Doing Your Research Project with Documents
A Step-By-Step Guide to Take You from Start to Finish
By Aimee Grant
Published
Mar 15, 2022Page count
220 pagesISBN
978-1447344032Dimensions
240 x 172 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Mar 15, 2022Page count
220 pagesISBN
978-1447344049Dimensions
240 x 172 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Mar 15, 2022Page count
220 pagesISBN
978-1447344049Dimensions
240 x 172 mmImprint
Policy PressRead the first three chapters for free:
In the media
On our blog: Documentary analysis: the research method that can level the playing field
Doing your research project with documents: a step-by-step guide to take you from start
to finish in the Social Research Association
Students and researchers have an abundance of materials and sources available to them via the internet for use in their projects. However, there is little practical guidance available on the fundamentals of performing qualitative research with documents.
This valuable book enables readers to undertake high-quality, robust research using documents as data. Encouraging critical consideration of research design, the book guides readers step-by-step through the process of planning and undertaking a research project based on documentary analysis. It covers selecting a research topic and sample through to analysing and writing up the data.
The book includes:
• a wealth of case studies demonstrating how lessons can be applied in practice;
• summary boxes and suggestions for further reading in each chapter to guide learning;
• helpful online resources to facilitate designing your own research.
Accessible and comprehensive, this book will be invaluable for both students and researchers alike who are new to documentary analysis.
All the resources included in this book are available to download on the book’s webpage at https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/doing-your-research-project-with-documents/online-resources. Look for the Online Resources logo throughout the book.
Aimee Grant is a qualitative researcher with a long-standing interest in documentary analysis. She is based at Swansea University’s Centre for Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translational Research.
Introduction
PART I: GETTING GOING
Working productively
Working with your supervisor
Working ethically
Working reflexively and safely
PART II: MAKING DECISIONS
Reviewing literature and writing your literature review
Finding sources
Choosing an analysis approach
Writing research questions and your methods chapter
PART III: GETTING IT DONE!
Collecting and analysing data and writing your results chapter
Assessing data quality and writing your discussion chapter
Creating the final dissertation
Concluding remarks