Research Methods, Statistics, and Applications / Edition 2

by Kathrynn A. Adams, Eva Kung McGuire (aka: Lawrence)

Overview

Research Methods, Statistics, and Applications by Kathrynn A. Adams and Eva K. Mc Guire is designed to give you the experience of being a researcher by combining the interrelated concepts of research methods and statistics to better explain how the research process incorporates both elements. Employing a conversational tone throughout, coupled with an emphasis on decision-making, this best-selling text will spark your interest in conducting research and improve your ability to critically analyze research in your daily life.

The Third Edition includes a new chapter on measurement to better highlight its critical importance, updates for the 7th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, new examples related to social justice, additional sections on qualitative research methods, and more thorough integration of research ethics information and tips throughout each chapter.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506350455
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	03/08/2018
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	672
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Kathrynn (Kathy) A. Adams earned her Ph D in general experimental psychology from the University of Alabama in 1977. She was a Charles A. Dana Professor of Psychology at Guilford College when she retired in 2017 after 37 years of teaching. Her professional interests include gender issues, relationships, and teaching pedagogy. She worked with the Preparing Future Faculty Program for 20 years and helped establish the Early College at Guilford, a nationally ranked high school. In her spare time, she spends as much time as possible outdoors, practices yoga, and bakes chocolate desserts.

Eva K. Mc Guire earned her Ph D in clinical psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2002. She is a Charles A. Dana Professor of Psychology at Guilford College, where she has taught since 2003. Her research interests include environmental psychology and computer-mediated communication. Eva enjoys walking, yoga, and bike riding, and she loves to listen to live music.

Table of Contents

Preface
About The Authors
Chapter 1: Thinking Like A Researcher
Critical Thinking
Thinking Critically About Ethics
The Scientific Approach
Overview of the Research Process (a.k.a. the Scientific Method)
The Big Picture: Proof and Progress in Science
Chapter 2: Build a Solid Foundation for Your Study Based On Past Research
Types of Sources
Types of Scholarly Works
Strategies to Identify and Find Past Research
Reading and Evaluating Primary Research Articles
Develop Study Ideas Based on Past Research
APA Format for References
The Big Picture: Use the Past to Inform the Present
Chapter 3: The Cornerstones of Good Research: Reliability and Validity
Using Data Analysis Programs: Measurement Reliability
Reliability and Validity Broadly Defined
Reliability and Validity of Measurement
Constructs and Operational Definitions
Types of Measures
Assessing Reliability of Measures
Assessing Validity of Measures
Reliability and Validity at the Study Level
The Big Picture: Consistency and Accuracy
Chapter 4: Basics of Research Design: Description, Measurement, and Sampling
When Is a Descriptive Study Appropriate?
Validity in Descriptive Studies
Measurement Methods
Defining the Population and Obtaining a Sample
The Big Picture: Beyond Description
Chapter 5: Describing Your Sample
Ethical Issues in Describing Your Sample
Practical Issues in Describing Your Sample
Descriptive Statistics
Choosing the Appropriate Descriptive Statistics
Using Data Analysis Programs: Descriptive Statistics
Comparing Interval/Ratio Scores with z Scores and Percentiles
The Big Picture: Know Your Data and Your Sample
Chapter 6: Beyond Descriptives: Making Inferences Based on Your Sample
Inferential Statistics
Hypothesis Testing
Errors in Hypothesis Testing
Effect Size, Confidence Intervals, and Practical Significance
Determining the Effect Size, Confidence Interval, and Practical Significance in a Study
The Big Picture: Making Sense of Results
Chapter 7: Comparing Your Sample to a Known or Expected Score
Choosing the Appropriate Test
One-Sample t Tests
Formulas and Calculations: One-Sample t Test
Using Data Analysis Programs: One-Sample t Test
Results
Discussion
The Big Picture: Examining One Variable at a Time
Chapter 8: Examining Relationships among Your Variables: Correlational Design
Correlational Design
Basic Statistics to Evaluate Correlational Research
Using Data Analysis Programs: Pearson's r and Point-Biserial r
Regression
Formulas and Calculations: Simple Linear Regression
Using Data Analysis Programs: Regression
The Big Picture: Correlational Designs Versus Correlational Analyses
Chapter 9: Examining Causality
Testing Cause and Effect
Threats to Internal Validity
Basic Issues in Designing an Experiment
Other Threats to Internal Validity
Balancing Internal and External Validity
The Big Picture: Benefits and Limits of Experimental Design
Chapter 10: Independent-Groups Designs
Designs with Independent Groups
Designing a Simple Experiment
Independent-Samples t Tests
Formulas and calculations: independent-samples t test
Using data analysis programs: independent-samples t test
Designs With More Than Two Independent Groups
Formulas and calculations: one-way independent-samples anova
Using data analysis programs: one-way independent-samples anova
The big picture: identifying and analyzing independent-groups designs
Chapter 11: Dependent-Groups Designs
Designs with dependent groups
Formulas and Calculations: Dependent-Samples t Test
Using data analysis programs: dependent-samples t test
Designs with more than two dependent groups
Formulas and calculations: within-subjects ANOVA
Using data analysis programs: within-subjects ANOVA
The big picture: selecting analyses and interpreting results for dependent-groups designs
Chapter 12: Factorial Designs
Basic Concepts in Factorial Design
Rationale for Factorial Designs
2 x 2 Designs
Analyzing Factorial Designs
Analyzing Independent-Groups Factorial Designs
Formulas and Calculations: Two-Way Between-Subjects ANOVA
Using Data Analysis Programs: Two-Way Between-Subjects ANOVA
Reporting and Interpreting Results of a Two-Way ANOVA
Dependent-Groups Factorial Designs
Mixed Designs
The Big Picture: Embracing Complexity
Chapter 13: Nonparametric Statistics
Parametric Versus Nonparametric Statistics
Nonparametric Tests for Nominal Data
Formulas and Calculations: Chi-Square Goodness of Fit
Using Data Analysis Programs: Chi-Square Goodness of Fit
Formulas and calculations: chi-square test for independence
Using data analysis programs: chi-square test for independence
Nonparametric statistics for ordinal (ranked) data
Formulas and calculations: spearman’s rho
Using data analysis programs: spearman’s rho
The big picture: selecting parametric versus nonparametric tests
Chapter 14: Focusing on the Individual Case Studies and Single N Designs
Samples Versus Individuals
The Case Study
Single N Designs
The Big Picture: Choosing Between a Sample, Case Study, or Single N Design
Chapter 15: How to Decide? Choosing a Research Design and Selecting the Correct Analysis
First and Throughout: Base Your Study on Past Research
Choosing a Research Design
Selecting Your Statistical Analyses
The Big Picture: Beyond This Class
Appendix A: Answers to Practice Questions
Appendix B: APA Style and Format Guidelines
Appendix C: Statistical Tables
Appendix D: Statistical Formulas
Glossary
References
Author index
Subject index

