"This book, part manual and part travel guide, shows us how by turning some unexpected corners research, like teaching, can be seen as a deeply social and personal activity." "This book is dedicated to the notion that social research should become an integral part of the contemporary workplace. Its principal concern is with integrating different forms of qualitative research, action research and case study methods within the ambit of professional practice. In pursuit of the demystification of research it turns towards the investigation of memories and personal perceptions, drawings, journal writing and photographs as sources, with the aim of developing new directions and new possibilities for research that bring together theory and practice, method and message, social organisations and their clients. It is a vital source for all who are interested in doing research but who find themselves sceptical, critical or alienated from the research they encounter."--Jacket.