Research Methods For The Behavioural Sciences

Description

Research Methods for the Behavioural Sciences guides students through the research process from beginning to end, using an accessible step-by-step approach. With an emphasis on the decisions researchers must make along the way, it provides tips and strategies for all elements of the research process to ensure relevance and validity. In this first adaptation of the textbook for Europe, South Africa and the Middle East, all the core elements which have contributed to its success are complemented by recent and relevant developments in the field pertinent to these regions, helping students to fully relate to the content. Cover Brief Contents Contents Preface About the Authors Chapter 1: Introduction, Acquiring Knowledge and the Scientific Method Chapter Learning Objectives Chapter Overview 1.1 Methods of Knowing and Acquiring Knowledge 1.2 The Scientific Method 1.3 The Research Process Chapter Summary Key Words Exercises Learning Check Answers Chapter 2: Research Ideas and Hypotheses Chapter Learning Objectives Chapter Overview 2.1 Getting Started: Identifying a Topic Area 2.2 Searching the Existing Research Literature in a Topic Area 2.3 Finding an Idea for a Research Study from a Published Research Article 2.4 Using a Research Idea to Form a Hypothesis and Create a Research Study Chapter Summary Key Words Exercises Learning Check Answers Chapter 3: Defining and Measuring Variables Chapter Learning Objectives Chapter Overview 3.1 Constructs and Operational Definitions 3.2 Validity and Reliability of Measurement 3.3 Scales of Measurement 3.4 Modalities of Measurement 3.5 Other Aspects of Measurement Chapter Summary Key Words Exercises Learning Check Answers Chapter 4: Ethics in Research Chapter Learning Objectives Chapter Overview 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Ethical Issues and Human Participants in Research 4.3 Ethical Issues and Non-Human Subjects in Research 4.4 Ethical Issues and Scientific Integrity Chapter Summary Key Words Exercises Learning Check Answers Chapter 5: Selecting Research Participants Chapter Learning Objectives Chapter Overview 5.1 Introduction to Sampling 5.2 Probability Sampling Methods 5.3 Non-Probability Sampling Methods Chapter Summary Key Words Exercises Learning Check Answers Chapter 6: Research Strategies and Validity Chapter Learning Objectives Chapter Overview 6.1 Research Strategies 6.2 External and Internal Validity 6.3 Threats to External Validity 6.4 Threats to Internal Validity 6.5 More about Internal and External Validity Chapter Summary Key Words Exercises Learning Check Answers Chapter 7: The Experimental Research Strategy Chapter Learning Objectives Chapter Overview 7.1 Cause-and-Effect Relationships 7.2 Distinguishing Elements of an Experiment 7.3 Controlling Extraneous Variables 7.4 Control Conditions and Manipulation Checks 7.5 Increasing External Validity: Simulation and Field Studies Chapter Summary Key Words Exercises Learning Check Answers Chapter 8: Experimental Designs: Between-Subjects Design Chapter Learning Objectives Chapter Overview 8.1 Introduction to Between-Subjects Experiments 8.2 Individual Differences as Confounding Variables 8.3 Limiting Confounding by Individual Differences 8.4 Individual Differences and Variability 8.5 Other Threats to Internal Validity of Between-Subjects Experimental Designs 8.6 Applications and Statistical Analyses of Between-Subjects Designs Chapter Summary Key Words Exercises Learning Check Answers Chapter 9: Experimental Designs: Within-Subjects Design Chapter Learning Objectives Chapter Overview 9.1 Within-Subjects Experiments and Internal Validity 9.2 Dealing with Time-Related Threats and Order Effects 9.3 Comparing Within-Subjects and Between-Subjects Designs 9.4 Applications and Statistical Analysis of Within-Subjects Designs Chapter Summary Key Words Exercises Learning Check Answers Chapter 10: The Non-Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Strategies: Non-Equivalent Group, Pre-Post, and Developmental Designs Chapter Learning Objectives Chapter Overview 10.1 Non-Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research Strategies 10.2 Between-Subjects Non-Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs: Non-Equivalent Group Designs 10.3 Within-Subjects Non-Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs: Pre-Post Designs 10.4 Developmental Research Designs 10.5 Applications, Statistical Analysis and Terminology for Non-Experimental, Quasi-Experimental and Developmental Designs Chapter Summary Key Words Exercises Learning Check Answers Chapter 11: Factorial Designs Chapter Learning Objectives Chapter Overview 11.1 Introduction to Factorial Designs 11.2 Main Effects and Interactions 11.3 Types of Factorial Designs and Analysis 11.4 Applications of Factorial Designs Chapter Summary Key Words Exercises Learning Check Answers Chapter 12: The Correlational Research Strategy Chapter Learning Objectives Chapter Overview 12.1 An Introduction to Correlational Research 12.2 The Data and Statistical Analysis for Correlational Studies 12.3 Applications of the Correlational Strategy 12.4 Strengths and Weaknesses of the Correlational Research Strategy Chapter Summary Key Words Exercises Learning Check Answers Chapter 13: Modes and Methods of Measurement Chapter Learning Objectives Chapter Overview 13.1 Behavioural Tasks 13.2 Observational Methods 13.3 Surveys and Other Self-Report Methods Chapter Summary Key Words Exercises Learning Check Answers Chapter 14: Case Study and Single-Case Experimental Research Designs Chapter Learning Objectives Chapter Overview 14.1 The Case Study Design 14.2 Introduction to Single-Case Experimental Research Designs 14.3 Phases and Phase Changes 14.4 Reversal Designs: ABAB and Variations 14.5 General Strengths and Weaknesses of Single-Case Designs Chapter Summary Key Words Exercises Learning Check Answers Chapter 15: Statistical Evaluation of Data Chapter Learning Objectives Chapter Overview 15.1 The Role of Statistics in the Research Process 15.2 Descriptive Statistics 15.3 Inferential Statistics 15.4 Finding the Right Statistics for Your Data 15.5 Special Statistics for Research Chapter Summary Key Words Exercises Learning Check Answers Chapter 16: Writing an APA-Style Research Report Chapter Learning Objectives Chapter Overview 16.1 The Goal of a Research Report 16.2 General APA Guidelines for Writing Style and Format 16.3 The Elements of an APA-Style Research Report 16.4 Writing a Research Proposal Chapter Summary Key Words Exercises Learning Check Answers Appendices Appendix A: Statistics Demonstrations and Statistical Tables Appendix B: Sample APA-Style Research Report Manuscript for Publication Glossary References Name Index Subject Index