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

Students often struggle with conceptualizing the most appropriate research design, before they begin collecting data and answering their research question. This book presents quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research designs in education and the social and behavioral sciences using consistent terminology, and in a way that students can understand and apply in their own investigations. The book helps students conceptualize, construct, test, problem solve, and acquire knowledge, through a wealth of visual aids and real-world examples. It is an ideal text for coursework and also a reference in the field.

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. Thomas D. Kennedy is dean and professor of philosophy atBerry College, Mount Berry, Georgia.

Review :
The array of approaches is impressively inclusive; an excellent guide for a student seeking a methodology. --Ralph E. Swan" A clear and succinct overview of research designs. This guide provides an organized visual layout of the various designs and approaches used for research in qualitative methods. --Ronald J. Chenail" The text does has two distinct strengths: it covers in depth a topic that needs to be addressed and few other books have this level of detail; and it does a very nice job of visually presenting various examples of research design. This text is both practical and useful for students. --Peter M. Jonas" This text s information is readily accessible and organized with great examples to guide students. The literature based examples are really helpful. --Betty Carter Dorr" The strength of this text lies in its succinct go-to style. For me, it is like the APA Publication Manual in that it will be a resource for not only classroom learning, but also for faculty research and article review. --John L. Garland" The presentation of research scenario examples including design and probable statistical analyses is one thing often missing in general research texts. I also like the design and analyses depicted in pictorial/graphical format, which allows ease in understanding. --Rebecca Keele" The topics progress in a logical order although [it] allows flexibility to read stand-alone topics. It is a reference text that one can readily turn to and refer to as a guide. --Theodore D. Joseph" It fills a huge void in the field of psychology in providing students and professors with a survey of research designs that are most appropriate to answering the many different and wide range of questions that students are now interested in pursuing. --Cynthia E. Winston" This is a scholarly, useful presentation on research design. I applaud the book s wide range of clearly defined research concepts. --Daniel L. Stufflebeam" It is important to remember that it is the design and not the statistic that is the basis for inference, making the study of of vital importance, and this book is an invaluable resource for both social scientists and aspiring social scientists. --Paul E. Spector" 'Using a wide range of visual aids (diagrams and visual models) and real-world examples, the authors provide readers with a self-contained package by which they can decide on what design to select for their study, and how to employ their selected design to address their research questions. This book is recommended to those seeking to develop their understanding of research design and wishing to adopt appropriate designs to conduct credible research, particularly in the areas of the social and behavioural sciences. '--Maryam Nazari & G.E. Gorman "Online Information Review ""