I am a freelance researcher and writer with over 30 years’ experience in the UK higher education sector. I have worked as a tutor and researcher in various universities in the UK and have written a number of books, papers and articles on research methods, digital research methods, teaching research methods, learner development, study skills and returning to education. Some of my more recent books are listed below.
This book is a comprehensive introduction to a wide variety of digital research methods used in the social sciences, humanities and sciences. It provides an accessible and user-friendly guide to the vast array of digital research methods that can be used across the disciplines and in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research. These include:
agent-based modelling and simulation
mobile ethnography
data visualisation
research gamification
online panel surveys
predictive modelling
social network analysis
virtual world analysis
zoning and zone mapping
The book presents an overview for each method, provides questions to stimulate reflection and points to useful resources and texts for each research method. Key issues and research insights are highlighted throughout the text. It is an invaluable compendium that provides concise yet detailed information to help students, researchers and tutors find out, and make choices, about the vast array of digital research methods.
An alphabetical listing enables readers either to read the book from start to finish (useful for students who know very little about digital research methods), or to dip in and out of the book when readers need to find out more about a specific method (useful for tutors who need to add new content to their teaching module and reading lists, for example). Readers are encouraged to approach the book without being restricted or constrained by the standard qualitative/quantitative divide. They are able to consider mixed methods or think about alternative methods that might help them to answer their research question (with questions for reflection highlighting the importance of compatibility with epistemology, theoretical perspective and methodology).
Introduction to Research Methods, fifth edition
This is the fifth edition of this popular book, which has been updated fully to include more useful tips and advice, new references and updated contact details of relevant organisations. It also includes a new chapter on conducting experiments in social research, which will be of particular relevance to students and researchers from health disciplines, psychology and economics. The book is a practical, user-friendly guide to research methods, aimed at those with little or no prior experience. It guides students gently through all stages of the research process:
How to define your project
How to decide on a methodology
How to choose your research methods
How to conduct background research
How to prepare a research proposal
How to conduct interviews
How to conduct focus groups
How to construct questionnaires
How to carry out participant observation
How to analyse your data
How to report your findings
How to be an ethical researcher
This up-to-date, informative guide will be useful for anyone who is interested in conducting a research project, from undergraduate students to employees and voluntary workers. Technical jargon is explained in a clear and concise way, actionable tips provide pointers and practical examples illustrate issues that have been raised. This book has sold over 10,000 copies and continues to be popular amongst undergraduate students in the UK, Australia, US and further afield.
100 Activities for Teaching Study Skills
This book provides 100 ready-made, easy-to-use activities for educators who teach or support study skills at college or university. It can be used by educators across the disciplines, including the social sciences, sciences and humanities, and will appeal to tutors and support staff in the UK, US and further afield as it is not curriculum specific. Activities are divided into fourteen categories:
Study preparation
Organisation and time management
Reading
Writing
Listening, observing and note-taking
Science and maths
Independent study
Group-work
IT, assistive learning and e-learning
Dissertations, reports and projects
Research and enquiry
Critical and creative thinking
Revision, examinations and tests
Ethics and integrity
Activities encourage students to learn new skills and develop the competencies necessary for successful study, including self-confidence, self-awareness, independence of mind and metacognition. Activities include role play, games, scenarios, self-guided individual exercises, specialist talks and guided tours, digital resources, workshops, worksheets, group support sessions and individual support sessions.
Each activity includes details about the purpose, type, level and duration of the activity, along with information about the required equipment and materials, the learning outcomes, keys issues, related activities, preparatory reading and further reading. This enables educators to choose the most relevant activities, follow them up with related activities and access further information quickly and efficiently.
100 Activities for Teaching Research Methods
This book is a practical sourcebook of exercises, games, scenarios and role plays for research methods tutors, teachers and lecturers. This user-friendly guide has been developed to complement and enhance existing course materials. It is full of activities that contain clear guidance about the purpose, level and type of activity, along with a range of discussion notes that signpost key issues and research insights. Ready-made handouts are available for download from the companion website, helping to ease the workload of busy educators.
