Documentary Research in the Social Sciences

A much-needed overview allowing the reader to sharpen their perspective in the realm of documentary research and to find paths to further information on different research methodologies.

-- Alexander Geimer
This is an excellent introduction to documentary research methods in the social sciences. Both comprehensive and accessible, it will prove an invaluable resource for students across a range of disciplines.  -- Kevin Myers

Malcolm Tight has written an excellent textbook on that taken-for-granted method - documentary research. He provides comprehensive and clear coverage of the whys, whats and hows of using documents for research purposes. This book is an essential read for research method students of all disciplines and an invaluable resource for their teachers. 

-- Rosalind Edwards

Most social scientists engage in documentary research, but too few approach it with Tight’s rigour.  With lessons drawn from a dozen disciplines, this accessibly-written book is an essential resource for students and scholars dedicated to the empirical study of written texts and recorded material.

-- Jared Wesley

In clear and cogent writing, Malcolm Tight articulates not only what documentary research is but also provides an illuminating guide to different genres, techniques, and examples associated with this often-overlooked approach to social research. Documentary Research in the Social Sciences is an indispensable, go-to reference for scholars interested in doing documentary research.

-- Brian D. Schultz
I would highly recommend this book to researchers in all fields, and especially policy and qualitative researchers. The author’s enthusiasm, expertise and understanding of DR really helps to draw the reader in, as does his clear, coherent writing style and pragmatic approach. -- Ruthi Margulis * SRA Research Matters *
As a historian by training, but now within a Business School, this is a text to recommend to my students working on research projects (any level) to think this through at a deeper level. Particularly useful insights into the different kinds of literature/systematic reviews. -- Dr Bex Lewis * drupal *
Amazingly comprehensive for its slim size and very accessibly written, this book will provide an excellent introduction for students and novice researchers. -- Dr Brett Bligh * drupal *
Much needed clear and comprehensive reference book from Tight on documentary research. -- Dr Elfrieda Fleischmann * drupal *
Excellent book about documentary research. Students find it very useful to conduct their research. -- Dr Evgenia Theodotou * drupal *
This well-organised and practical text is a good introduction for students undertaking documentary research. It introduces a variety of genres of documents and provides an outline of analytical techniques for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. -- Dr Louise Campbell * drupal *
The book interrogates all critical issues related to documentary research -- Dr Memory Mabika * drupal *
Interesting and readable introduction to the subject. -- Dr Paul Demetriou-Crane * drupal *
We need to consider a wider range of research methods and approaches that does not rely on primary research methods. This book certainly provides useful information and insights written in a clear crisp narrative. -- Dr Tom Farrelly * drupal *
This book is good for secondary data research. Chapters 3, 5, 8, 12 and 13 are especially relevant for my module. -- Dr Yujie Hu * drupal *
This book has supported the students to understand how to do documentary research. The book is comphrenshive but designed in a user friendly and accesible style. -- Miss Katie Ann Lee * drupal *
an excellent textbook that will assists students at all levels, as well as researchers -- Mr Richard Kotter * drupal *
Clearly written and accessible this book gives a useful focus to a form of research which gets relatively scant coverage in generic social research methods texts. -- Mr Robin Sen * drup