Getting the most out of the research experience: what every researcher needs to know

Abstract

PART ONE: THE RESEARCHER The Conduct of Research What is Research? What is a 'Researcher'? Images of Sociology and the Sociologist Research Roles and Researcher Characteristics PART TWO: RESEARCH STYLES, ROLES AND CONTEXTS Styles of Research - Qualitative and Quantitative Research Experience The Status and Stance of Styles of Research How important is being a researcher to you? Where do research topics come from? Networking - research as market/research as friendship The Search for Funds Research Relations in Different Social Settings Competing Research Roles PART THREE: THE 'EMOTIONAL' ASPECTS OF RESEARCH Research and 'Emotional Labour' 'Reflexivity' and the Research Experience Everyday Life Skills in Research Experiential Distraction Working with Others in Research Subjective Support Overcoming Isolation Dealing with Anxiety and Stress PART FOUR: ENTERING THE RESEARCH - THE PRESENTATION OF THE RESEARCHER'S SELF The Researcher's Self in Research Sociological Imagination and Research Practice Early Days in Research Reasons to Research The PhD Experience Research 'Hold-ups' PART FIVE:INTERPRETATION IN RESEARCH The Researcher-as-Interpreter/Theorist The Research Diary Data, and yet More Data Organising Interpretations and New Ideas PART SIX: WRITING RESEARCH Academic Writing as a Genre New Writing Practices and Representation Writing and Relations with Others Research Autobiographies and Auto/ethnography. The Researcher Account and 'Confessions' 'Writing Up' Research Writing Blockages Writing for an Audience PART SEVEN:DISSEMINATION What is 'Research Dissemination'? Dissemination and Audience Issues The Doctoral Thesis The Research Report and Briefing The Conference Paper Articles in Books and Journals Books - Proposals and Publishers The Internet Research and Teaching - the use of research in the classroom PART EIGHT:REACTION TO RESEARCH Reactions to Research Dissemination 'Self' and Audience Reactions to Research Feedback on Journal and Article Submission PART NINE: WHAT NEXT IN MY RESEARCH? End of the 'Adventure' - what next? Academic Labour and its Organisation Professional and Personal Identities in the Conduct of Research Rewriting the CV The Researcher's Life/Life as Research Career - in Academia? PART TEN: CONCLUSION - THE RESEARCHER'S EXPERIENCE OF RESEARCH Researcher Experience in Research Researcher Experience and the Emotions Researcher Insights and Reflections Orientations to the Researched Revisited