Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Studying and Using Technology: Millsom Henry (University of Stirling). 2. Confronting the Social Character of Computers: The Challenges for Social Scientists: Steve Fuller (University of Durham). 3. What, When and How to Learn? Using Technology Effectively: Transferable Skills for the Social Sciences Student: Kate Bloor (University of Portsmouth). 4. The Computer as Tool to Aid the Interaction Between Thinking and Essay Writing: Jon Gubbay (University of East Anglia). 5. Data Sources for Social Sciences: Eric Tannenbaum (University of Essex). 6. Quantitative Research and Information Technology: Duncan Timms (University of Stirling). 7. The Theoretical and Practical Applications of IT in Qualitative Analysis: Nigel Fielding (University of Surrey). 8. Selecting Computers for Qualitative Analysis: Mike Fisher (University of Bristol). 9. The Use of Computerised Simulations in the Social Science Research, Training and Teaching: George Conklin (North Carolina Central University). 10. Simulating Social Interaction in a Virtual Reality Setting: Problems and Prospects: Edward Brent (University of Missouri - Columbia). 11. Alone@campus. edu? The Intersection of Student and Computing Cultures at the University of California at Berkeley: Nina Wakeford (University of Sheffield). 12. Future Directions: IT and Studying Social and Political Science in the Next Decade: Graham R. Gibbs and Catherine Skinner. Index.

About the Author

Millsom Henry is Deputy Director of the CTI Centre for Sociology and the Policy Sciences, University of Stirling.