At once a unique textbook for methods courses anda major contribution to sociological theory, this bookteaches students the principles of research and how toconstruct and test theories. It brings coherence to thestudy of methods by presenting four major approachesto experimentation: survey research, participant observation,life histories, and unobtrusive measures from asingle theoretical point of view, symbolic interaction. Itdemonstrates the need for a synthesis between theoryand methods, and shows how different methods limit andaff ect research results.

Denzin's argues that no single method, theory, orobserver can capture all that is relevant or important inreality. He argues for the use of triangulation and for aview of theory and methods as "concept sensitizers." Hisapproach enables sociologists to acquire specifi c factsabout a particular situation while simultaneously elevatingthese to the level of shared meaning.

The author shows students how to proceed withresearch, bringing sharply into focus the possibilitiesand their limitations. Since his view is integrated ratherthan eclectic, this is much more than a "how to do it"manual. Denzin points out aspects of research that falloutside the scope of a given method yet aff ect results,and emphasizes the need to employ several methods tocross-check each other. The Research Act covers all thecontent of conventional methods courses. The presentationis exciting and imaginative, and provides a thoroughreview of major sociological methods, a cogent statementabout approaches to sociological inquiry, and a sourcefrom which a understanding of the problems of researchcan be derived.

Norman K. Denzin is professor ofsociology, cinema studies, and interpretivetheory at the University of Illinois,Urbana-Champaign. He was awarded theGeorge Herbert Mead Award for LifetimeAchievement from the Society for theStudy of Symbolic Interaction. He is theauthor of several books, including TheAlcoholic Society, Children and Their Caretakers, Hollywood Shotby Shot, Sociological Methods and The Values of Social Scienceall available from Transaction.