Methods in Psychological Research
1st Edition
Published on 12. February 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
408 pages
978-1-4129-2485-6 (ISBN)
Description
Methods in Psychological Research is pedagogically driven, interactive, and highly applied to engage and motivate students. This brief and basic introduction to research methods in psychology is presented in a relaxed style, at a moderate level of detail, and with a rich mix of pedagogy to engage and motivate students from a variety of backgrounds and academic preparation.
The authors focus on applying concepts students are learning, and they emphasize doing research with simple in-text exercises that provide a more interactive feel than found in most methods textbooks. They also provide examples of real psychology research, both from the research literature and, uniquely, from student research projects. This friendly and supportive presentation of the basics conveys to students the excitement and fun of the research enterprise and involves them in `doing' research, not just memorizing another term for an exam.
The authors focus on applying concepts students are learning, and they emphasize doing research with simple in-text exercises that provide a more interactive feel than found in most methods textbooks. They also provide examples of real psychology research, both from the research literature and, uniquely, from student research projects. This friendly and supportive presentation of the basics conveys to students the excitement and fun of the research enterprise and involves them in `doing' research, not just memorizing another term for an exam.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Thousand Oaks
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 232 mm
Width: 187 mm
Weight
652 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4129-2485-6 (9781412924856)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Annabel Ness Evans | Bryan J. Rooney
Methods in Psychological Research
Book
09/2010
2nd Edition
SAGE Publications Inc
€88.09
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Annabel Ness Evans received her PhD in cognitive psychology from the University of Alberta in 1979.
She was the Chair of the Department of Psychology at Concordia University of Edmonton from 1975 until 2013, when she retired as Professor Emerita to muddle about in her garden, ski her brains out, and basically have a really good time.
She has written two previous texts. Her Using Basic Statistics in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (2014) is in its fifth edition and is available from Sage. She has coauthored a book, Principles of Behavior Analysis (1994), with Lyle Grant.
Annabel's sons, Christiaan, Marcus, and Luke, are grown and on their own so she lives with her Havanese dog, Skye, who has shown a notable lack of interest in psychological research.
Bryan J. Rooney is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Concordia University of Edmonton. He enjoys teaching research methods and finds the process of helping students design and implement their own research projects particularly rewarding. When students learn about research by developing their own projects, they experience the frustrations, excitements, and occasional disappointments that are part of the process. They also discover how fun it is to seek answers to questions that pique their curiosity. He has taught research methods for over 15 years and also teaches introductory and intermediate statistics. His research background is in visual and auditory sensation and perception, and more recent interests include quality-of-life issues for people with dementia. When he is not involved in the life of his busy family, you can find him skiing or riding his motorcycles depending on the season. He earned his PhD in psychology from Carleton University in Ottawa and his BSc and MSc from the University of Calgary.
She was the Chair of the Department of Psychology at Concordia University of Edmonton from 1975 until 2013, when she retired as Professor Emerita to muddle about in her garden, ski her brains out, and basically have a really good time.
She has written two previous texts. Her Using Basic Statistics in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (2014) is in its fifth edition and is available from Sage. She has coauthored a book, Principles of Behavior Analysis (1994), with Lyle Grant.
Annabel's sons, Christiaan, Marcus, and Luke, are grown and on their own so she lives with her Havanese dog, Skye, who has shown a notable lack of interest in psychological research.
Bryan J. Rooney is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Concordia University of Edmonton. He enjoys teaching research methods and finds the process of helping students design and implement their own research projects particularly rewarding. When students learn about research by developing their own projects, they experience the frustrations, excitements, and occasional disappointments that are part of the process. They also discover how fun it is to seek answers to questions that pique their curiosity. He has taught research methods for over 15 years and also teaches introductory and intermediate statistics. His research background is in visual and auditory sensation and perception, and more recent interests include quality-of-life issues for people with dementia. When he is not involved in the life of his busy family, you can find him skiing or riding his motorcycles depending on the season. He earned his PhD in psychology from Carleton University in Ottawa and his BSc and MSc from the University of Calgary.
