Research Design for the Behavioral Sciences: An Applied Approach

by Stephen V. Flynn (Editor)

"I wholeheartedly invite counselor trainees and counselors into this journey of growing the research component of their professional identity... Flynn and his colleagues prepare counselor trainees and counselors for this journey well and guide them carefully toward researcher competency. In an approachable and developmentally appropriate manner, they highlight for the profession the value of research and how it can be conducted."



- Danica G. Hays, PhD

American Counseling Fellow

Professor and Executive Associate Dean

University of Nevada, Las Vegas



Research Design for the Behavioral Sciences fills an important gap for the helping professions by offering a blueprint for advanced concepts and an applied approach to understanding quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research design. This graduate-level text seamlessly weaves together the philosophy, science, and practical application of the most common methodological frameworks in practice. Advanced research design concepts are presented through clear and in-depth blueprints, applied case studies, myriad examples, and helpful learning activities.



Written in detailed yet accessible language, this text describes the foundations of behavioral science research. The authors explore research-based philosophical integration, along with the technical application of every tradition. Through this philosophical and pragmatic approach, students will be able to attain a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of behavioral science research.



This text provides students with the opportunity to reach a greater level of research efficacy though the inclusion of methodological procedures, data analysis methods, reliability/validity standards, ethics, and directions on how to increase the rigor of each approach to research. Instructor resources include an instructor's manual, learning activities, test bank, and PowerPoints. Purchase includes digital access for use on most mobile devices and computers.



Key



Provides clear, detailed, and contextually accurate examples of writing, quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods proceduresReviews the paradigmatic hierarchy of each research tradition along with key analytic features in detailDelivers instructions for enhancing the methodological rigor of each approachAnalyzes methodology-specific multicultural issuesDemonstrates the application of a wide range of research methodologies with case studiesReviews the trends and history in research for counseling, psychology, social work, and marriage and family therapyOffers comprehensive instructor resources including manual, learning activities, test bank, and PowerPoint slides

559 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 17, 2021

About the author

Stephen Flynn PhD, LPC, LMFT earned his MA degree from Rowan University and his PhD from the University of Northern Colorado. Dr. Flynn is an associate professor of counselor education and is a research fellow in the Center of Research and Innovation at Plymouth State University, Plymouth, New Hampshire. He teaches research, clinical, and writing courses for the Counselor Education, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Educational Leadership graduate programs at Plymouth State University. He is a licensed professional counselor (CO), licensed marriage and family therapist (CO, NH), national certified counselor, approved clinical supervisor, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Clinical Fellow, and an AAMFT Approved supervisor. Dr. Flynn has published numerous research articles using diverse methodological frameworks; including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. His research and scholarship interests include five areas (a) research methodology and processes, (b) the relationship between altruism and self-interest, (c), multicultural and diversity issues, (d) counselor preparation, and (e) student retention.; Dr. Flynn enjoys spending time with his family and is an outdoor enthusiast.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the exception of Chapter 6, this textbook is exceptional. Clarity, precision, efficiency, and tone combine to explain the relevant aspects of research design and analysis for graduate level counseling students. Chapter 6 appears unedited, with multiple sentence fragments and errors noticeable by this reader, who is very unfamiliar with the topic. I genuinely enjoyed most chapters, and relied on the excellent organization to work through my assignments.