How psychological research makes a difference in everyday lives
Research Methods: A Tool for Life introduces readers to the importance of scientific research in every day life. Updated in the third edition, this text presents current research that engages students with familiar issues. Discussions of controversies in psychology stimulate student interest while explaining important methodological concepts, which helps students understand how new research emerges.
Learning Goals
Upon completing this book, readers should be able to:
- Generate a research question and select an appropriate methodology
- Deal appropriately with ethical issues related to research
- Conduct meaningful research using a wide array of methodologies
- Consider social and cultural factors when consuming or conducting research
- Write a Research Report
Table of Contents:
In this Section:
1) Brief Table of Contents
2) Full Table of Contents
BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Chapter 1: Psychology, Science, and Life
Chapter 2: Ethics in Research
Chapter 3: Planning Research: Generating a Question
Chapter 4: Practical Issues in Planning Your Research
Chapter 5: Measurement and Sampling
Chapter 6: Conducting an Experiment: General Principles
Chapter 7: Experiments with One Independent Variable
Chapter 8: Experiments with Multiple Independent Variables
Chapter 9: Expanding on Experimental Designs: Repeated Measures and Quasi-Experiments
Chapter 10: Principles of Survey Research
Chapter 11: Correlational Research
Chapter 12: Studying Patterns in the Natural World: Observational Approaches
Chapter 13: Research in Depth: Longitudinal and Single-Case Studies
Chapter 14: People Are Different: Considering Cultural and Individual Differences in Research
Appendix A: Writing a Research Report
Appendix B: Statistics Review
Appendix C: Statistical Tables
FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Chapter 1: Psychology, Science, And Life
Why Are Research Methods Important Tools For Life?
Why We Do Research
What Constitutes Scientific Knowledge
The Interaction Of Science And Culture
Controversy: Should Women Serve As Jurors?
Scientific Literacy
Controversy: Why Do Men Rape?
Chapter 2: Ethics In Research
Unethical Research Practices—Past And Present
Ethical Guidelines Created By The American Psychological Association
Legal Requirements And Ethics In Research
The Importance Of Social Context In Deciding On Ethics In Research
Controversy On Deception
What You Need To Do If Your Research Involves Deception
Ethical Issues In Special Circumstances
Chapter 3: Planning Research: Generating A Question
How Do Research Ideas Develop?
How Can You Develop Research Ideas?
The Virtual Laboratory: Research On The Internet
Checking On Research: The Role Of Replication
Controversy On Music–Does Music Make You Smarter?
How To Conduct A Literature Review
How To Read A Journal Article
Chapter 4: Practical Issues In Planning Your Research
Practical Questions In Planning Research
Understanding Your Research
Conducting Your Study
Choosing The Your Participants Or Subjects
Differing Approaches In Different Areas Of Psychology
Chapter 5: Measurement And Sampling
Psychological Concepts
Defining And Measuring Variables
Probability Sampling
Nonprobability Sampling
Making Useful Measurements
Considering Validity In Research
Controversy On Intelligence
Scales Of Measurement
Chapter 6: Conducting An Experiment: General Principles
Choosing A Methodology: The Practicalities Of Research
Determining The Causes Of Behavior
The Logic Of Experimental Manipulation
Ethics In Experimental, Clinical Research
Controversy: Withholding Treatment In Medical Research
Experimental Control
Controversy: Do Women Fear Success?
Experimenter Effects
Participant Effects
Interaction Effects Between Experimenters And Participants
Chapter 7: Experiments With One Independent Variable
Psychological Concepts
Independent And Dependent Variables
Types Of Independent And Dependent Variables
Controversy On Studying Race
Using Experiments To Determine Causation
Controversy On Studying Depression Experimentally
Comparing Two Groups
Comparing Multiple Groups
Data Analysis
Chapter 8: Experiments With Multiple Independent Variables
Research With Multiple Independent Variables
Main Effects
Interactions Between Variables
Controversy On Prejudice
Identifying Research Designs
Data Analysis
Controversy On Cell Phones And Driving
Chapter 9: Expanding On Experimental Designs: Repeated Measures And Quasi-Experiments
Repeated Measures Designs
Advantages Of Repeated Measures Designs
Limitations To Repeated Measures Designs
Data Analysis With Repeated Measures Designs
Quasi-Experimental Designs
Controversy: Does Sex + Neuroticism = Death?
Types Of Quasi-Experimental Designs
Controversy On Using Laws To Change Behavior
Chapter 10: Principles Of Survey Research
Surveys: Answering Diverse Questions
Controversy On The U.S. Census
Selecting Your Methodology
Controversy On Adolescent Smoking
Response Bias
Sampling Issues
Chapter 11: Correlational Research
Correlational Studies
Using The Correlational Approach
Controversy On Violence And The Media
Traditional Correlational Tests
Correlations With Multiple Variables
Controversy On The Mental Health Of College Students
Limitations Of Multivariate Correlational Analysis
Chapter 12: Studying Patterns In The Natural World: Observational Approaches
Observational Approaches
Scientific Versus Casual Observation
Studying Natural Behaviors
Controversy On Abnormal Behavior Of Captive Animals
Controversy On Rape In Animals
Approaches To Observational Research
Sampling Issues In Observational Research
Ethological Observations In Clinical Research
The Human Side Of Observational Research
Controversy On Public Versus Private Sex
Data Analysis In Observational Research
Chapter 13: Research In Depth: Longitudinal And Single-Case Studies
Longitudinal Research
Varieties Of Longitudinal Research
Controversy On Student Achievement
Issues In Longitudinal Designs
Data Analysis In Longitudinal Research
Single-Subject Experimentation
Methods Of Single-Case Designs
A Case Study: Tasting Pointed Chickens And Seeing Colored Numbers
Chapter 14: People Are Different: Considering Cultural And Individual Differences In Research
Different Cultural Perspectives
Defining An Individual’s Culture, Ethnicity, And Race
Cross-Cultural Concepts In Psychology
Controversy On Culture And Neurological Diagnosis
Is There A Biological Basis For Race?
Controversy On Different Races
Practical Issues In Cultural Research
Why The Concepts Of Culture And Ethnicity Are Essential In Research
Cultural Factors In Mental Health Research
Sex And Gender: Do Men And Women Come From Different Cultures?
Controversy On Men, Women, And Math
About the Author :
Bernard C. (Barney) Beins, Ph.D., is professor and chair of psychology at Ithaca College. He is author of about 150 articles, chapters, books, and pedagogical material and has given about 200 presentations. He recently received the Charles L. Brewer Distinguished Teaching of Psychology Award from the American Psychological Foundation. He is author with his daughter Agatha of Effective Writing in Psychology: Papers, Posters, and Presentations (Wiley-Blackwell) and Research Methods: A Tool for Life (Allyn & Bacon/Pearson).