Content
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. Introduction to Research in Psychology
Objectives
Acquiring Knowledge About the World
Psychology--Science and Art
Critical Thinking
Objectives of Science
The Tenets of Science
The Scientific Method
Theories, Concepts, and Hypotheses
Why We Do Research
Approaches to Research
Steps in Planning and Doing Research
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
2. Understanding the Research Literature
Objectives
Searching the Literature
The Research Article
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
3. Research In Psychology: An Ethical Enterprise
Objectives
General Principles
Ethical Standards
Special Populations
Internet Research
Bias and Intellectual Honesty
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
4. Hypothesis Testing, Power, and Control: A Review of the Basics
Objectives
Three Levels of Hypotheses
Testing the Null Hypothesis
Statistical Significance
Inferential Errors: Type I and Type II
Power and How to Increase It
Effect Size
Power and the Role of Replication in Research
External and Internal Validity
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
5. Measuring Variables
Objectives
Ways of Asking Questions
Measuring Observed Behavior
The Importance of Precision in Measurement
Tests, Scales, and Inventories
Commercially Available Tests and Inventories
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
6. Selecting Research Participants
Objectives
Sampling Methods
Sample and Effect Size
Power Revisited
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
Reference
7. Experimental Design: Independent Groups Designs
Objectives
Why We Do Experiments
How We Do Experiments: Independent Groups Designs
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
8. Experimental Design: Dependent Groups and Mixed Groups Designs
Objectives
Dependent Groups Designs
Mixed Designs
Chapter Summary
Answer to Conceptual Exercise
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
9. Experimental Design: Single-Participant Designs/The Operant Approach
Objectives
Single Participant Design and the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
Concepts in the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
ABA and ABAB Withdrawal Designs
Multiple Baseline Design
Alternating Treatment Design
Changing Criterion Design
Advantages and Disadvantages of Single-Participant Designs
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
10. Finding Relationships Among Variables: Nonexperimental Research
Objectives
Quasi-Experiments
Longitudinal Research
Cross-Sectional Research
Case Studies
Correlational Research
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
11. Data Collection Methods
Objectives
Observational Research: Observing the Behavior of Individuals
Advantages and Disadvantages of Observational Research
Survey Research: Asking People Questions About Their Behavior
Observing Group Behavior: The Focus Group
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
Appendix: Ways to Increase Response Rates to Mail-Out Surveys
References
12. Program Evaluation, Archival Research, and Meta-Analytic Designs
Objectives
Program Evaluation
Archival Research
Meta-Analysis
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
13. Your Research Project: Analyzing, Interpreting, and Presenting Your Research
Objectives
What Are Statistics and Why Are They Necessary?
Making Inferences From Your Data
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
14. Communicating in Psychology
Objectives
Writing in Psychology
Presenting Research in Writing
Other Ways of Presenting Research
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
Appendix: Research Report Checklist
Glossary
Index
About the Authors
Acknowledgments
1. Introduction to Research in Psychology
Objectives
Acquiring Knowledge About the World
Psychology--Science and Art
Critical Thinking
Objectives of Science
The Tenets of Science
The Scientific Method
Theories, Concepts, and Hypotheses
Why We Do Research
Approaches to Research
Steps in Planning and Doing Research
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
2. Understanding the Research Literature
Objectives
Searching the Literature
The Research Article
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
3. Research In Psychology: An Ethical Enterprise
Objectives
General Principles
Ethical Standards
Special Populations
Internet Research
Bias and Intellectual Honesty
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
4. Hypothesis Testing, Power, and Control: A Review of the Basics
Objectives
Three Levels of Hypotheses
Testing the Null Hypothesis
Statistical Significance
Inferential Errors: Type I and Type II
Power and How to Increase It
Effect Size
Power and the Role of Replication in Research
External and Internal Validity
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
5. Measuring Variables
Objectives
Ways of Asking Questions
Measuring Observed Behavior
The Importance of Precision in Measurement
Tests, Scales, and Inventories
Commercially Available Tests and Inventories
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
6. Selecting Research Participants
Objectives
Sampling Methods
Sample and Effect Size
Power Revisited
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
Reference
7. Experimental Design: Independent Groups Designs
Objectives
Why We Do Experiments
How We Do Experiments: Independent Groups Designs
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
8. Experimental Design: Dependent Groups and Mixed Groups Designs
Objectives
Dependent Groups Designs
Mixed Designs
Chapter Summary
Answer to Conceptual Exercise
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
9. Experimental Design: Single-Participant Designs/The Operant Approach
Objectives
Single Participant Design and the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
Concepts in the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
ABA and ABAB Withdrawal Designs
Multiple Baseline Design
Alternating Treatment Design
Changing Criterion Design
Advantages and Disadvantages of Single-Participant Designs
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
10. Finding Relationships Among Variables: Nonexperimental Research
Objectives
Quasi-Experiments
Longitudinal Research
Cross-Sectional Research
Case Studies
Correlational Research
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
11. Data Collection Methods
Objectives
Observational Research: Observing the Behavior of Individuals
Advantages and Disadvantages of Observational Research
Survey Research: Asking People Questions About Their Behavior
Observing Group Behavior: The Focus Group
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
Appendix: Ways to Increase Response Rates to Mail-Out Surveys
References
12. Program Evaluation, Archival Research, and Meta-Analytic Designs
Objectives
Program Evaluation
Archival Research
Meta-Analysis
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
References
13. Your Research Project: Analyzing, Interpreting, and Presenting Your Research
Objectives
What Are Statistics and Why Are They Necessary?
Making Inferences From Your Data
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
14. Communicating in Psychology
Objectives
Writing in Psychology
Presenting Research in Writing
Other Ways of Presenting Research
Chapter Summary
Answers to Conceptual Exercises
FAQ
Chapter Exercises
Chapter Projects
Appendix: Research Report Checklist
Glossary
Index
About the Authors