Theory and Practice of Social Sciences

This book seeks to provide the reader with a critical overview of the theories and practices in social science research. It examines different ontological positions; positivist, rational choice, interpretivist and post-modern epistemologies; area studies and comparative approaches; and interdisciplinary, qualitative and quantitative methodologies.The contents of the book will help to widen and deepen students’ understanding of the theory and practice of social research through the presentation of methodological concepts, to offer students the opportunity to explore different ontological, epistemological and methodological approaches to social research, and to increase students’ understanding of the processes involved in conducting social research and to endow students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to undertake social research and write a postgraduate dissertation or thesis.