Research Methods for the Behavioral and Social Sciences

Research Methods for the Behavioral and Social Sciences
Author: Bart L. Weathington
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 672
Release: 2010-01-26
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0470458038

A comprehensive introduction to research methods and best practices for designing,conducting, interpreting, and reporting findings This text is designed to develop in students a passion for conducting research and an understanding of the practical value of systematic information- gathering and decision-making. It features step-by-step coverage of the research process including research design, statistical considerations, and guidance on writing up and presenting results. Recognized leaders in the field—authors Bart Weathington, Christopher Cunningham, and David Pittenger—present: Introductions to multiple research designs—including single-participant, multi-group, longitudinal, correlational, and experimental designs—accompanied by examples Bibliographic research and methods for appropriate sampling Identifying, developing, and evaluating reliable and valid approaches to measurement The issues and steps common to all single-factor and multifactor studies, as well as single-subject and nonexperimental methods How to summarize research in writing that conforms to the editorial guidelines of the American Psychological Association A comprehensive review of research methods and the statistical concepts that support them, Research Methods for the Behavioral and Social Sciences offers the best techniques for studying behavior and social phenomena.

Social Science Research

Social Science Research
Author: Anol Bhattacherjee
Publisher: CreateSpace
Total Pages: 156
Release: 2012-04-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9781475146127

This book is designed to introduce doctoral and graduate students to the process of conducting scientific research in the social sciences, business, education, public health, and related disciplines. It is a one-stop, comprehensive, and compact source for foundational concepts in behavioral research, and can serve as a stand-alone text or as a supplement to research readings in any doctoral seminar or research methods class. This book is currently used as a research text at universities on six continents and will shortly be available in nine different languages.

Social and Behavioral Research and the Internet

Social and Behavioral Research and the Internet
Author: Marcel Das
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 449
Release: 2018-10-24
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1136923586

Highlighting the progress made by researchers in using Web-based surveys for data collection, this timely volume summarizes the experiences of leading behavioral and social scientists from Europe and the US who collected data using the Internet. Some chapters present theory, methodology, design, and implementation, while others focus on best practice examples and/or issues such as data quality and understanding paradata. A number of contributors applied innovative Web-based research methods to the LISS panel of CentERdata collected from over 5,000 Dutch households. Their findings are presented in the book. Some of the data is available on the book website. The book addresses practical issues such as data quality, how to reach difficult target groups, how to design a survey to maximize response, and ethical issues that need to be considered. Innovative applications such as the use of biomarkers and eye-tracking techniques are also explored. Part 1 provides an overview of Internet survey research including its methodologies, strengths, challenges, and best practices. Innovative ways to minimize sources of error are provided along with a review of mixed-mode designs, how to design a scientifically sound longitudinal panel and avoid sampling problems, and address ethical requirements in Web surveys. Part 2 focuses on advanced applications including the impact of visual design on the interpretability of survey questions, the impact survey usability has on respondents’ answers, design features that increase interaction, and how Internet surveys can be effectively used to study sensitive issues. Part 3 addresses data quality, sample selection, measurement and non-response error, and new applications for collecting online data. The issue of underrepresentation of certain groups in Internet research and the measures most effective at reducing it are also addressed. The book concludes with a discussion of the importance of paradata and the Web data collection process in general, followed by chapters with innovative experiments using eye-tracking techniques and biomarker data. This practical book appeals to practitioners from market survey research institutes and researchers in disciplines such as psychology, education, sociology, political science, health studies, marketing, economics, and business who use the Internet for data collection, but is also an ideal supplement for graduate and/or upper level undergraduate courses on (Internet) research methods and/or data collection taught in these fields.

Statistical Power Analysis for the Social and Behavioral Sciences

Statistical Power Analysis for the Social and Behavioral Sciences
Author: Xiaofeng Steven Liu
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 285
Release: 2013-11-07
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1136464182

