The Practical Researcher: A Student Guide to Conducting Psychological Research

In this book, Dana S. Dunn provides students with a concise, engaging, and practical introduction to research methods and the process of conducting research. New Doing Research decision trees open each chapter and guide students through the active learning exercises that inform the research process Research Foundations boxes explore common issues encountered by researchers and use examples to bring research to life Practical tools and tips for doing research appear throughout such as writing an experimental script, operationalizing independent and dependent variables, and creating manipulation checks, among many others Over 40 Active Learning Exercises help students build practical skills such as creating a project time line, developing a peer research contract, using a random numbers table, and reporting results in poster or paper form, among many others Generating Research Ideas section provides easy to follow guidelines for developing ideas by using freewriting, keeping a research notebook, or brainstorming research ideas alone or as a research team Critical thinking is emphasized when searching, reading, and writing about psychological literature Updated chapter on Ethical Considerations in the Practice of Research includes a solid foundation and practical exercises (e.g., completing a form for an ethics review (IRB), helping students to write an informed consent form, crafting a scientifically and ethically sound debriefing script) Updated references and research practices includes the latest APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct Expanded advice on presenting research at student conferences and submitting project results to student journals New annotated student paper in Appendix A

Table of Contents:
List of Active Learning Exercises Preface to the Second Edition Acknowledgments 1. The Why and How of Psychological Research Why Do Research? The Research Loop of Experimentation The How of Research: Practical Issues When Beginning a Project To Collaborate or Not to Collaborate? Summary Key Terms Suggested Readings 2. Research Approaches and Generating Ideas Some Approaches to Research Generating Research Ideas Critiquing Research Ideas Trust and Conducting Research Summary Key Terms Suggested Readings 3. Searching and Reading the Psychological Literature Why Are Journals Emphasized? Locating the Literature How to Read an Empirical Journal Article or Book Chapter Keeping Track of Research Materials Note Taking Summary Key Terms Suggested Readings 4. Writing: A First and Last Consideration Mastering APA Style The Format of an APA-Style Paper Practical Issues for Writing Sharing Paper Drafts Writing All the Time Summary Key Terms Suggested Readings 5. Ethical Considerations in the Practice Of Research Human and Animal Research Balancing Participant Welfare and Scientific Advancement Informed Consent Recruiting Research Participants and Administering Credit How to Treat Research Participants Debriefing Human Participants Ethics Outside the Laboratory Beyond Ethics: Telling the Truth with Research Summary Key Terms Suggested Readings 6. Experimental Research Formulating a Testable Hypothesis Reliability and Validity Manipulating Independent Variables Error Measuring Dependent Variables Avoiding Bias Sampling and Assigning Participants Research Design: Factor and Factorial Single Participant Experiments Conclusion: A Model of the True Experiment Summary Key Terms Suggested Readings 7. Applied and Field Research: Nonexperimental Approaches Validity and Context Correlational Research Quasi-experiments Surveys Remaining Practical Concerns in Applied and Field Research External Validity as Opportunity Summary Key Terms Suggested Readings 8. Planning Analysis and Displaying Data Statistics as a Tool Review of Basic Statistical Issues Selecting the Appropriate Statistical Test What Do the Statistical Results Mean, Anyway? Displaying Data Coda: Keeping Data and Analysis Records Summary Key Terms Suggested Readings 9. Presenting and Publishing Research Writing: A Brief Reprise Giving a Research Presentation Forums for Research: Where Can You Present? Conclusion Summary Key Terms Suggested Readings 10. Closing Thoughts and Future Directions Asking the Right Questions in Psychological Research The Place of Research: Skills Acquired, Skills Applied Beyond Distinctive Skills: What is the Practical Good of Learning Research Methods? Giving Psychology Away Loving the Research Process: A Responsibility Summary Suggested Readings Appendix A: Sample Student Paper Written in APA Style Appendix B: Statistical Analyses Appendix C: Statistical Tables Appendix D: Professional Issues for the Future: Presenting Yourself Glossary References Author Index Subject Index

About the Author :
Dana S. Dunn is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Learning in Common Curriculum at Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA. He serves as President of the Society for the Teaching of Psychology in 2010.