This user-friendly book logically presents the entire range of research methodologies in psychology, in addition to the often discussed and traditional use of experimental research.. Comprehensive and readable, it will interest those in the varied fields of cognitive, developmental, clinical, and social psychology. Topics include inductive and deductive reasoning, empirical observation, concepts of validity, the phases in research, and the concept. of levels of constraint. For anyone looking for the needed background to become a sophisticated consumer of research, able to evaluate the many claims for products, ideas, and programs that bombard our society and critical thinking in everyday life.

The author's central purpose remains a desire to instruct inexperienced researchers in ways of effectively collecting, organizing, and making sense of qualitative data, while stressing the importance of ethics in research and in taking the time to properly design and think through any research endeavor. After reading this book, fledgling researchers should be able to design, collect, and analyze data and then present their results to the scientific community.

It guides the reader, step-by-step, from the selection of a problem to study, through the process of conducting authentic research, to the preparation of a completed report, with practical suggestions based on a solid theoretical framework and sound pedagogy. This book will show readers two things: 1) that quality research demands planning and design; and, 2) how their own research projects can be executed effectively and professionally. For researchers and research analysts in any discipline.

Robert Yin's comprehensive presentation covers all aspects of the case study method--from problem definition, design, and data collection, to data analysis and composition and reporting. Yin also traces the uses and importance of case studies to a wide range of disciplines, from sociology, psychology and history to management, planning, social work, and education.

This book combines the latest thinking about mixed methods research designs with practical, step-by-step guidelines for the decisions that must be made in designing a mixed methods research study. "Mixed methods research" is defined as a procedure for collecting, analyzing, and mixing both quantitative and qualitative data in a single case study or series of studies and is becoming more common in studies across the social, behavioral, and health sciences as well as education.

Creswell and Clark offer advice tailored to negotiating the demands and issues that arise when designing a mixed methods project. The recommendations offered focus on how to keep the project manageable for the beginning researcher while still ensuring quality research.

It says it is "An Overview of the Essentials," and it is just that. It is broken down into one-page topics that are written on a good level for those of us who haven't had a strong math/statistics background. Each topic is followed by a page of discussion questions that make it easy to make sure the concepts are grasped before moving on. It's in almost a workbook format, and I would recommend this as a self-guided study tool to any professional faced with the need to deal with these topics in the line of work.

This is the most concise and complete text to date on the rich and complex area of phenomenological research. Dr. Moustakas presents the reader with a historical overview and assessment of phenomenological research methodologies along with a review of the philosophical underpinnings of these methods. He also makes clear distinctions between hermeneutic, empirical phenomenology, and heuristic approaches to human science research. This book will prove invaluable for anyone doing research in the area of religious and transpersonal experiences. . . . There is a discussion of the methods and procedures that one might employ in conducting a human science research project along with numerous clarifying examples of the research that illustrate specific applications of phenomenological methods. The step-by-step description of this approach to research will prove invaluable for anyone choosing to engage in phenomenological research.

"This book is timely in attempting to offer a path for beginning and perhaps more important, controlling and finishing written work for sharing with a wide but critical audience. The chapter headings provide a flavor of the book--reading about writing; getting going; keeping going; tightening up; finishing up; getting published. . . . This is a stimulating and worthwhile book for everyone attempting to cope with writing up their findings from this exciting form of research." --Journal of Osteopathic Education