Methods in Psychological Research [with Schwartz's An Easy Guide to Research Design & SPSS]

by Annabel Ness Evans, Beth M. Schwartz

“Engaging and well-written research methods textbooks such as this one are a plus for students and instructors. Evans’ text is a welcome addition to what is currently available. It is one of the more impressive research methods texts I have reviewed over the years.”
-Jennifer Myers, University of Michigan

Written in a clear compelling manner, Methods in Psychological Research is THE only text that takes readers through the research process from reading the literature to writing up a research report.

It is pedagogically driven, interactive, and highly applied to engage and motivate students who are taking what is often considered to be a “drudge” requirement. Authors Annabel Ness Evans and Bryan J. Rooney present this brief and basic introduction to research methods in psychology in a relaxed style, at a moderate level of detail, and with a rich mix of pedagogy to encourage students from a variety of backgrounds and academic preparation and to help connect students to the material. The authors offer an applied approach, emphasizing doing research with simple in-text exercises that are more interactive than those found in most methods textbooks.

They also provide examples of real psychology research, both from the research literature and, uniquely, from student research projects. This friendly and supportive presentation of the basics conveys to students the excitement and fun of the research enterprise and involves them in doing research rather than just memorizing another term for an exam.

Key Features

Contains unique “FAQ” sections. In class, students perpetually have problems with certain fundamental concepts. A question-and-answer section at the end of each chapter anticipates these questions to help students tackle and understand especially tricky, confusing, or difficult topics. Presents a broad range of coverage (including both experimental and non-experimental methods) that also balances breadth and depth of coverage and does not go into the depth and sometimes tedious detail presented in longer methods books. Gives examples from both published and student research that serve to illustrate not only “good” research design but also to provide scenarios where a violation of an attribute of good research has occurred. Employs a casual, relaxed style of writing. The authors make frequent use of “FYI” boxes, which provide cautionary notes to students and more fully explain certain difficult or confusing concepts. Incorporates useful pedagogical tools. Each chapter begins with clear objectives to which students can refer to get a snapshot of the material that they are about to read. End-of-chapter summaries are followed by chapter exercises and chapter projects, which are designed to test whether students have mastered those objectives and to encourage them to apply what they’ve learned in the chapter.

High-Quality Ancillaries Available

The text is accompanied by an Instructor’s Resource CD-ROM and a Student Study Site at www.sagepub.com/evansmprstudy, both of which include material created by the authors themselves.

The Instructor's CD-ROM features:

PowerPoint slides for each chapter for use during class lectures A computerized test bank including multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer or essay questions Sample syllabi Discussion questions Classroom activities and homework assignments Suggested website resources Suggested readings

The Student Study Site at www.sagepub.com/evansmprstudy provides:

Chapter summaries and objectives for each chapter Flashcards of all the key terms and concepts Self-quizzes SAGE journal articles Internet activities and resources

Intended Audience: This core textbook is appropriate for undergraduate psychology courses such as Research Methods, Researrch Design, and Experimental Methods.

Paperback

First published December 17, 2007

Reviews

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

What. A. Blast. This, of course, was for school. It served its purpose of being a great resource. I didn't read it cover to cover, obviously. That being said, I guess I'm a bit of a cheater.