Activities are divided into seven sections:
Finding and using sources of information
Planning a research project
Conducting research
Using and analysing data
Disseminating results
Acting ethically
Developing deeper research skills
Within these sections activities cover topics such as evaluating sources, recognizing media and political bias, choosing sample size, avoiding sampling problems, defending methodology, working collaboratively, improving response rates, using visual methods, producing a code of ethics, knowing about data management, presenting to a lay audience, knowing about epistemology and ontology and hypothesizing and theorizing.
Activities can be used by all educators who teach research methods (and enquiry skills) and are applicable to a wide range of cross-curricular situations. Educators can dip in and out of the book when they need ideas and inspiration: discussion points, useful terms, related activities and further reading are provided for each activity, helping educators to access relevant information quickly and efficiently.
How to Finance Your Research Project
This book provides a complete guide to financing research. It is aimed at academic researchers working in universities and research centres; student researchers who need to fund their research; researchers working in industry and in research and development departments; researchers working for charitable and not-for-profit groups; and research managers. All academic disciplines and subject areas are covered, including the sciences, social sciences, humanities, medicine, health and education. The book is relevant to researchers working in the UK, US, EU and further afield and covers government-funded research, private-funded research and charity-funded research.
The book is divided into four sections that guide the researcher through the funding process. The first section offers advice about finding funds. It discusses the different types of funds that are available and provides information aimed at specific researchers (those working within education or industry, for example). It concludes by highlighting the importance of choosing the right funding organisation and ensuring that the research is relevant and has a chance of being funded. It also illustrates the importance of finding appropriate sources of funding before costing research projects, as many funding organisations require budgets to be produced in a specific format.
The second section goes on to offer advice about costing a project. This includes large-scale research that requires a very detailed breakdown of direct and indirect costs, and small-scale projects that only need a simple budget. Specific advice is offered about working out staff, estate and equipment costs and knowing how to work out costs for collaborative projects. The importance of producing a budget to follow specific funding organisation formats is highlighted.
The third section offers advice about making a grant application. Some grant applications need to follow a specific format, whereas other funders are more flexible with the application structure and style. However, all researchers need to highlight the importance, innovative nature and impact of their research. This section describes the submission process (which can be quite complex for some funding organisations) and offers advice about what to do if proposals are rejected.
The fourth section of the book offers advice about acting ethically. Regrettably, there are some funding organisations that have specific agendas that can compromise the research process, and researchers need to be aware of this and take action to avoid problems arising. This can occur where research and development are driven by profit, for example. Other ethical issues discussed include submitting to research ethics committees, choosing funders wisely and acting in accordance with researcher codes of ethics.
The book includes a variety of practical tips, exercises and checklists that will help researchers to apply for, and succeed in winning, grants. Insider tips, guidance and quotations from relevant members of staff working in various types of research funding organisation are provided, along with contact details of funding organisations.
Advanced Research Methods
This book is aimed at people who are intending to undertake a research project at an advanced level. This includes third year undergraduate students, Master’s students, doctoral students, research assistants, graduate school students and professionals who need to complete a social research project. It is suitable for research in social science subjects such as sociology and psychology; humanities subjects such as history and human geography; education, nursing and related fields. It guides the researcher through each stage of the research process and covers issues such as:
generating ideas and justifying your topic
costing your project and obtaining funding
choosing and justifying research methodology and methods
collecting and analysing data
treating participants with respect
conducting research that involves risk
recognizing bias
interpreting and critiquing data
producing a thesis and passing a viva
While the book provides practical information along with examples, tips and exercises that will help to move the project forward, it also covers advanced-level topics that are required for higher level research. This includes in-depth epistemological and methodological debate, discussion of the issues surrounding theory generation and information about research ethics, data protection, intellectual property and open access.
