly. The lives of over 800 million people have been disrupted and the number of catastrophes has nearly quadrupled. At present, the increasing global threat of natural disasters, in spite of our increased knowledge, is ominous. With the growth in world population, the increasing of resources in newly developing areas, and the increasing cost and sophistication of engineering structures and technical installations, there is an urgent need to seek to understand the potential threats posed by natural hazards and to ascertain the best ways of mitigating their damaging effects. To meet this urgent threat, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in December 22, 1989 passed a Resolution which declared the 1990s to be the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR). As a contribution to the decade, the International Symposium Hazards--91 was held in Perugia, Italy, during 4--9 August 1991. The conference was attended by specialists from 34 countries, and a total of 110 papers were presented at 20 sessions, covering a very broad range of topics which proved to be of significant value for future research. The sixteen articles included in this book provide a unique overview of the state-of-the-science in geophysical hazards including climatic, atmospheric, hydrological and geological hazards. Furthermore, the results of a panel on the IDNDR and the recommendations adopted during the meeting are presented at the end of this volume. Recent Studies in Geophysical Hazards is thus an excellent reference source for scientists, engineers, and policy makers.

This guidebook goes beyond people analytics to provide a research-based, practice-tested methodology for doing relational analytics, based on the science of relational coordination. We are witnessing a revolution in people analytics, where data are used to identify and leverage human talent to drive performance outcomes. Today's workplace is interdependent, however, and individuals drive performance through networks that span department, organization and sector boundaries. This book shares the relational coordination framework, with a validated scalable analytic tool that has been used successfully across dozens of countries and industries to understand, measure and influence networks of relationships in and across organizations, and which can be applied at any level in the private and public sectors worldwide. Graduate students and practitioners in human resource management, health policy and management, organizational behavior, engineering and network analysis will appreciate the methodology and hands-on guidance this book provides, with its focus on identifying, analyzing and building networks of productive interdependence. Online resources include data appendices and statistical commands that can be used to conduct all these analyses in readers' own organizations.

Impact is of increasing importance to all researchers, given its growing centrality to those who fund, assess and use research around the world. Delivering Impact in Management Research sets out a detailed and nuanced analysis of how research impact is best delivered in practice. Starting with a rich conceptualisation, the authors move on to discuss models through which meaningful impact is framed and delivered. The book explains processes, skills and approaches to impact, along with examples and insights into potential pitfalls and solutions. Examples are drawn from around the world and systems such as the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) are discussed as part of a key contribution to primary debates globally. A significant contribution to the long-standing discussion about relevance in business, management and organisation studies research, this concise book is essential reading for scholars and university administrators seeking to advance their understanding of delivering and demonstrating world-class research that matters.

This book investigates how humanitarians balance the laws and principles of civilian protection with the realities of contemporary warzones, where non-state armed actors assert cultural, political and religious traditions that are often at odds with official frameworks. This book argues that humanitarian protection on the ground is driven not by official frameworks in the traditional sense, but by the relationships between the complex mix of actors involved in contemporary wars. The frameworks, in turn, act as a unifying narrative that preserves these relationships. As humanitarian practitioners navigate this complex space, they act as unofficial brokers, translating the official frameworks to align with the often-divergent agendas of non-state armed actors. In doing so, they provide an unofficial humanitarian fix for the challenges inherent in applying the official frameworks in contemporary wars. Drawing on rich ethnographic observations from the author's time in northern Iraq, and complemented by interviews with a range of fieldworkers and humanitarian policy makers and lawyers, this book will be a compelling read for researchers and students within humanitarian and development studies, and to practitioners and policy makers who are grappling with the contradictions this book explores.

This book examines the conduct and purposes of educational research. It looks at values of researchers, at whose interests are served by the research, and the inclusion or exclusion of practitioners and subjects of research. It asks if educational research should be explicitly committed to promoting equality and inclusion, and whether that requires research to be more aware of the cultural and global contexts of research questions. It explores the ethical challenges encountered in the conduct of research and the potential ethical and social justice constraints imposed by comparative research rankings. Next, it discusses the research funding aspects of the above issues both philosophically and historically, thus examining the changing sources, patterns, and effects of educational research funding over time. Since the conduct of most educational research increasingly requires institutional and financial support, the question is whether funding shapes the content of research, and what counts as research. The book discusses if funding is a factor in the shift of efforts of researchers from pure or basic research to more applied research, and if it encourages the development of large research teams, to the detriment of individual scholars. It looks at the ownership of the content, results, and data of publicly funded research. Finally, it tries to establish whether scholars solicit funding to support research projects, or generate research projects to attract funding. This publication, as well as the ones that are mentioned in the preliminary pages of this work, were realized by the Research Community Philosophy and History of the Discipline of Education: Purposes, Projects, and Practices of Educational Research.

