This comprehensive overview of research methods uses a lively narrative to guide students through every stage of a research project, including planning and conducting studies, analyzing data, and reporting results. Integrating fascinating Canadian research and examples with accessible
explanations, this is an engaging primer for students of behavioural studies.
Note: All chapters end with:
- Exercises
- Key Terms
1. Psychology, Science, and Research
Why Psychology and Science?
Science: Not a Subject but a Way of Thinking
So What Is This Scientific Method?
2. Getting Started
How Psychologists Actually Do Scientific
Research
The Main Features of a Psychological Investigation
Qualitative Data
Funding Scientific Research
Conducting Your Study
Writing Your Results
Finding a Publisher
3. Ethical Issues in Psychological Research
Introduction
Canadian Code of Ethics for
Psychologists
Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans
American Psychological Association Ethical Guidelines
Publication and Access to Data
Research with Human Participants
Research with Animals
Conclusion
4. Measuring People: Variables,
Samples, and the Qualitative Critique
Variables
Operational Definitions of Psychological Constructs
Psychological Questionnaires, Tests, and Measurement Scales
Open and Closed Questions
Attitude Scales
Central Issues in the Use of Psychological Scales
Scale Items: What to
Avoid in Statement Construction
Projective Tests
Intelligence and Personality Tests
Factor Analysis
Samples
Probability-Based Sampling Methods
Non-Probability-Based Sampling Methods (Non-EPSEM)
Purposive Samples
The Quantitative/Qualitative Debate
5. Experiments
and Experimental Designs
The Role of Experiments in Gathering Evidence: Demonstrating Cause and Effect
Alternative Explanations
Simple Experimental Designs
6. How to Evaluate Research Critically
Reliability and Validity: An Overview
Reliability, Validity, and
Standardization
7. Observational Methods: Watching and Being with People
Observation in General
Observation as a Technique or Overall Design
Structured (or Systematic) Observation
Controlled Observation
Qualitative Non-Participant Observation
Role Play and
Simulation
The Diary Method
Participant Observation
Strengths of Participant Observation
Case Studies
Indirect Observation
8. Interview and Survey Methods
Introduction: Self-Report Methods
Structured Interviews
Effects of Interpersonal Variables in
Interviews
Types of Interview
Semi-Structured or Open Interviewing: Gathering Qualitative Data
Surveys
9. Experimental Design 1: Between Subjects Designs
Between Subjects Design
Interpreting the Results of Basic Two-Group Between Subjects Design Experiment
Single-Factor
Multiple-Group Design
Factorial Designs
10. Experimental Design 2: Within Subjects Designs
Within Subjects Designs: An Overview
Examples of Within Subjects Designs
Using Mixed Measures Designs
11. Significance Testing: Was It a Real Effect?
Significance Decisions
The
Null and Alternative Hypotheses
How Low Is Low? Rejecting the Null Hypothesis
The Standard Significance Level: p < 0.05, or 5 per cent
Significance Testing: The Basic Model and a Concrete Example
Frequency Distributions, Probability Distributions, and Rejection Regions
But
Couldn't This Result Just Be a Fluke? Type I Errors
Type II Errors
The Question of Power and Effect Size
Significance Levels
Directional and Non-Directional Hypotheses: One-Tailed and Two-Tailed Tests
Conducting a Significance Test: The General Procedure for All Tests
12.
Quasi-Experiments, Non-Experiments, and Comparison Studies
The Field and the Laboratory
True Experiments and Field Experiments
The Quasi-Experiment
Non-Experimental Research
Control and Validity in the Laboratory and in the Field
What Are Comparison
Studies?
Cross-Sectional Studies
Evaluation of Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Studies
Cross-Cultural Studies
13. Correlation: The Association of Measured Variables
The Nature of Correlation
Measurement of a Correlation
What You Can't Assume with a Correlation
The
ABBA Gambit: For Use in Tests and Exams
Common Uses of Correlation in Psychology
Regression and Multiple Regression
14. Statistics: Organizing the Data
Measuring Things
A Quick Introduction to Different Levels of Measurement
Summarizing Data: Statistics Are a
Selection
Measures of Central Tendency
Measures of Dispersion
Population Parameters, Sample Statistics, and Sampling Error
Appendix: Statistical Notations and Symbols
15. Planning Your Honours Thesis and Writing Up Your Report
Planning Your Thesis Project
Writing Your
Thesis Report
Sample Reports
Appendix A: Using SPSS to Calculate Statistics
Getting Started
Setting Up Variables
Entering Data
Setting Up Your Data File: Unrelated and Related Designs
Summarizing Data: Descriptive Statistics Using SPSS
Appendix B: Statistical
Tables
Appendix C: Graphical Representation of Data
Introduction
The Bar Chart
Line Charts
The Histogram
Exploratory Data Analysis
Using SPSS to Produce Your Charts
Appendix D: Answer Key to Exercise Boxes
Glossary
References
Index
Instructor's Manual:
Lecture outlines
Learning objectivess
Discussion questions
Class exercises, assignments, and activities
Suggested further readings, websites, and resources
Student Study Guide:
Chapter summaries
Interactive quizzes
Flash cards
of key concepts
Links to additional resources
Glossary of key terms
PowerPoint slides:
For each chapter:
20-35 lecture outline slides
Images provided separately for customization
Test Generator:
For each chapter:
30-35 multiple choice questions
10-15
true-or-false questions
10-15 short answer questions
E-Book (ISBN 9780199005604)
Available through CourseSmart.com
Hugh Coolican is a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences at Coventry University.
Owen Kelly is an adjunct research professor and lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Carleton University. In addition to his work on campus, Kelly is a
researcher at the University of Ottawa's Institute of Mental Health Research. He has a passion for research and teaching and is About.com's guide/expert on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (www.ocd.about.com).
Making Sense in Psychology - Margot Northey and Brian Timney