This is the first book to demonstrate the application of power analysis to the newer more advanced statistical techniques that are increasingly used in the social and behavioral sciences. Both basic and advanced designs are covered. Readers are shown how to apply power analysis to techniques such as hierarchical linear modeling, meta-analysis, and structural equation modeling. Each chapter opens with a review of the statistical procedure and then proceeds to derive the power functions. This is followed by examples that demonstrate how to produce power tables and charts. The book clearly shows how to calculate power by providing open code for every design and procedure in R, SAS, and SPSS. Readers can verify the power computation using the computer programs on the book's website. There is a growing requirement to include power analysis to justify sample sizes in grant proposals. Most chapters are self-standing and can be read in any order without much disruption.This book will help readers do just that. Sample computer code in R, SPSS, and SAS at www.routledge.com/9781848729810 are written to tabulate power values and produce power curves that can be included in a grant proposal. Organized according to various techniques, chapters 1 – 3 introduce the basics of statistical power and sample size issues including the historical origin, hypothesis testing, and the use of statistical power in t tests and confidence intervals. Chapters 4 - 6 cover common statistical procedures -- analysis of variance, linear regression (both simple regression and multiple regression), correlation, analysis of covariance, and multivariate analysis. Chapters 7 - 11 review the new statistical procedures -- multi-level models, meta-analysis, structural equation models, and longitudinal studies. The appendixes contain a tutorial about R and show the statistical theory of power analysis. Intended as a supplement for graduate courses on quantitative methods, multivariate statistics, hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) and/or multilevel modeling and SEM taught in psychology, education, human development, nursing, and social and life sciences, this is the first text on statistical power for advanced procedures. Researchers and practitioners in these fields also appreciate the book‘s unique coverage of the use of statistical power analysis to determine sample size in planning a study. A prerequisite of basic through multivariate statistics is assumed.

Advanced Methods for Conducting Online Behavioral Research

Advanced Methods for Conducting Online Behavioral Research
Author: Sam Gosling
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Total Pages: 304
Release: 2010
Genre: Psychology
ISBN:

"The Internet is revolutionizing the way psychologists conduct behavioral research. Studies conducted online are not only less error prone and labor intensive but also rapidly reach large numbers of diverse participants at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. In addition to improving the efficiency and accuracy of data collection, online studies provide automatic data storage and deliver immediate personalized feedback to research participants--

Advanced Research Methods in Psychology

Advanced Research Methods in Psychology
Author: David Giles
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 371
Release: 2013-03-07
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1134694822

How do you perform a MANOVA? What is grounded theory? How do you draw up a repertory grid? These, and many other questions are addressed in this wide-ranging handbook of methods and analytic techniques which uniquely covers both quantitative and qualitative methods. Based on a broad survey of undergraduate curricula, the book takes curious readers through all of the methods that are taught on psychology courses worldwide, from advanced ANOVA statistics through regression models to test construction, qualitative research and other more unusual techniques such as Q methodology, meta-analysis and log-linear analysis. Each technique is illustrated by recent examples from the literature. There are also chapters on ethics, significance testing, and writing for publication and research proposals. Advanced Research Methods in Psychology will provide an invaluable resource for advanced undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers who need a readable, contemporary and eclectic reference of advanced methods currently in use in psychological research.

Advanced Research Methods for Applied Psychology

Advanced Research Methods for Applied Psychology
Author: Paula Brough
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 351
Release: 2018-08-14
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1315517957

This is the first comprehensive guide to the range of research methods available to applied psychologists. Ideally suited to students and researchers alike, and covering both quantitative and qualitative techniques, the book takes readers on a journey from research design to final reporting. The book is divided into four sections, with chapters written by leading international researchers working in a range of applied settings: Getting Started Data Collection Data Analysis Research Dissemination With coverage of sampling and ethical issues, and chapters on everything from experimental and quasi-experimental designs to longitudinal data collection and focus groups, the book provides a concise overview not only of the options available for applied research, but also of how to make sense of the data produced. It includes chapters on organizational interventions and the use of digital technologies, and concludes with chapters on how to publish your research, whether it’s a thesis, journal article or organisational report. This is a must-have book for anyone conducting psychological research in an applied setting.

Research Methods in the Social and Behavioral Sciences

Research Methods in the Social and Behavioral Sciences
Author: Russell A. Jones
Publisher: Sinauer Associates, Incorporated
Total Pages: 388
Release: 1996
Genre: Psychology
ISBN:

This text acquaints the student with the diverse methods used in the social, psychological and behavioural sciences. The scientific question at hand affects the researcher's choice of methods, and this book helps students develop an appreciation for the sorts of hypotheses and questions that can be most profitably investigated with each method. The text emphasizes that the student needs to be acquainted with a variety of research methods, as there is no single perfect method. Along with the illustrative research in each chapter, the advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed.