An Applied Guide to Research Designs: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods

The Second Edition of An Applied Guide to Research Designs offers researchers in the social and behavioral sciences guidance for selecting the most appropriate research design to apply in their study. Using consistent terminology, the authors visually present a range of research designs used in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods to help readers conceptualize, construct, test, and problem solve in their investigation. The Second Edition features revamped and expanded coverage of research designs, new real-world examples and references, a new chapter on action research, and updated ancillaries.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: The Scientific Method and Relevant Components The Scientific Method Validity and Research Designs Design Logic Design Notations Assignment Techniques Comparison and Control Groups Sampling Strategies Research Questions Part I: Quantitative Methods for Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research Experimental Research Quasi-Experimental Research Chapter 2: Between-Subjects Approach Pretest and Posttest Designs Posttest Designs Chapter 3: Regression-Discontinuity Approach Chapter 4: Within-Subjects Approach Repeated-Measures Approach Chapter 5: Factorial Designs Chapter 6: Solomon N-Group Designs Chapter 7: Single-Case Approach Part II: Quantitative Methods for Nonexperimental Research Chapter 8: Ex Post Facto and Posttest-Only Designs Chapter 9: Observational Approach Explanatory Design Predictive Design Chapter 10: Survey Approach Cross-Sectional Design Longitudinal Design Part III: Qualitative Methods Chapter 11: Grounded Theory Perspective Systematic Design Emerging Design Constructivist Design Chapter 12: Ethnographic Perspective Realist Design Critical Design Case Study Design Chapter 13: Narrative Perspective Descriptive Design Explanatory Design Critical Design Chapter 14: Phenomenological Perspective Existential Design Transcendental Design Hermeneutic Design Case Study Design Part IV: Mixed Methods Chapter 15: Convergent-Parallel Approach Parallel-Databases Design Data-Transformation Design Data-Validation Design Multilevel Design Chapter 16: Embedded Approach Embedded-Experiment Design Embedded-Correlational Design Embedded Case Study Design Chapter 17: Explanatory-Sequential Approach Follow-Up Explanations Design Participant-Selection Design Chapter 18: Exploratory-Sequential Approach Instrument-Development Design Theory-Development Design Treatment-Development Design Chapter 19: Mixed Methods, Case Studies, and Single-Case Approaches Mixed-Method A-B-A Designs Chapter 20: Action Research Approaches Chapter 21: Conclusion Philosophical Tenets Data Analytics Final Remarks

About the Author :
W. Alex Edmonds, PhD, BCB, is currently an associate professor of research at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida. He graduated from Florida State University and received his doctoral degree in Educational Psychology with a minor in Statistics and Measurement. Over the years, Dr. Edmonds has applied his knowledge of research design, measurement, and assessment in both field and laboratory examinations. He has published extensively in a variety of areas such as psychophysiology and educational psychology. His primary interest revolves around applying unique methodological and statistical techniques as a means to exploring the relationship between emotions, physiology and performance in a variety of domains. He also has over 10 years of experience in applying biofeedback in field and research applications. While in graduate school, he conducted his field work with the track and field team at Florida State and started using biofeedback for research and practice during this time. He has utilized biofeedback extensively with various types of athletes for performance enhancement, as well as stress-regulation techniques for individuals with type 2 diabetes and pain management for patients suffering from chronic pain. Dr. Edmonds is certified through the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance in general biofeedback. Tom D. Kennedy, PhD, BCB, is currently an associate professor of research at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida. He received his PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Miami and his MA in Clinical Psychology from Southern Methodist University. He has been a faculty member at NSU for five years where he has developed and taught research and statistics courses. He is the Institutional Review Board representative for the School of Education. His clinical experience consists of providing neuropsychological assessments, behavioral medicine interventions, and group therapy in inpatient and outpatient settings, including the following: the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, University of Miami Mailman Center for Child Development, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami Institute for Individual and Family Therapy, and the Dallas County Jail. His research interests include two convergent tracks, one focusing on at-risk children and adolescents and the other exploring biofeedback and other complementary and alternative medicine interventions. He has been the recipient of multiple grants and provides evaluation and grant writing services for various organizations in south Florida. He has published and presented in the areas of juvenile crime, psychophysiology, and research methodology. Dr. Kennedy is a licensed psychologist PY 8307 and is certified through the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance in general biofeedback and maintains a small private practice for children and adolescence.

Review :
"This text is intellectually stimulating and challenges students to take a comprehensive approach to their understanding of research designs and concepts. I appreciate the high expectations that the authors have for their readers to fully understand the nature and depth of the research process." "I find this text to be especially clear in its approach, while the use of examples and sample exercises would be highly effective for practical, in-class learning. Additionally, the text would be an excellent resource as students put together their research designs, and it would likely work well alongside a more theoretical companion text." "The research study examples provided in connection to each research design reflect an additional strength to this text. What I like about this text is that it contains a comprehensive view of designs, without bias regarding one paradigm being better than the other." "This is a very useful, practical, and well-devised textbook."