This international and interdisciplinary collection gathers stories from researchers and research students about their methodological encounters with critical realism. Whether the contributors are experienced or novice researchers, they are predominantly new to critical realism. For various reasons, as the contributors' detail, they have all been drawn to critical realism. It is well known that critical realism can be bewildering and even overwhelming to newcomers, especially to those unfamiliar with language of, and without a grounding in, philosophy. While there are now numerous and important introductory and applied critical realist texts that make critical realism more accessible to a broader audience, stories from newcomers have been absent - especially as part of a single collection. The significance and uniqueness of this collection lies in its documentation of first-hand reflective insights on the practical use and implementation of critical realism. The contributors feature critical realist inspired research journeys in Australia, England, Scotland, Belgium, Sweden, and Spain. The hope of this book is that the stories and accounts presented in it will inspire - or at least sufficiently arouse - the curiosity of others to explore critical realist possibilities, which we believe offer enormous value to serious researchers across and within all disciplines and subjects who are interested in rigorous intellectual work with a socially progressive purpose.

Phishing for Nazis is an evidence-based, undercover study of neo-Nazi communities on anonymous communication platforms that helps to shine a light on the dark web. It unveils how hatred and conspiracies spread and thrive online and how white supremacy is becoming prominent as extremists find shelter in the online dank underbelly of society. Phishing for Nazis explains how online manifestations of hate radicalize people into taking "real-world" action, such as shooting sprees. Methodologically, this book is unique, as it incorporates undercover cyberethnography, a method frequently used by law enforcement and intelligence agencies, unlike traditional academic studies of racism or social behavior that rely on secondary sources or surveys. With a particular interest on how race issues translate online, the book presents the true phenomenon of racism without relying on political correctness or whitewashing. It contributes to the field of cyber communication, as it details why and how people communicate and manage entire communities without knowing one another. The book also contributes to public policy, regulators, and technology companies as they deal with the practice of online anonymity and extremism.

Uses an integrative approach, examining the personal, social, and cognitive dimensions of science practice. Features engaging Case Studies across sciences and time periods for reflection and discussion Largely written by students for students, with description of each author's personal connection to the scientist examined and discussion questions following each case study. Invites discussion of questions such as "What is a scientist?" "What is science?" "What does it mean to do science, and when is one doing it?" Offers scholarly commentary on the value of case studies for psychology of science (and psychology more broadly) Includes a chapter of commentary from an authority on case study method and the philosophical foundations of psychology.

1. This book offers the first practical introduction to the principles and methods of Evidence-Based Policing. While there is a growing literature on the topic, most existing books are written at a high level. 2. Pedagogical features include tables, figures and short vignettes and summaries in each chapter. Further resources will be included on the author's website, including his Podcast, Reducing Crime. 3. This book has an international market and will appeal to both students studying practical policing courses and police professionals.

Earthquakes and Atmospheric Hazards contains a selection of papers that were presented as part of the Sixth International Symposium on Natural and Man-Made Hazards (HAZARDS-96) held in Toronto, Canada during July, 1996. The Symposium was very timely, given the large number of natural disasters that have occurred in various parts of the world during the 1990s, the United Nations' International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR). The human reaction to these disasters has varied widely from one event to the next and the economic and social costs have been immense with damage running into billions of dollars. Having in everyone's mind the Northridge, California (1994) and the Kobe, Japan (1995) earthquakes, the volcanoes in the Philippines, the cyclones and related storm surges in Bangladesh, and the floods in North America and Europe caused by heavy rains, the Symposium attracted more than one hundred papers covering various aspects of these events. The eleven papers included in this volume deal with the scientific and management issues of those earthquakes and atmospheric hazards that occurred during the late 1990s, with emphasis on the preparedness aspects. A summary report of the HAZARDS-96 Symposium and recommendations adopted by the participants is also included. Earthquakes and Atmospheric Hazards forms an excellent reference for scientists, students, engineers, the insurance industry, authorities specializing in public safety and natural hazards preparedness and mitigation plans.

This book aims to provide insight into the "soft" side of real estate research and the interesting results and implications of the real estate research outside the traditional realm of investment/financial aspects. The book also attempts to answer what constitutes the so-called "soft-side" of real estate research if we shift our focus from the usual financial returns and investment analysis. It also attempts to address whether there is such thing as an alternative real estate research paradigm.

The book also argues that research in real estate should not only be limited to land and property market performance analyses as this may greatly impair the potential research implications of various real estate studies. The book argues that such analyses take on a very myopic view of real estate research.

This book will interest many who wish to learn more about the alternative aspect of real estate research which is more than just about investment analysis.

