Babbie is the absolute best companion to have in social research. I got my own copy from here after using it in class. Babbie is great for first timer's in field of social research. Everything is broken down, and he uses a lot of good examples to help you understand.
1999 edition. 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. Inductive chapter openings pose social research problems that are addressed and resolved in each chapter through the application of key chapter concepts. 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.
