Research Basics: Design to Data Analysis in Six Steps

by James V. Spickard

Research Design to Data Analysis in Six Steps offers a fresh and creative approach to the research process based on author James V. Spickard’s decades of teaching experience. Using an intuitive six-step model, readers learn how to craft a research question and then identify a logical process for answering it. Conversational writing and multi-disciplinary examples illuminate the model’s simplicity and power, effectively connecting the “hows” and “whys” behind social science research. Students using this book will learn how to turn their research questions into results.

Genres: Nonfiction

426 pages, Paperback

Published October 4, 2016

Reviews

[Neil R. Coulter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't love very many textbooks. Usually they seem like too much money for poorly laid-out, complicated content. James Spickard's Research Basics is different. SAGE Publishing offered me a preview of the book last year before it was published, and I was very intrigued. After giving feedback to the publisher (which they used to make significant changes in the layout before they printed the book), I was happy to receive a copy of the final textbook. I received it a little too late to incorporate it into my master's-level research methods course last year, but I've just finished teaching it this year, and I really enjoyed it.

One of the things that is most difficult to teach in a clear, concise manner is the research process. The result is that students feel adrift in major class projects, not understanding the steps to take or why they get stuck at some points along the way. Spickard lays out the process really clearly, with helpful examples along the way. He helps students new to research understand how each step leads to the next one, and problems encountered in one step very likely mean something was unclear in the previous step. Though field research, especially in cross-cultural situations, will always have unpredictable elements, this book is very good at reminding the researcher of the big picture.

I used this with students preparing to research artistic traditions, so Spickard's examples, all from actual social science and sociology research projects, needed some adjustment in order for my students to see the relevance to their own work. This was not difficult to do, and even the examples in the book are useful for seeing how other branches of the humanities might approach situations.s

I found Research Basics easy to teach, engaging for new grad students, and helpful in many ways. I recommend it highly.

[Titus Hjelm · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute gem of a book. I think the research process is messier than the steps presented here (and it should be acknowledged), and I have some issues with minor things here, but other than that, this is by far the best intro to research design that I have read. Beats Cresswell any day with clarity and the crucial point that research design is not about methods. Warmly recommended.