A concise, affordable paperback research methods text from Earl Babbie, who defined how to teach the research methods course with the publication of THE PRACTICE OF SOCIAL RESEARCH. The streamlined Second Edition of THE BASICS OF SOCIAL RESEARCH emphasizes the fundamental concepts of both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Inductive chapter openings pose social research problems that are addressed and resolved in each chapter through the application of key chapter concepts. Each chapter contains detailed examples, and new sections on how to interpret the results of data analysis. The second edition features increased technology integration as well. SPSS, MicroCase, HyperResearch, and NVIVO statistical software examples are given throughout the text. Web icons indicate where practice exercises and tutorials are available on the companion web site. The text provides students with the necessary tools for understanding the basics of social research methods, and for applying these concepts both inside and outside the classroom.