Research Methods in Psychology

'An excellent introduction to Research Methods. In fact it is more than an introduction - it is a sophisticated coverage for a book of this type. I would be more than happy to have my students use this book. and would recommend it to my colleagues. The authors take the topic seriously, and cover the broad range of research methods rather than focusing more narrowly on strict experimental designs. I consider that a real asset because there are many things worth investigating in this world that are not amenable to true experiments' - David C Howell, Professor Emeritus, University of Vermont Covering the key research methods - both qualitative and quantitative - this fully updated Third Edition of the best-selling textbook has been significantly revised and restructured in order to take into account developments in the techniques available to students and researchers in psychology and across the social sciences. A rich diversity of methods is encompassed, with each discussed fairly and robustly by an expert in the field. The book now has extended coverage of qualitative methods, and each of the primary qualitative methods used in psychology today.Since the second edition, some narrower chapters have been pulled together and more niche chapters have been removed - the result is a more teacher-friendly structure. Key features of the Third Edition include: - A new three-section structure, mirroring the three major processes in conducting research: the specification of the research question and design of the research activity; the choice of data gathering method; and the selection of data treatment regime. - Extended heuristic devices - more illustrative case study material, updated examples from current research to illustrate recent developments in methods and techniques, key words in bold at the end of chapters, end of chapter summaries and annotated further reading sections to assist in advanced research - A companion website is available offering a range of features for lecturers on a restricted access basis, and for students more publicly. These will help with exam assessment and written project work.Written in a lively and accessible style, Research Methods in Psychology ensures that progress towards a thorough understanding and skilled use of these various approaches can be achieved in easy stages, and the text is therefore essential reading for all methods courses that draw on the array of research techniques available in psychology.

Table of Contents:
Theory, Method and Research Design - Glynis Breakwell Practical and Ethical Issues in Planning Research - Martyn Barrett Levels of Measurement - Chris Fife-Schaw The Experimental Method in Psychology - Alyson Davis and Gavin Bremner Quasi-Experimental Designs - Chris Fife-Schaw Surveys and Sampling - Patrick Sturgis Observation - Rudi Dallos Psychophysiological Methods - Paul Sowden and Paul Barrett Psychophysical Methods - David Rose Using Psychometric Tests - Sean Hammond Questionnaire Design - Chris Fife-Schaw Interviewing Methods - Glynis Breakwell Using Self-Recording - Glynis Breakwell Diary and Narrative Methods Focus Groups - Lynne J Millward Ethnographic and Action Research - David Uzzell and Julie Barnett Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis - Jonathan A Smith and Virginia Eatough Grounded Theory - Karen Henwood and Nick Pidgeon Discourse Analysis - Adrian Coyle Principles of Statistical Inference Tests - Chris Fife-Schaw Introduction to Multivariate Data Analysis - Sean Hammond Introduction to Structural Equation Modelling - Chris Fife-Schaw Meta-analysis - David O'Sullivan

Review :
Praise for Previous Editions 'This book should whet the appetite of its readers, encouraging them to discover more about the many alternatives open to the research psychologist' - Perception 'The breadth of methods covered is impressive, encompassing quantitative and qualitative approaches... The style of the book is very accessible and well-suited to a novice researcher in psychology or education. Jargon is kept to a refreshing minimum and, where needed, explained clearly. I recommend this text strongly and shall certainly use it with higher degree and research students who are new to the research process in education or psychology. The book is wider in foci than many introductory texts and presents a friendly, well-balanced approach to methodological issues' - School Psychology International 'Each chapter provides sufficient exposition for both the beginning student and the more experienced researcher to make informed decisions about the appropriateness and limitations of particular methods for specific research questions. The text does not shy away from dealing with complex and at times rather technical issues, where these need to be fully understood before a particular technique can be used appropriately' - British Journal of Developmental Psychology 'A highly recommendable text which shows that one does not have to sacrifice authority in order to gain approachability' - Journal of Environmental Psychology "This is an excellent text on research methods, and one of the best that I have reviewed... It is unusual to see a work authored by four people where the chapters blend so well with each other. The styles are highly compatible and the text flows well... My general summary of the book is that it is an excellent introduction to Research Methods. In fact it is more than an introduction--it is a sophisticated coverage for a book of this type. I would be more than happy to have my students use this book and would recommend it to my colleagues." -- David Howell, University of Vermont 20060217