--Timely case studies offer deep analyses of vexing global problems. --Shows how world-system analysis can diagnose global challenges in a way that transcend the limits of other social science approaches. --Ideal reading in courses on world-system analysis, political sociology, and globalization

I was a regular listener of Glen Beck's program. Now and then he would challenge his listeners not just to listen to him and believe what he said but to also go out, research, and then come out with what they believed are the problems and solutions to America's problems. They would then offer these solutions with the rest of America. In this way, what is useful if adopted can be good for the American people and society as a whole. Because I believed that his message was a challenge to me, I decided to write this book and come out with what economic, political, social, civil, human rights problems the USA, plus the rest of the world, are currently facing and their possible solutions.

The Continuum Companion to Research Methods in Applied Linguistics is designed to be the essential one-volume resource for students. The book includes: * qualitative and quantitative methods * research techniques and approaches * ethical considerations * sample studies * a glossary of key terms * resources for students As well as covering a range of methodological issues it looks at numerous areas in depth, including researching gender and language, language and identity, pragmatics, vocabulary, and grammar. Comprehensive and accessible, this will be the essential guide to research methods for undergraduate and postgraduate students in applied linguistics and language studies. >

The Fourteenth International Tsunami Symposium held from 31 July to 3 August 1989 in Novosibirsk, U.S.S.R., was sponsored by the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics. Sixty-five scientists from 13 countries met to exchange information on recent advances in tsunami research. The Symposium was a great success due to the enthusiasm of the participants, the quality of research presented, and the great organization provided by the Soviet hosts. Teams of dedicated workers, under the fine leadership of Academician A. S. Alexseev and Dr V. K. Gusiakov, blended social and scientific activities in a memorable fashion. The 62 presentations of the Symposium were divided into six areas of research: generation (7), propagation (12), coastal effects (10), observations (11), seismics and tectonics (10), and hazard mitigation (12). A summary of the research presented appears as the first article in this special issue. Following the Symposium, a team of session chairmen nominated 20 of these oral presentations to be published in a special issue devoted to the International Tsunami Symposium.

Now in its third edition, Cost-Benefit Analysis has been updated, offering readers the perfect introduction to project, programme and policy appraisal using basic tools of financial and economic analysis. The key economic questions of any social cost-benefit analysis are: do the benefits of the project or policy exceed the costs, no matter how widely costs and benefits are spread, and irrespective of whether or not project impacts, such as environmental effects, are reflected in market prices? And which group or groups of individuals receive the benefits and which bear the costs? This book addresses these questions with an emphasis on putting the theory presented in the book into practice. This third edition has several attractive features: Readers are encouraged to develop their own skills by applying the tools and techniques of cost-benefit analysis to case studies and examples, including an analysis of a project which is developed throughout the book. The book emphasizes the use of spreadsheets which are invaluable in providing a framework for the cost-benefit analysis. A dedicated chapter provides guidance for writing up a report which summarises the analysis which has been undertaken. New pedagogical features, including Technical Notes and Examples, have been added as an aid to readers throughout the text. An appendix provides 14 additional case studies which can be developed in class or as assignment projects. Additional material for instructors and students is provided through Support Material maintained by Routledge. This updated edition is an ideal text for a course on cost-benefit analysis where the emphasis is on practical application of principles and equipping students to conduct appraisals. It is also a useful handbook for professionals looking for a logical framework in which to undertake their cost-benefit analysis work.

This Handbook of Quantitative Research Methods in Entrepreneurship provides an overarching perspective on the methods and approaches critical to quantitative analysis of research on entrepreneurship. Representing the research efforts of 31 internationally scholars in entrepreneurship, this Handbook offers guidance for quantitative analysts at a time of increasing availability of economic, financial and business data. Contributions focus on a range of important empirical issues, including business survival, job creation, internationalisation, bank financing and specific types of entrepreneurial activity such as social enterprise and family business. The combined chapters synthesise and experiment with useful methods to navigate and unpack crucial entrepreneurial data. Informative and accessible, this Handbook is crucial reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students looking for a broad overview of the field. It will also be useful to established academics and researchers who require state of the art research, and policymakers and practitioners, who may use this book as an indispensable guide for reflecting on public interventions in the entrepreneurial arena. Contributors include: F. Buscha, J.-L. Capelleras, M. Cowling, M. Dejardin, P. Ferreira, M. Freel, D.S. Hain, L. Han, C. Hand, R. Jurowetzki, F.W. Kellermanns, Y. Lai, M. Medaugh, B. Mi, L. Pennacchio, A. Rialp, J. Rialp, C. Robinson, S. Roper, A. Rostamkalaei, A. Sapio, G. Saridakis, J. Siepel, L. Stanley, L. Tian, P. Urwin, W. Yue, T.M. Zellweger

