Flying Aeroplanes and Other Sociological Tales
An Introduction to Sociology and Research Methods
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd
Published:31st Dec '20
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This paperback is available in another edition too:
- Hardback£135.00(9781138554276)
This engaging textbook introduces sociology and research methods through captivating narratives. Flying Aeroplanes and Other Sociological Tales offers unique insights into real-world challenges faced by sociologists.
The book Flying Aeroplanes and Other Sociological Tales serves as an engaging introductory textbook for students interested in sociology and social research methods. Through a collection of short narratives, each crafted by a sociologist, the text introduces various sociological topics and research techniques using captivating storylines. The opening tale features a sociologist who employs participant observation to explore the life of a commercial pilot, delving into the emotional implications of autopilot systems taking over the role of flying aeroplanes.
In addition to aviation, Flying Aeroplanes and Other Sociological Tales covers a range of subjects including education, health, crime, and gender. It also includes a poignant chapter that reflects on experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic. A distinctive aspect of this book is its 'back door' approach to teaching research methods, with dedicated chapters on statistics, sampling, visual methods, and ethics, among others. Unlike traditional sociology textbooks that focus solely on what novice sociologists should do, this book addresses the challenges that can arise in research settings and offers practical solutions to overcome them.
The tales within the book highlight real-world issues faced by sociologists, such as denied field access, participant refusals, and technical failures. Each narrative prompts readers to consider research design flaws, sampling bias, and ethical dilemmas. Overall, Flying Aeroplanes and Other Sociological Tales not only provides insight into the sociologist's role but also emphasizes the importance of sociology and the consequences when it falls short.
"A book we’ve been waiting for! Reading McDonough is like listening to a kind and understanding friend who is talking specifically just to you. You listen as he tells you engaging real-life stories along with explications of the sociological ideas they illustrate. You find something about yourself in each story, and you acquire, accordingly, an intimate understanding of every sociological idea McDonough introduces. In smooth movements between story and explanation we learn the fundamental concepts of sociology, the variety of research methods used in the field, the classic texts and the key thinkers. Flying Aeroplanes and Other Sociological Tales captivates the reader, making it difficult to put the book down once one has begun reading. And yet it delivers everything one wishes to see in an introductory textbook on sociology."
Professor Phil Francis Carspecken,Indiana University, US
"In this pioneering textbook, Brian McDonough introduces an exciting and compelling new approach to the study of the sociology of everyday life. Rather than presenting a dry synopsis of social theories, concepts and methods, the author invites the reader on a journey they might take with a good friend. Recounting important moments of his personal and professional life (failing an interview, making a difficult decision on whether to vaccinate his child, queuing in a supermarket during the COVID 19 epidemic, struggling with a research project) and explaining in a highly accessible and engaging way how these can be related to the key theoretical and methodological concerns of the discipline, he shows how to feel, think and work as a sociologist."
Professor Svetlana Stephenson, London Metropolitan University, UK"A wonderfully accessible book. Focused on learning more than on teaching, McDonough presents an introductory text that is at once personal and general; it doesn't just tell us about the sociological imagination, it lives it. Students will welcome the approach McDonough takes. It invites them into authentic engagement with sociological ideas and ideals, allowing them to apply these to their everyday life, and to understand what it takes to become a social being."
Associate Professor Martin Forsey,The University of Western Australia, Australia
ISBN: 9781138554283
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 540g
216 pages