Book excerpt: Projective Techniques and Sort-Based Research Methods offers a brief introductory guide to the use of these exciting, innovative and often artistic approaches, to students and researchers who have no prior knowledge of these. This book brings together a wide range of examples of projective and mapping techniques that offer the ideal methodology for researchers wishing to collect less controlled and filtered material, that tap the deeper levels of the conscious and sub-conscious to reveal a more profound, richer and hidden level of response. It presents the techniques in a way that will enable the reader to appreciate their nature and to choose an appropriate method for their own research. Information is also provided that allows readers to design and implement their own projective or sort-based approaches. Each of the approaches the authors present are concisely described, and their usages explained, along with references and examples of the applied usage of the technique. The book is valuable reading for researchers from a wide range of academic disciplines from within the social sciences, humanities, business studies, marketing, etc. The book is an introductory guide, but it will be appropriate for use with undergraduate, post-graduate and research students. It will also be of great use to professionals working in the areas of consumer behaviour, marketing and communications.