Editorial Reviews

"It outlines the bare necessities of research. It’s not full of definitions, it more so teaches students about the application of materials. The book comes across as task-oriented. "

Derrick Bryan

"Some good thorough discussion of aspects of each kind of research and statistical approach. Workbook pretty thorough. "

Kevin E. Lawson

"I like the combination of the methods and stats. I believe that this book would be beneficial for an advanced research methods/stats class at the undergraduate level. I like that the book provides adequate coverage to case studies and single case research design. "

Erin Fekete

"In our sections of research methods & statistics, students are asked to buy two books (methods + stats). I appreciate that this textbook is able to unite the two domains in such a clear way. This book really stands out as a detailed "field manual" for psychological research, and it's the kind of book that students might be more likely to hang on to for future reference. The integration of SPSS & APA style conventions throughout was nice to see. Also nice to see effect sizes and power analysis show up so students don't have a simple view of null hypothesis statistical tests. "

Ben Denkinger

"The authors have constructed a manuscript that utilizes real life research questions and takes the reader through a detailed process of how a researcher would construct a study to answer the question, select the appropriate statistics to answer the question, and disseminate the results in how to write up the results/discussion. "

Charles Fountaine

"The simplicity and relevance of the supplemental materials built in to illustrate the concepts are the key strengths of this text. "

Malaika Brown

The explanations of statistical approaches are clear and the applicability of these approaches is well articulated. This text addresses the basic question of ‘but why do it this way’ extraordinarily well.

Bonita G. Cade

I like that this text seems to cover the most essential elements of conducting research in a manner that supports the time-line of a student project.“

Laura Spiller

This is one of the few books of this type that writes FOR the students and not for the professor. Beginning students can get this material, and advanced students will find it a great review source.

Cheryl L. Ramey

I feel like I’m constantly telling my students that learning research methods and statistics is not a linear process; it requires much revisiting of earlier topics. The authors of this text seem to echo that sentiment in their explanation of the scientific method.

Amanda C. Gingerich

It does appear to provide a good balance of introducing the student to research methods without scaring them away from experimental design."

Aurora Torres

I think the text is a solid presentation of the material.

Darryl Mayeaux

I think the text is very comprehensive......the authors cover not only the key research topics, but also include a thorough presentation of data analysis and interpretation. I also like the way the authors are addressing the topic of writing research papers in APA format and style. They have embedded “Writing in APA Format” examples and application exercises within the chapters. Students gain valuable experience writing results and discussion sections for studies using the different research designs covered in these chapters."

Patricia C. Heindel

I have reviewed many texts over the years and this one does the best job at integrating methods and statistics within each chapter.

Jeffrey W. Grimm

The biggest strengths were readability, use of examples and explanation of reasoning behind design decisions. There is also some advantage to organize by type of design versus type of statistical method.

Mary Jo Carnot

I appreciated the unique way the authors incorporated methods and theory of research with the practical aspects of conducting research, as often highlighted in the Ethical Tips.

Jennifer Devenport

This book nicely introduces research and sets the foundation for the later concepts to come.

Chrislyn E. Randell