Research Case Studies

‘One main case study… constitutes the basis of my research’ Paul Willis ‘Learning to Labour’ Willis research (1977) was a case study that focused on the experience of schooling of twelve working class boys known as the ‘lads’. Read the section on Willis’...

Using a Variety of Research Methods

In studying the movement known as Scientology, Roy Wallis had problems gaining access to members of the movement, who were generally unwilling to co-operate. He eventually contacted a former member who had written a book, who put him in touch with a number of other...

The Social Construction of Official Statistics

Read the section on Official Statistics, pages 219 to 222, then use the example of crime statistics to analyse another area of research – homelessness. Study the extract below and then answer the questions that follow: To most people the word ‘homeless’ would suggest...

Personal Documents as a Source of Data

Read the introduction to Thomas and Znaniecki’s study ‘The Polish Peasant in Europe and America’ (1919) on page 222. Now study the additional information below and discuss the questions that follow: Thomas and Znaniecki realised that there had been much correspondence...