Rigorous, yet readable. The author presents the material with sufficient elaboration, explanation, and examples that not only interest the student, but make it understandable. Introduction to Behavioral Research Methods incorporates the four basic approaches to behavioral research (descriptive research, correlational research, experimental research, and quasi-experimental research), and shows students how to conceptualize questions, measure variables, design studies, and analyze data. Chapters on research ethics and scientific writing (including the most recent version of APA style) round out the book. Throughout each chapter, boxes on "Developing Your Research Skills" and "Behavioral Research Case Study" provide practical examples and pique student interest. Teaching & Learning Experience * Personalize Learning - MySearchLab delivers proven results in helping students succeed, provides engaging experiences that personalize learning, and comes from a trusted partner with educational expertise and a deep commitment to helping students and instructors achieve their goals.
*Improve Critical Thinking - New up-to-date Behavioral Research Case Studies help students apply research to practice. *Engage Students - The text is designed to make research methods understandable, useful, and interesting for students. *Explore Research - Real research, tidbits about the lives of famous researchers, and intriguing controversies that have arisen in behavioral science are included. A lab manual in MySearchLab helps engage students in the research process. *Support Instructors - MyTest, PowerPoints, and an instructors manual offer additional support for instructors.
IN THIS SECTION: 1.) BRIEF 2.) COMPREHENSIVE BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS: Chapter 1: Research in the Behavioral Sciences Chapter 2: Behavioral Variability and Research Chapter 3: The Measurement of Behavior Chapter 4: Approaches to Psychological Measurement Chapter 5: Selecting Research Participants Chapter 6: Descriptive Research Chapter 7: Correlational Research Chapter 8: Advanced Correlational Strategies Chapter 9: Basic Issues in Experimental Research Chapter 10: Experimental Design Chapter 11: Analyzing Experimental Data Chapter 12: Analyzing Complex Designs Chapter 13: Quasi-Experimental Designs Chapter 14: Single-Case Research Chapter 15: Ethical Issues in Behavioral Research Chapter 16: Scientific Writing COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS: Chapter 1: Research in the Behavioral Sciences The Beginnings of Behavioral Research Goals of Behavioral Research Behavioral Science and Common Sense The Value of Research to the Student The Scientific Approach Science and Pseudoscience The Scientists Two Jobs: Detecting and Explaining Phenomena Research Hypotheses Conceptual and Operational Definitions Proof, Disproof, and Scientific Progress Strategies of Behavioral Research Domains of Behavioral Science Behavioral Research on Human and Nonhuman Animals A Preview Summary Chapter 2: Behavioral Variability and Research Variability and the Research Process Variance: An Index of Variability Systematic and Error Variance Assessing the Strength of Relationships Effect Size: Assessing the Strength of Relationships Meta-Analysis: Systematic Variance across Studies The Quest for Systematic Variance Summary Chapter 3: The Measurement of Behavior Types of Measures Scales of Measurement Assessing the Reliability of a Measure Assessing the Validity of a Measure Fairness and Bias in Measurement Summary Chapter 4: Approaches to Psychological Measurement Observational Approaches Physiological and Neuroscience Approaches Self-Report Approaches: Questionnaires and Interviews Archival Data Content Analysis Summary Chapter 5: Selecting Research Participants A Common Misconception Probability Samples Nonprobability Samples How Many Participants? Summary Chapter 6: Descriptive Research Types of Descriptive Research Describing and Presenting Data Frequency Distributions Measures of Central Tendency Measures of Variability Tendency The z-Score Summary Chapter 7: Correlational Research The Correlation Coefficient A Graphic Representation of Correlations The Coefficient of Determination Statistical Significance of r Factors That Distort Correlation Coefficients Correlation and Causality Partial Correlation Other Indices of Correlation Summary Chapter 8: Advanced Correlational Strategies Predicting Behavior: Regression Strategies Assessing Directionality: Cross-Lagged and Structural Equations Analysis Analyzing Nested Data: Multilevel Modeling Uncovering Underlying Dimensions: Factor Analysis Summary Chapter 9: Basic Issues in Experimental Research Manipulating the Independent Variable Assigning Participants to Conditions Experimental Control Eliminating Confounds Error Variance Experimental Control and Generalizability: The Experimenters Dilemma Web-Based Experimental Research Summary Chapter 10: Experimental Design One-Way Designs Factorial Designs Main Effects and Interactions Combining Independent and Participant Variables Summary Chapter 11: Analyzing Experimental Data An Intuitive Approach to Analysis Hypothesis Testing Analysis of Two-Group Experiments: The t-Test Analyses of Matched-Subjects and Within-Subjects Designs Computer Analyses Summary Chapter 12: Analyzing Complex Designs The Problem: Conducting Multiple Tests Inflates Type I Error The Rationale behind ANOVA How ANOVA Works Follow-Up Tests Between-Subjects and Within-Subjects ANOVAs Multivariate Analysis of Variance Experimental and Nonexperimental Uses of Inferential Statistics Summary Chapter 13: Quasi-Experimental Designs Pretest-Posttest Designs Time Series Designs Comparative Time Series Design Longitudinal Designs Cross-sequential Cohort Designs Program Evaluation Evaluating Quasi-Experimental Designs Summary Chapter 14: Single-Case Research Single-Case Experimental Designs Case Study Research Summary Chapter 15: Ethical Issues in Behavioral Research Approaches to Ethical Decisions Basic Ethical Guidelines The Principle of Informed Consent Invasion of Privacy Coercion to Participate Physical and Mental Stress Deception Confidentiality Debriefing Common Courtesy Vulnerable Populations Ethical Principles in Research with Nonhuman Animals Scientific Misconduct Suppression of Scientific Inquiry and Research Findings A Final Note Summary