Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences

Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences, Fourth Edition employs a problem-focused approach to present a clear and comprehensive introduction to research methods. Award-winning teacher and author Gregory J. Privitera fully integrates the research methods decision tree into the design process to help students choose the most appropriate method for the research question they are seeking to answer. The book’s conversational writing style and student-focused features empower students to view research methods as something they can both understand and apply. Over the course of the book, students learn how to structure a study to answer a research question and navigate through the process of choosing an appropriate analysis or statistic to write a research report. New elements to the Fourth Edition include a new standalone chapter on qualitative research, assumptions testing throughout chapters on quantitative research, and updated examples and figures to communicate the latest updates in behavioral science research. This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support. Watch this video walkthrough and see how Vantage works:                               

Table of Contents:
About the Author Acknowledgments Preface To the Student—How to Use SPSS With This Book Section I • Scientific Inquiry Chapter 1 • Introduction to Scientific Thinking Science as a Method of Knowing The Scientific Method Other Methods of Knowing The Goals of Science Approaches in Acquiring Knowledge Distinguishing Science From Pseudoscience Chapter 2 • Generating Testable Ideas Generating Interesting and Novel Ideas Converting Ideas to Hypotheses and Theories Developing Your Idea: Deduction and Induction Performing a Literature Review The “3 Cs” of an Effective Literature Review Testing Your Idea: Confirmation and Disconfirmation Chapter 3 • Research Ethics Ethics in Behavioral Research The Need for Ethics Committees in Research: A Historical Synopsis Ethics: Examples From Psychology Human Participant Research: IRBs and the APA Code of Conduct Animal Subject Research: IACUCs and the APA Code of Conduct Additional Ethical Considerations: Scientific Integrity Section II • Defining and Measuring Variables, Selecting Samples, and Choosing an Appropriate Research Design Chapter 4 • Identifying Scientific Variables Criteria for Defining and Measuring Variables Constructs and Operational Definitions Types of Variables Scales of Measurement Reliability of a Measurement Validity of a Measurement Selecting a Measurement Procedure SPSS in Focus: Entering and Coding Data Chapter 5 • Sampling From Populations Selecting Samples From Populations Methods of Sampling: Nonprobability Sampling Methods of Sampling: Probability Sampling Sampling Error and Standard Error of the Mean Potential Biases in Sampling SPSS in Focus Chapter 6 • Choosing a Research Design Designing a Study to Answer a Question Categories of Research Design Internal and External Validity Demonstrating Cause in an Experiment Threats to the Internal Validity of a Research Study Threats to the External Validity of a Research Study External Validity, Experimentation, and Realism Section III • Nonexperimental Research Designs Chapter 7 • Qualitative Research Designs An Overview of Qualitative Research Role of the Researcher and Entry Into the Field Sampling in Qualitative Research Types of Qualitative Data Qualitative Research Designs: Phenomenology, Ethnography, and Case Study Chapter 8 • Naturalistic and Existing Data Research Designs An Overview of Naturalistic Observation Techniques for Conducting Naturalistic Observations An Overview of Existing Data Designs Existing Data Research Designs: Archival Research, Content Analysis, and Meta-Analysis Chapter 9 • Survey and Correlational Research Designs An Overview of Survey Designs Rules for Writing Survey Items Administering Surveys Surveys, Sampling, and Nonresponse Bias The Structure of Correlational Designs Describing the Relationship Between Variables Limitations in Interpretation Correlation, Regression, and Prediction SPSS in Focus: Correlation and Linear Regression Section IV • Quasi-Experimental and Experimental Research Designs Chapter 10 • Quasi-Experimental and Single-Case Experimental Designs An Overview of Quasi-Experimental Designs Quasi-Experimental Design: Nonequivalent Control Group Designs Quasi-Experimental Design: Time Series Designs Quasi-Experimental Design: Developmental Designs An Overview of Single-Case Experimental Designs Single-Case Baseline-Phase Designs Validity, Stability, Magnitude, and Generality Chapter 11 • Between-Subjects Experimental Designs Conducting Experiments: Between-Subjects Design Manipulation and the Independent Variable Variability and the Independent Variable Comparing Two Independent Samples SPSS in Focus: Two-Independent-Sample t Test Comparing More Than Two Independent Samples SPSS in Focus: One-Way Between-Subjects ANOVA Measuring the Dependent Variable Chapter 12 • Within-Subjects Experimental Designs Conducting Experiments: Within-Subjects Design Controlling Time-Related Factors Individual Differences and Variability Comparing Two Related Samples SPSS in Focus: Related-Samples t Test Comparing Two or More Related Samples SPSS in Focus: One-Way Within-Subjects ANOVA An Alternative to Pre-Post Designs: Solomon Four-Group Design Comparing Between-Subjects and Within-Subjects Designs Chapter 13 • Factorial Experimental Designs Testing Multiple Factors in the Same Experiment Types of Factorial Designs Main Effects and Interactions Identifying Main Effects and Interactions in a Graph Including Quasi-Independent Factors in an Experiment Reasons for Including Two or More Factors in an Experiment SPSS in Focus: Computing a Factorial ANOVA Section V • Analyzing, Interpreting, And Communicating Research Data Chapter 14 • Analysis and Interpretation: Exposition of Data Descriptive Statistics: Why Summarize Data? Frequency Distributions: Tables and Graphs Measures of Central Tendency Measures of Variability SPSS in Focus: Central Tendency and Variability Graphing Means and Correlations Using Correlation to Describe Reliability SPSS in Focus: Cronbach’s Alpha and Cohen’s Kappa Chapter 15 • Analysis and Interpretation: Making Decisions About Data Inferential Statistics: What Are We Making Inferences About? Types of Error and Power Parametric Tests: Applying the Decision Tree Nonparametric Tests: Applying the Decision Tree SPSS in Focus: The Chi-Square Tests Effect Size: How Big Is an Effect in the Population? Estimation: What Are the Possible Values of a Parameter? Chapter 16 • Communicating Research: Preparing Manuscripts, Posters, and Talks Elements of Communication Writing a Manuscript: Writing Style and Language Elements of an APA-Style Manuscript Presenting a Poster Appendix A: APA-Style Writing, Sample Manuscript, and Posters Appendix B: Instructions for Randomizing and Counterbalancing Appendix C: SPSS General Instructions Guide and Statistical Tables Glossary References Index

