David de Vaus' classic text Surveys in Social Research provides clear advice on how to plan, conduct and analyse social surveys. It emphasises the links between theory and research, the logic and interpretation of statistics and the practices of social research. This sixth edition has been completely revised and updated, and contains new examples, data and extensive lists of web resources. As well as explaining how to conduct good surveys, de Vaus shows how to become a critical consumer of research. He argues that the logic of surveys and statistics is simply an extension of the logic we use in everyday life; analysis, however, requires creativity and imagination rather than the application of sterile mechanical procedures. The prime goal of research should be to gain accurate understanding and, as a researcher, use methods and techniques which enhance understanding. De Vaus advocates researchers use the method, rather than letting the method use you. Surveys in Social Research is essential reading for students and researchers working with surveys. It assumes no background in statistical analysis, and gives you the tools you need to come to grips with this often challenging field of work.

David de Vaus' classic text Surveys in Social Research provides clear advice on how to plan, conduct and analyse social surveys. It emphasises the links between theory and research, the logic and interpretation of statistics and the practices of social research. This sixth edition has been completely revised and updated, and contains new examples, data and extensive lists of web resources. As well as explaining how to conduct good surveys, de Vaus shows how to become a critical consumer of research. He argues that the logic of surveys and statistics is simply an extension of the logic we use in everyday life; analysis, however, requires creativity and imagination rather than the application of sterile mechanical procedures. The prime goal of research should be to gain accurate understanding and, as a researcher, use methods and techniques which enhance understanding. De Vaus advocates researchers use the method, rather than letting the method use you. Surveys in Social Research is essential reading for students and researchers working with surveys. It assumes no background in statistical analysis, and gives you the tools you need to come to grips with this often challenging field of work.

With this book David de Vaus has written one of the best general research methods textbooks around. The use of different types of research design as the point of departure is a different and very helpful approach to take, especially since many textbooks confuse issues of method and design. The author outlines with great clarity a wide variety of issues, including testing theories, causation, data analysis, and the main considerations involved in using the different research designs covered. Both students and their instructors will find this an extremely valuable, well-written book' - Alan Bryman, University of Loughborough

The life story of Sheldon Vanauken is one of adventure, romance, conversion, grief, and recovery. Much of this was chronicled in the autobiographical bestseller, A Severe Mercy.However, a good deal of Vanauken's fascinating life remained shrouded in secrecy ... until now. Through a process of careful historical research, including interviews with Vanauken's many friends, colleagues, and students, Will Vaus reveals to the reader the numerous facets of a complex character.

In this biography we discover: Vanauken the struggling student, the bon-vivant lover, the sailor who witnessed the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the seeker who returned to faith through C. S. Lewis, the beloved professor of English literature and history, the feminist and anti-war activist who participated in the March on the Pentagon, the bestselling author, and Vanauken the convert to Catholicism. What emerges is the portrait of a man relentlessly in search of beauty, love, and truth, a man who believed that, in the end, he found all three.

"A sympathetic, perceptive and well researched study of one of America's most important recent religious writers. Readers of A Severe Mercy are in Will Vaus' debt for such an illuminating and informative study." Alister McGrath, author of C. S. Lewis: A Life

"Van was a character - a very good one as it happens, and Will Vaus catches the actuality of this intriguing man of many parts. Very illuminating reading." Thomas Howard, author of On Being Catholic

"This is a charming biography about a doubly charming man who wrote a triply charming book. It is a great way to meet the man behind A Severe Mercy." Peter Kreeft, author of Jacob's Ladder: Ten Steps to Truth

"Vaus has masterfully captured the spirit of Vanauken, his deep desire for beauty, his mistakes along the way, and eventually his love of God. Reading this biography takes me back to the same deep emotions I have every time I read A Severe Mercy." Jim Belcher, author of Deep Church

"Sheldon Vanauken's story of C. S. Lewis, Oxford, a passionate love, and a tragic loss captured the imagination of Evangelical Christians thirty years ago. Will Vaus' biography of the author of A Severe Mercy captures the same mixture of a flawed romantic quest driven by a longing for truth, goodness and beauty, that culminates in the fullness of the Catholic faith. Vaus' book is a study in divine providence and a captivating biography of a unique and noble soul." Fr. Dwight Longenecker, author of The Quest for the Creed

"Very well written, thoroughly researched, hard to put down despite many tears - Will Vaus captures the essence of Van in this book." Marion, Davy Vanauken's daughter

Will Vaus is a popular speaker and the author of a variety of books including The Hidden Story of Narnia, Speaking of Jack, and Mere Theology.

With this book David de Vaus has written one of the best general research methods textbooks around. The use of different types of research design as the point of departure is a different and very helpful approach to take, especially since many textbooks confuse issues of method and design. The author outlines with great clarity a wide variety of issues, including testing theories, causation, data analysis, and the main considerations involved in using the different research designs covered. Both students and their instructors will find this an extremely valuable, well-written book' - Alan Bryman, University of Loughborough

