Tricks of the Trade: How to Think about Your Research While You're Doing It

Tricks of the Trade presents practical methods and techniques for conducting social science research, based on Howard Becker's decades of experience as a sociologist. The book organizes research approaches into categories like sampling, concepts, logic, and representation. Becker uses examples from his own work and that of other researchers to demonstrate how to overcome common obstacles in research design and execution. His guidance covers the entire research process, from initial observations through data analysis and writing. The text incorporates influences from art, photography, jazz music and other fields to show how researchers can draw inspiration from multiple disciplines. Short sections and clear explanations make complex methodological concepts accessible. At its core, this work challenges conventional academic wisdom about research methods and encourages scholars to develop their own creative approaches while maintaining scientific rigor. The book advocates for seeing research as a craft that combines structure with imagination.

Readers describe this as a practical guide for social science researchers that breaks down complex research concepts into manageable advice. Positive feedback focuses on: - Clear examples from real research situations - Informal, conversational writing style - Practical tips for overcoming research obstacles - Valuable insights for both new and experienced researchers Common criticisms: - Some find the casual tone unprofessional - Several note the advice can be obvious/common sense - A few mention the examples are dated Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (276 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) Sample reader comments: "Like having a chat with a mentor" - Goodreads reviewer "Helped me get unstuck multiple times during my dissertation" - Amazon reviewer "Too basic for advanced researchers" - Goodreads reviewer The book resonates most with early-career social scientists and graduate students seeking practical research guidance.

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🎓 Howard Becker developed many of the insights in this book while teaching research methods to graduate students at Northwestern University, turning common student struggles into practical solutions. 📝 The book's unique approach emerged from Becker's "tricks" notebook, where he collected helpful research techniques over decades of sociological fieldwork. 🎷 Besides being a renowned sociologist, Howard Becker is an accomplished jazz pianist who has written extensively about jazz musicians and used musical metaphors to explain social research concepts. 🌟 The book challenges the traditional academic writing style, advocating for clear, accessible prose—a philosophy Becker credits to his early career as a professional writer for a business magazine. 🔄 Many of the "tricks" in the book were refined through Becker's writing workshops, where participants would literally act out social situations to better understand them—a technique he calls "role-playing sociology."