Handbook of research skills and application: A social science approach - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

The Book

This book, written by an experienced research professional, is an invaluable guide for anyone seeking to gain a better understanding of research concepts and ideas. It is ideal for beginner graduate researchers and undergraduate students, as it covers essential research concepts across 10 comprehensive chapters. Each chapter provides independent material, allowing readers to delve further into their research interests.

The first chapter distinguishes between research methods and research methods, while the second explores the scientific foundation of research, including key concepts such as ontology and falsification. The author contextualises economic research methodology in the third chapter, using their experience collecting data in Sierra Leone to demonstrate its application in developing economies. The fourth chapter discusses research methodology in relation to econometrics, development, and sociological research context.

Chapter 5 examines the nature of research and poses critical questions about how researchers might add value to knowledge. It highlights the importance of developing a proposal plan to shape the research direction. Chapter 6 explores the research process and methodological underpinnings, as well as the rationale for conducting research and selecting research methodologies.

Chapter 7 focuses on selecting research participants, conducting research, and adhering to ethical principles. Chapter 8 discusses the essential tools for analysing data collected from research participants, while Chapter 9 provides guidance on preparing a research proposal, especially for those new to the field. Finally, Chapter 10 focuses on reporting research findings, emphasising the need for clarity and avoiding technical jargon.

The author incorporates interesting activities throughout the book to challenge researchers as they embark on their quest to explore new ideas and thoughts. This book is highly recommended for anyone conducting academic or educational research projects, as well as practitioner-researchers looking to expand their knowledge of research method and methods.

The Author

Emerson Abraham Jackson is a seasoned Sierra Leonean economist from Goderich with over three decades of experience spanning education, research, and economic policy management. He currently serves as Special Economic Assistant in the Governor’s Office at the Bank of Sierra Leone, where he provides high-level strategic and technical support and contributes to the formulation and implementation of policies aimed at maintaining price and financial stability.

Previously, he was Assistant Director in the Bank’s Economic Modelling and Forecasting Division, playing a leading role in macroeconomic framework development and evidence-based policy research. He has also served as an interim oversight member of a leading commercial bank in Sierra Leone, contributing to sound financial governance and institutional stability.

Emerson’s expertise cuts across Applied Econometrics, Educational Technologies and Data Analytics, and Economic Anthropology, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach that combines analytical rigour with deep socio-economic insight. He is widely recognised for his scholarly contributions to national and international debates on development, livelihoods, education, and economic reform.

He serves on several editorial boards, including the Bank of Sierra Leone’s Special Research Bulletin, and teaches postgraduate Financial Economics at IPAM, University of Sierra Leone. A member of the Royal Economic Society (UK) and the Econometric Society, he holds a PhD from the University of Birmingham, specialising in livelihood diversification and economic resilience in developing countries.

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