Preface
Chapter 1. Why Research at all?
The History of Research
Good, Yet Critical, Science
Research Distinctions
Critical Thinking Exercises
Chapter 2. The Stages of Research: A General Overview
Step One: Selecting a Research Topic
Step Two: Identifying a Testable Research Question
Step Three: Finding Research
Step Four: The Literature Review
Step Five: Research Design
Step Six: Data Collection and Variable Coding
Step Seven: Data Analysis
Step Eight: Reporting of Results
Step Nine: Conclusion and Limitations
Final Suggestions
Critical Thinking Exercises
Chapter 3. Research Ethics
The Quest for a Perfect Study
Common Ethical Principles
Human Research Protection Program
Institutional Review Boards
Ethical Guidelines
Other Ethical Notes
The (Ever-Increasing) Role of the IRB
Ethically Questionable Studies
Final Thoughts
Critical Thinking Exercises
Chapter 4. Validity and Reliability: Threats to Research Integrity
Validity and Reliability
Types of Validity
Other Research Threats
Critical Thinking Exercises
Chapter 5. Qualitative Research Strategies
Historical Synopsis of Qualitative Research
Requisite Qualitative Research Tools
Field Research
Other Types of Qualitative Research
Factors Influencing the Qualitative Data Collection Process
Summary
Critical Thinking Exercises
Chapter 6. Research Designs and Survey Research
Operationalization and Coding
Composite Measures
Choosing a Research Design
Experimental Research
Experimental, Quasi-Experimental, and Pre-Experimental Designs
Other Research Strategies
Survey Research
Summary
Critical Thinking Exercises
Chapter 7. Mixed Methods
Illustrations of Mixed Methods
Mixed Methods for Program Evaluation
Steps to Mixed Methods Research
Critical Summary of the Mixed Methods Approach
Summary
Critical Thinking Exercises
Chapter 8. Sampling Strategies
Probability or Nonprobability Samples?
Critical Thinking Exercises
Chapter 9. Elementary and Intermediate Quantitative Data Analysis
Basic Quantitative Analysis
Univariate and Descriptive Statistics
Intermediate Data Handling: Bivariate and Multivariate Statistical Analysis
Bivariate Statistics
Frequency Distributions
Multivariate Statistics
Summary
Discussion Questions
Chapter 10. Qualitative Data Analysis
Critique of Causality
Traditional Qualitative Analysis
Contemporary Statistical Qualitative Analysis
Mixed Methods Analysis
Critical Thinking Exercises
Chapter 11. Beyond Research: An Aid to Writing Success
Plagiarism
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA)
Effective Writing Practices
Becoming a More Professional Writer
Writing Tip Summation
Critical Thinking Exercises
Glossary
References
Index