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Observing Ourselves

Essays in Social Research

Earl Babbie

Now available from Waveland Press, this highly regarded short book addresses fundamental philosophical and methodological issues involved in the scientific study of human beings. Observing Ourselves is not really a textbook; rather, it is a book of somewhat unconnected essays. It will not teach the reader how to do social research, but it will support the reader in thinking powerfully about the subject. No pat answers are provided, nor does the author try to influence the opinions of his readers. Rather, he identifies some fascinating questions that lie near the heart of one’s ability to know anything about oneself scientifically. The issues raised will engage readers and help them discover what it takes for human beings to study human beings.
 

$18.95 list, 189 pages

10-digit ISBN: 1-57766-019-6

13-digit ISBN: 978-1-57766-019-4

© 1986

“The book treats the craft and validity of research with thoughtfulness, eliciting the same degree of reflection from students.”  — Brad Breems, Trinity Christian College

“A superb collection of essays that should complement very well a regular text in social research methods.”   — Mohamed Turay, Savannah State University

“Imaginative, engaging and very useful for class discussion.”   — Susan Silbey, Wellesley College

“A fine, easy-to-read, concise and clear presentation of some of the underlying problems and issues confronting social science.”    — Steve Hreha, Champlain Regional College

Table of Contents

Part I. AN INTRODUCTION TO INQUIRY

1. Closed Answers and Open Questions

2. Truth, Objectivity, and Agreement

3. Paradigms

Part II. THE STRUCTURING OF INQUIRY

4. Determinism Versus Freedom

5. Concepts, Indicators, and Reality

6. Making Distinctions

Part III. MODES OF OBSERVATIONS

7. Quantitative or Qualitative

8. The Impact of the Observer

9. The Power of Introspection

Part IV. ANALYSIS OF DATA

10. Finding Patterns

11. Probability and Causation

12. Critical Thinking

Part V. THE SOCIAL CONTEXT OF RESEARCH

13. Scientific Closed-Mindedness

14. Value-Free Science?

15. The First Science