From diaries and letters to surveys and interview transcripts, documents are a cornerstone of social science research. This book guides you through the documentary research process, from choosing the best research design, through data collection and analysis, to publishing and sharing research findings.

Part I: Starting Documentary ResearchChapter 1: Introduction What this Book is For What the Book Contains How to Use this BookChapter 2: Documents and Documentary Research What is a Document? Varieties of Document The Possibilities and Advantages of Documentary Research Documents in, or as the Focus of, Research The Purposes and Usages of DocumentsChapter 3: Finding and Reading Documents Accessing Documents Ethical Issues Sampling and Selection Issues to Consider when Researching Documents How to Read Documents Keeping RecordsChapter 4: Documentary Research in the Disciplines Documentary Research in the Social Sciences Documentary Research outside the Social SciencesPart II: Genres of Documentary ResearchChapter 5: Designing Documentary Research Documentary Research Designs Documentary Research and Other Research Designs Documentary Research in Combination with Other Research DesignsChapter 6: Literature Reviews The Nature of Literature Reviews The Functions of Literature Reviews Types of Literature ReviewChapter 7: Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Systematic Reviews Meta-AnalysesChapter 8: Secondary Data Research Secondary Data and Secondary Data Analysis Advantages and Disadvantages of Secondary Data Research Types of Secondary Data Analysis Examples of Secondary Data Analysis Where to Get Secondary DataChapter 9: Archival and Historical Research The Nature of Archival and Historical Research Types of Data and Sources Examples of Archival and Historical ResearchChapter 10: Policy Research The Nature of Policy and Policy Research Types of Policy Research Examples of Policy ResearchPart III: Techniques for Documentary AnalysisChapter 11: Analysing Documents Analysis of Written Texts Analysis of Audio-Visual TextsChapter 12: Quantitative Approaches Simple Quantitative Analysis Quantitative Content Analysis Other Forms of Quantitative Documentary AnalysisChapter 13: Qualitative Approaches Thematic Analysis Qualitative Content Analysis Discourse Analysis Conversation Analysis Narrative AnalysisChapter 14: Mixed Methods Approaches Triangulation and Mixed Methods Why and How to Combine Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches in Documentary Research Examples of Mixed Methods Documentary ResearchPart IV: Where Next?Chapter 15: Sharing and Disseminating your Research Evaluating Your Research Seminars and Conference Presentations Writing Up for Publication Planning Further ResearchChapter 16: Conclusions