本书介绍了日记法的发展历程和价值，作者们从自身实践和现有相关研究出发，阐释了如何利用日记法收集、分析和使用数据。本书不仅关注纸笔为主的传统日记法，也专门讨论了电子邮件、社交媒体等科技手段给日记法带来的改变，同时还对日记法使用过程中的学术伦理与道德问题进行了探讨，为社会科学研究领域的日记法研究提供了有益指导。

The 'What is？' Research Methods series provides authoritative introductions to a range of research methods which are at the forefront of developments in the social sciences.

Each volume sets out the key elements of the particular method and features examples of its application, drawing on a consistent structure across the whole series. Written in an accessible style by leading experts in the field, this series is an innovative pedagogical and research resource.

What is Diary Method？ provides an up-to-date, concise and engaging introduction to solicited diary method, aimed at researchers and students who want to employ this methodology in their own research. Its primary focus is on solicited diary method in the context of social and health-related research, offering useful practical guidance on using his method in research.

Ruth Bartlett and Christine Milligan draw on both their own experiences of using diary method, as well as published research studies conducted using this method. The book opens with an overview of the development of diary techniques and a discussion of the value of the method, proceeding with an outline of the different ways of collecting and using diary data and offering techniques for analysing it, Ethical issues are sensitively discussed and a chapter on the use of technology includes a discussion of how email exchanges, social media such as Facebook, weblogs and micro-blogging such as Twitter, all have the potential to change the meaning and nature of solicited diary method. A variety of visuals, including a tabulated summary of the main strengths and limitations of using diary method and strategies for mitigating limitations, are included throughout to enhance understanding of this rich research methodology.

近年来，上海外语教育出版社陆续策划推出了“外语学术普及系列”“外国语言文学知名学者讲座系列·语言学十讲”等面向入门级读者的普及性丛书，邀请学界知名专家对外国文学和语言学研究领域的基本问题进行简明扼要的梳理、归纳和介绍，受到了广大读者的一致好评，获得了良好的社会效益。

鉴于此，上海外语教育出版社又从布鲁姆斯伯里（ Bloomsbury）出版集团精选引进了一套普及性学术丛书“‘什么是’研究方法系列”，深入浅出地介绍社会科学中的常用研究方法和问题。丛书主题涉及社交网络分析、在线研究、话语分析、日记法、质性研究、质性访谈、质性研究伦理、定量纵向数据分析等领域。每一分册均以“什么是……”命名，围绕一个主题，梳理该领域发展概况，阐释关键术语，介绍前沿成果或通过案例分析展示该研究方法的实际应用情况，并通过推荐书目或参考书目为读者延伸阅读提供指导。各分册作者均为相关领域的资深研究者，思路清晰，言简意赅。

相信本丛书的出版能够满足对社会科学研究感兴趣的读者的阅读需求，引领他们进入社会科学研究的学术园地。

丛书个别分册提及一些研究网站，用于辅助论述。编辑已对网站内容进行必要的核查。考虑到网站内容实时更新，仍请读者在查阅时注意甄别。

Series foreword
1 The development of diary techniques for research
2 Engaging with diary techniques
3 Practical issues with diary techniques: Design and analysis
4 The rise of technology and its influences on diary methods
5 Exploring issues of participation, control and ethics
6 Methodological issues and future directions
Notes
References
Index