About the Author :
Gregory J. Privitera is a three-time national-award-winning author and a professor of psychology at St. Bonaventure University where he is a recipient of its highest teaching honor, The Award for Professional Excellence in Teaching, and its highest honor for scholarship, The Award for Professional Excellence in Research and Publication. Dr. Privitera received his PhD in behavioral neuroscience in the field of psychology at the State University of New York at Buffalo and continued with his postdoctoral research at Arizona State University. His texts span diverse topics in psychology and the behavioral sciences and include an introductory psychology text, three statistics texts, two research methods texts, and multiple other texts bridging knowledge creation across health, health care, and analytics. In addition, Dr. Privitera has authored more than three dozen peer-reviewed papers aimed at advancing our understanding of health, health literacy, and informing policy in health care. His research has earned recognition by the American Psychological Association and in media to include Oprah’s Magazine, Time Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal. He mentors a variety of undergraduate research projects at St. Bonaventure University, where dozens of students, many of whom have gone on to earn graduate and doctoral degrees at various institutions, have coauthored and presented research work. In addition to his teaching, research, and advisement, Dr. Privitera is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, is an identical twin, and is married with two daughters, Grace Ann and Charlotte Jane, and two sons, Aiden Andrew and Luca James.   

Review :
Privitera′s book is the best book I′ve seen for my audience, and it is priced well below what some of the lesser-quality competitors offer. It is accessible to the non-math major and is written in a very good style and tone for the typical behavioral science student. This text is comprehensive, covering all areas of research methods in psychology.... This is a very solid text for introductory research methods. Privitera continues to produce quality textbooks and course material. I like that the text starts with a discussion of using SPSS, which immediately draws students into thinking about the essential links between statistics and research methods. "This is the smoothest student onboarding process I have ever experienced. Everything is syncing and the students were able to figure things out with almost no help from me." "Student performance after implementing Vantage is incredible...this is a really tangible way to see that." "I am really excited to have tools that help motivate students to actually do the reading..." "My learners really enjoyed the SAGE Vantage experience. Many of them said it forced them to read, which aided in their comprehension…The feedback I received is that they all really enjoyed the interactive nature of the program, as well as the [number] of activities..." "It really helps you wrap your head around what you′re learning and come to a complete understanding of the course material." "I think that Vantage [is] an ideal system that will promote engagement of students." "With Vantage, I set up my course in under 10 minutes, which is unheard of...I love Vantage!" "Extremely valuable! Interactive, engaging and simple to use." "I have used every other major digital platform that exists, and I can say that Vantage has no equal." "...Really going to deepen students′ understanding and...boost their comprehension."