Books by Tim May

Sociologiens særlige måde at tænke på kan komme os til hjælp i forbindelse med overvejelser om hvordan vores individuelle livshistorier hænger sammen med den historie, vi har til fælles med andre mennesker. Den overvejelse er grundlæggende i sociologien og derfor også et hovedanliggende i denne grundbog i faget.Bauman & Mays (og andres) definition af fagdisciplinen sociologi går ud på, at den skal betragte menneskelige handlinger som elementer i en mere omfattende formation (dvs. samfundet). Samfundet forstås her som en samling af aktører, der er bundet sammen i et net af gensidig afhængighed. Afhængighed forklares som en tilstand, hvor alle handlinger og gøremål er afhængige af, hvem de øvrige aktører er, hvad de gør eller måske vil gøre.At tænke sociologisk er altså det at være i stand til at analysere dialektikken (vekselvirkningen) mellem individ og samfund. En sådan analyse kan øge forståelse for den menneskelige forskellighed og dermed blandt andet være med til at fremme følelsen af solidaritet mellem mennesker. I bogens 10 kapitler diskuteres en række sociologiske nøglebegreber som fx identitet, forbrugerisme, krop og seksualitet, teknologi og kultur.Bauman & May drøfter desuden mere værdiorienterede begreber som assimilation, moral, ulighed, eksklusion og fattigdom. Der trækkes jævnligt på indsigter fra andre hovedskikkelser inden for sociologien (Bourdieu, Mead, Schutz, Elias, Foucault, Castells, Giddens m.fl.) På den måde bliver læseren præsenteret for andre ”store” sociologers begreber og deres teorier om samfundet.ZYGMUNT BAUMAN (1925-2017) var professor i sociologi ved universitetet i Leeds og er en af vor tids skarpeste analytikere af begreberne modernitet og postmodernitet i en samfundsmæssig sammenhæng. Blandt Baumans mange bøger kan nævnes Freedom (1988, da. udg. 2003), Modernity and Holocaust (1989, da. udg. 1994), Modernity and Ambivalence (1991) og Society Under Siege (2002, da. udg. 2003).TIM MAY (f. 1957) er professor i sociologi ved The University of Sheffield. Han har udgivet adskillige bøger bl.a. Probation: Politics, Policy and Practice (1991), Introduction to the Philosophy of Social Research (1996) og Social Research (2001, 3. udg.).Bogen udkom første gang på dansk i 2003 og genudgives nu i Hans Reitzels Forlags serie Klassikere.At tænke sociologisk er oversat fra engelsk efter Thinking Sociologically (2. rev. udg.) af Tom Bøgeskov.

"In this era of bountiful visual, qualitative and informationalised knowledge of the social world a conscientious guide to social research is ever more valuable...this is a knowledgeably written, highly engaging and genuinely interesting book."Dr Pamela Odih BSoc.Sc. PhD. Senior Lecturer Goldsmiths University of London, UK"A timely focus on intersectionality, decoloniality, as well as digital, participatory, collaborative methods and the relationship between knowledge, power and action, are all compelling new additions"Anastasia Christou, Associate Professor of Sociology, Middlesex University, UK"This is the best kind of companion for social researchers: a clear, concise, and practical overview of the foundations of the field...grounded in critical reflection about ethics and power, and skilfully assembled to both support and inspire."Dr Oliver Escobar, Senior Lecturer, University of Edinburgh, UK"The longevity of May and Perry's 'Social Research' is richly deserved...combining a sophisticated approach to the unity of theory, method, and context, with clarity and approachability."Malcolm Williams, Professor and Co-Director of the Q-Step Centre, Cardiff University, UK "Equally valuable for the newcomer and the experienced researcher, the book is elegantly structured and beautifully written, as is always the case with May and Perry's work."Davydd J. Greenwood, Goldwin Smith Professor of Anthropology Emeritus, Cornell University, USA Corresponding Member, Spanish Royal Academy of Moral and Political SciencesFully revised and updated, Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process 5th edition bridges the gap between theory and methods in social research and clearly illuminates these essential components for understanding the dynamics of social relations. The book is divided into three parts. Part One examines the issues and perspectives in social research, Part Two discusses the methods and Part Three is devoted to reflections on the process of research. Updates to this edition include:. Two new chapters on working across boundaries and digital research, reflecting critical developments that are shaping the landscape of social research. Broadening consideration of issues including intersectionality and de-colonial research methods, along with the relationship between knowledge, power, and action. Revised 'Discuss, Discover, Do' sections with expanded suggestions for follow-on activities. Carefully integrated reflections and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic throughout to draw attention to critical issuesThe authors aim to support and inspire, with a clear and accessible writing style that enables students to identify the key issues in social research and how to successfully navigate them. Social Research 5e is the ideal companion to social research for students across the social sciences and for academics and practitioners wishing to remain well-informed on key developments in the field.Beth Perry is Professor of Urban Knowledge and Governance, and Director of the Urban Institute at the University of Sheffield, UK.Tim May is a Professorial Fellow at the University of Sheffield, UK and an Honorary Distinguished Professor at the University of Cardiff, UK.

With coverage of both original ideas and the authors' own practical experiences, this book helps readers to unlock the importance of reflexivity and understand its benefits.

The leading experts in the field set the agenda with this book, covering the history of reflexive thought alongside a genuinely original way forward in research practice.

An introduction to the philosophy of social research which relates philosophical ideas to actual research practice. The book makes effective use of illustrations from the UK, US and Europe to examine specific problems and broader issues.