If you are intending to carry out social research at an advanced level, this book will provide an accessible, user-friendly guide that will enable you to complete your project. It will also enable you to understand more about the higher-level thinking and analysis required for advanced social research projects.
Basic Study Skills
This book is aimed at students who are studying at college and university, adult learners, access students and those on correspondence, distance or online courses. It is of particular value for people who have been out of the learning environment for some time and are lacking the confidence to re-enter the educational system. The book covers all aspects of study skills and development, including:
Understanding how to learn
Training your mind and body to learn
Improving concentration and memory
Juggling work, study and play
Improving reading speed
Knowing how to punctuate
Improving your vocabulary
Developing a concise writing style
Understanding plagiarism
Learning how to question
Questioning scientific information
Understanding charts, tables and graphs
Using databases
Improving technical skills
Working with your tutor
The user-friendly and accessible format enables readers to dip in and out of the book whenever they need to brush up on a particular skill. It also includes useful exercises, addresses, websites and further reading for those who wish to follow up the information provided in the book.
Apprenticeships
This book provides a complete guide to apprenticeships. It contains frequently asked questions from students, parents and jobseekers and is packed with quotations, case studies, useful advice, practical checklists and self-assessment questionnaires. It also contains useful websites and addresses of relevant organisations. Specific areas covered include:
Finding out what is available
Getting ahead of competitors
Researching potential employers
Understanding the application process
Making the most of your previous experience
Making the most of your qualifications
Preparing for interviews and assessments
Understanding your rights
Balancing training and work
Managing your money
Developing transferable skills
The book is aimed at school leavers and adult learners and is the only resource you'll need to make an informed decision. With information on funding, your rights, developing skills as well as information on key national and regional learning providers, this book will give you the confidence and knowledge to pursue your chosen career and find success in that career.
The Mature Student’s Study Guide
This book is aimed at people who have been away from the education system for some time, who wish to return but are unsure about their ability to study. This inspiring and user-friendly book guides adults through all aspects of the returning process, including:
Learning how to learn
Preparing for study
Organising study
Enhancing reading skills
Enhancing writing skills
Getting the most out of lectures and seminars
Developing group-work skills
Mastering distance and e-learning
Making the most of ICT
Producing successful assignments
Mastering research techniques
Developing analytical skills
Conquering oral presentations
Completing your dissertation
Passing exams
Coping with the pressures of study
Making the most of learner support services
Returning to education can be a daunting process for some adults. However, this book will guide you through each step, offering practical tips, examples and advice that will enable you to feel more confident about your studies and succeed on your course.
100 Activities for Teaching Research Ethics and Integrity
100 Activities for Teaching Research Ethics and Integrity is a sourcebook of original activities for educators teaching about research ethics and integrity. This practical, user-friendly guide contains a wide variety of ready-made activities including role-plays, scenarios, case studies and individual self-guided exercises. These activities encourage students to reflect on and develop their knowledge, understanding and awareness of research ethics and integrity for project work, dissertations, theses and funded research.
Activities are divided into eight sections:
Moral and social imperatives
Researcher and institution conduct
Compliance with policy, standard or law
Digital technology, software and tools
Data collection
Data analysis
Data management
Results and outputs
Activities equip students with the ability to identify, analyse and find solutions to questions relating to research ethics and integrity when working on assignments, extended projects, dissertations, theses, research projects and on into their personal and professional lives. They enable students to reflect on their ethical values, develop their understanding of research ethics and integrity in disciplinary and interdisciplinary contexts, and encourage them to relate their learning to their studies and research practice.
A variety of approaches to learning are adopted, including face-to-face, online, blended, experiential, collaborative, peer-to-peer, interactive and experiential learning. These innovative and enjoyable activities increase student engagement and motivation, encouraging them to explore pertinent issues, develop ideas, seek new insight and adopt best practice for their studies, research and on into their professional lives.