If you had to describe the message of the Bible in one word, what word would you choose? Author Will Vaus suggests that "love" is what the Bible is all about; it is a love story between God and human beings. As such, it displays all the characteristics of a human love story: falling in love, jealousy, heartbreak, sacrifice, faithful endurance, separation, and glorious reunion. The message of the Bible is that the greatest need of every human being can be met, and that is the need for love. p] The Bible has sometimes been called "God's Love Letter," and in a sense that is quite true. The word "love" in various forms appears over five hundred times in the sixty-six books of Holy Scripture. Out of all of those books, love appears more often in one than in any other. That book is the First Letter of John where we see various words for "love" thirty-five times in five brief chapters. This book invites you on a journey of reading and reflection: reading the First Letter of John and reflecting on God's love for us, our love for God, and our love for one another. p] "In a world which is often devoid of meaning and where loneliness is the deep ache of our hearts, Will Vaus calls us "to turn to the one who promises to give us life and love, meaning and purpose." In this encouraging and accessible volume, Will draws on the expressive thought of his literary mentor, C.S. Lewis, and others, to call us to know the love of God both intellectually and with deep personal knowledge. Read this book and share it with your friends." p] Larry Linenschmidt, Executive Director, Hill Country Institute

If you ask most people, "What is Advent?" they will probably not be able to give a correct answer. At best, they might tell you that when they were children they opened the doors of an Advent Calendar in the days leading up to Christmas. Similarly, if you asked the average person in the street, "What are the Twelve Days of Christmas?" they might only be able to sing a few lines from the song of the same name.

In this book, author Will Vaus seeks to deepen the reader's knowledge of Advent and the Twelve Days of Christmas leading up to Epiphany. However, this book goes even further than that. Readers are provided with devotional thoughts for each day of the Advent and Christmas seasons that help them to experience this part of the Church Year perhaps in a more spiritually enriching way than ever before.

"Will Vaus leads our hearts and minds through the story of our Lord's Incarnation with daily readings, seasoned with inspiring, touching, and sometimes humorous illustrations. I found his writing immediately engaging and, the more I read the book, the more I liked it. God has touched my heart by reading OPEN BEFORE CHRISTMAS, and I believe he will touch your heart as well."

Rev. David Beckmann, Founder of The C. S. Lewis Society of Chattanooga

Will Vaus (M.Div., Princeton Seminary) is the author of several books in cluding KEYS TO GROWTH: MEDITATIONS ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES and THE HIDDEN STORY OF NARNIA.

Every living thing or person requires certain ingredients in order to grow, and if a thing or person is not growing, it is dying. What is true in the physical realm is also true in the spiritual arena. In order to grow spiritually, individual Christians, and the whole Church needs certain fundamental ingredients. The Acts of the Apostles is a book that is all about growth. Will Vaus has been preaching on Acts for a number of years. In this volume, he offers the reader forty-one keys from the book of Acts to unlock spiritual growth in everyday life.

A rich feast awaits readers to understand how to be effective witnesses to the Good News. From many years of study and preaching, Vaus throws open new windows of insight into the wisdom and truth of Acts. read it Samuel Hugh Moffett, PhD, Hon LittD, Hon DD Henry Winters Luce Professor of Ecumenism and Mission Emeritus Princeton Theological Seminary

Will Vaus combines insight into the development of the early church and the viral spread of the good news about Jesus with stories that move the heart. Take a chapter each day or every other day, let it penetrate your soul, and ask God, "In light of what I have just read, what would you have me do?" Linus Morris Global Training Network Author of The Divine Expedition: Where Are You in the Book of Romans?

SPEAKING OF JACK is the result of Will Vaus' experience in leading three different C. S. Lewis societies. Includ-ed here are introductions to most of Lewis' books as well as questions de-signed to stimulate discussion. These materials have been "road tested" with groups made up of young and old, some very familiar with Lewis and some newcomers. SPEAKING OF JACK can be used in high school or college courses, an existing book discussion group or Sunday school class, to start a C. S. Lewis Society or as a guide to your own exploration of Lewis' books.*** "With the growing interest in C.S. Lewis, the time has come for a one-volume study guide to 40 of his books. SPEAKING OF JACK is a great resource for individuals and particularly for Lewis reading groups. Sim-ple enough for newcomers, but even experienced Lewisians will benefit from Will Vaus' encyclopedic knowledge." - Dr. Joel Heck, author of Irrigating Deserts: C. S. Lewis on Education *** About the Author: Will Vaus is the author of The Hidden Story of Narnia: A Book-by-Book Guide to C. S. Lewis' Spiritual Themes, Mere Theology, and The Professor of Narnia.

When ten-year-old Anne Waller from Suffolk England wrote to C. S. Lewis in 1961 with a question about The Chronicles of Narnia she never expected to receive a reply. However, not only did Lewis answer her letter, he also outlined the spiritual themes in each of the Narnia books. That letter served as inspiration for Will Vaus to write The Hidden Story of Narnia. Nearly 50 years later, Anne Waller Jenkins has written a preface for The Hidden Story, praising the author's "gift of clarity" and the "sheer joy and merriment" of his style.

What did C. S. Lewis believe about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, heaven, hell, creation, the Fall, the forgiveness of sins, marriage and divorce, war and peace, the church and sacraments, masculinity and femininity? Lewis was not a professional theologian, but anyone who has read his writings--whether fiction or nonfiction, essays or correspondence--knows that profoundly Christian convictions permeate them all. The more one reads, the more it becomes clear that Lewis could write with charity and simplicity while preserving theological accuracy because he was well informed and thoroughly grounded in the Christian faith. Will Vaus has masterfully brought together Lewis's thought from throughout his voluminous writings to provide us a full-orbed look into his beliefs on twenty-five Christian themes. This book gives us not only a comprehensive view of Lewis's theological convictions but also guidance and encouragement for our own spiritual journeys toward the God whom Lewis found so real, personal and present.