Research Done Right: A Practical Guide to Social Science Research

Reviewed by S. E. Henderson, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK.

Research Done Right: A Practical Guide to Social Science Research, a new English edited translation of Paul Delnooz’s 2023 Dutch book (Praktisch relevant onderzoek: hoe doe je dat?) explores how social science research has shifted from the traditional scientific techniques to more practical, applied methods, and the inherent problems this creates. Issues of interpretation, how we see reality, and the age-old debate between subjectivity and objectivity may not be adequately explored when teaching these skills. Delnooz argues that this lack can make social science research both stifle creativity in students and seem ineffective for investigating real-world issues. This book looks at how these new techniques affect the foundations of research methodology and will be of interest to those setting out on their research journey.

There are many books discussing research and research methodology, however it is always heartening to see a new book dedicated specifically to the social sciences and marketed to students. Research Done Right begins with a refreshing critique of the social sciences and thoughts on why they have not effectively managed to solve social issues. Despite the rather glib way this Sisyphean task has been broached, there is an interesting argument over how the proliferation of research techniques have developed throughout history and may no longer be fit for purpose in some areas. It has long been recognised that there are fundamental challenges in teaching research methods. As Bourdieu observed, “We must learn how to translate highly abstract problems into thoroughly practical scientific operations… [requiring] a pedagogy which is completely different from that suited to the teaching of knowledge” (Bourdieu, 1992: 221-222).

While Delnooz does cover the obligatory philosophical background to research, this potted history of empiricism and logical positivism merely highlights the changing view of science taking in issues of objectivity, interpretation, and pragmatism along the way. It is ultimately suggested that theories cannot easily be directly tested and so action research would be a more effective technique to use. This changing nature of research should challenge readers to think critically about how and why scientific inquiry is both taught and applied in real-world situations, especially in the context of the social sciences. The ‘old style’ technique of using scientific methods to operationalise research questions into hypotheses and therefore build theories is contrasted with the ‘new style’ of determining a research problem and research design focussed on solving practical issues. This thread continues through the book, with sections devoted to the possible preparation, analysis, and reporting of projects. These pointers on how to use creative thinking to frame research questions and determine areas for exploration challenge students to think beyond the conventional rules and so understand the ethical and methodological considerations that can arise when investigating social issues.

Action research typically emphasises an active collaboration between the researcher and the population of interest. It aims to bring about direct changes in environment, as well as improving the researcher’s own practices. During the process researchers need to carefully plan, develop, and critically reflect upon their chosen methodology (Vaugh and Jacques, 2020). This is further explored in Part 2, which looks at the practicalities of data collection and analysis, so challenging the "cookbook" nature of traditional research teaching. Delnooz argues that these inflexible, step-by-step instructional guides, often discourage creative problem solving and critical thinking in fledging researchers. This perspective recognises that research is an ever-evolving process, that very much depends on the researcher’s experience and approach. These latter chapters discuss topics such as research design and cause and effect, and usefully breakdown how researchers typically set up their studies, and offer appropriate critiques, before moving onto data collection techniques. Qualitative techniques are mentioned, but the main focus here is on quantitative techniques. Since the main thrust of the thesis is on scientific ideas this makes sense, but to some extent it is a shame that there is not a more balanced, mixed methods approach detailed.

Delnooz is an accessible writer; each chapter has a variety of chatty tip boxes offering informal quotes and anecdotes, along with findings sections that summarise key messages. These are a cheery way to check in with the reader and consolidate the knowledge, although here the English translations occasionally fall a little short, and some of them would benefit from further explanation. Despite this, Research Done Right does ultimately address its central two aims; firstly, to act as a guide to creative, solution- based, research dedicated to encourage reflection upon the process of research, and the researcher’s role in this, rather than a more conventional ‘how to’ instructional guide. Secondly, the author’s intention to make research and the ideas behind research methods accessible and fun.

Bourdieu, P. (1992). The practice of reflexive sociology (The Paris Workshop). In P. Bourdieu and L. Wacquant (Eds.), An Invitation to Reflexive Sociology (pp. 217-260). Chicago, The University of Chicago Press.

Vaughn, L. M., & Jacquez, F. (2020). Participatory Research Methods – Choice Points in the Research Process. Journal of Participatory Research Methods, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.35844/ 001c.13244