Review

There is a vast literature relating to the conduct of social research. Some authors focus on the philosophy of social research. Some focus on one (or two) particular research method(s). Others attempt to focus on the whole methodological shebang and cover qualitative and quantitative approaches with snapshots of particular social research methods most commonly associ-ated with these approaches. More usually, like the three books reviewed here, authors focus not so much on a particular social research method but on a par-ticular methodological approach; many do this to suit particular disciplinary audiences. More often than not, the focus is on either qualitative or quantita-tive approaches. This is why the three books reviewed here stand out from other social research books: they each extend existing discussions by concen-trating on methodological approaches that are relatively new and innovativ