Causes of major disasters are many and diverse, and the risks associated with them endanger human lives, property, the environment, the economy, and even the country's political and social well-being. It is clear that, with rapid population growth, environmental degradation, climate change, poorly regulated industries, and continued economic uncertainty, the chances are that communities may become more vulnerable to disasters. The dramatic losses in recent years from volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and landslides, wildland fires, droughts and floods, cyclones and storm surges attest to the fact that we are still a long way from applying even the knowledge we have today to make communities safe. Tackling this problem requires a sound evaluation of disaster mitigation policies and tools. As a contribution to the International Decade for Natural Disasters Reduction (IDNDR), the fifth international symposium HAZARDS-93 was held in Qingdao, P.R. China on 29 August - 3 September, 1993. China is a country frequently hit by almost all kinds of disasters. Its history is one of combating natural disasters and working towards their reduction. More than 250 scientists, engineers and government officials from 20 countries met for the purpose of engaging in a free exchange of knowledge, experience and ideas regarding the scientific and socio-economic aspects of mitigating losses from natural and man- made disasters. A total of 180 papers were presented at 28 sessions covering a very broad range of topics related to disaster management. The twenty-one articles included in this book deal with the scientific and management issues of land-based and marine hazards which cause the most severe economic losses, deaths and environmental degradation in many parts of the world. The book also includes specific recommendations addressed to the IDNDR Secretariat, national governments and scientific experts to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of disaster management. Thus, Land-Based and Marine Hazards: Scientific and Management Issues forms an excellent reference for scientists, engineers, policy-makers and the insurance industry.

Learn how to write a successful research proposal with this user-friendly, step-by-step guide. Research Proposals provides practical advice on how to deal with the seven basic questions that any research proposal needs to answer: * What is it all about? * What do we already know? * What do we need to find out? * How will we get the necessary information? * What will it cost and how long will it take? * Is the research socially acceptable? * What will be produced? This is a valuable resource for students who need to conduct a research project as part of their studies and anyone who wants to submit an application for research funding. The new edition is perfect for master's students planning a dissertation, undergraduate students approaching their final year project, and PhD students applying for acceptance onto a doctoral programme. "This is an insightful and easy to use guide for students and researchers. It will support creating a research proposal for both academic programme assignments and for preparation for conducting research. The logical format is useful and very clear to read. There is an excellent appendix providing a specimen research proposal with commentary boxes highlighting the important points." Dr Alaster Scott Douglas, Reader in Education & Professional Practice, University of Roehampton, UK "Everything that you need to know about how to put together a research proposal is in this book. It's the perfect guide for students and early career researchers who are writing a research proposal and have not had much experience. Impressive in its clarity and common sense, Denscombe's practical guide tells you not just what to do but why as he takes you step by step through the process. The book is crammed with useful tips, helpful examples, effective graphics, and a great checklist appendix. Highly recommended!" Rosalind Edwards, Professor of Sociology and co-director of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods, University of Southampton, UK "This is a highly practical book about the art of communicating why your research ideas are worthwhile, feasible and should be supported. It takes away any mystery about the process and so instils confidence." Melanie Nind, University of Southampton, UK

Action Research provides support for teachers, lecturers and trainees going through the action research process. It is written in a clear and accessible style and is suitable for those studying for academic qualifications or researching for professional development, offering practical and academically sound guidance.

This is the first book of its kind to explain and detail research for practice for actors. The book has a versatile approach that offers meaningful points of intersection in a variety of performance-based contexts, and avoids enshrining a set methodology or praxis which might be perceived as conflicting with other approaches. This is a supplementary text designed to support study and training across programs of performance study.

Models of Society and Complex Systems introduces readers to a variety of different mathematical tools used for modelling human behaviour and interactions, and the complex social dynamics that drive institutions, conflict, and coordination. What laws govern human affairs? How can we make sense of the complexity of societies and how do individual actions, characteristics, and beliefs interact? Social systems follow regularities which allow us to answer these questions using different mathematical approaches. This book emphasises both theory and application. It systematically introduces mathematical approaches, such as evolutionary and spatial game theory, social network analysis, agent-based modelling, and chaos theory. It provides readers with the necessary theoretical background of each toolset as well as the underlying intuition, while each chapter includes exercises and applications to real-world phenomena. By looking behind the surface of various social occurrences, the reader uncovers the reasons why social systems exhibit both cultural universals and at the same time a diversity of practices and norms to a degree that even surpasses biological variety, or why some riots turn into revolutions while others do not even make it into the news. This book is written for any scholar in the social sciences interested in studying and understanding human behaviour, social dynamics, and the complex systems of society. It does not expect readers to have a particular background apart from some elementary knowledge and affinity for mathematics.