Beginning Behavioral Research: A Conceptual Primer - Hardcover

Ralph L. Rosnow; Robert Rosenthal

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0024037818 ISBN 13: 9780024037817

Publisher: Macmillan Coll Div, 1993

Synopsis

Continuing the Chain of Discovery and Understanding Beginning Behavioral Research introduces students to the broad base and conceptual underpinnings of basic principles of ethical research with human participants from (a) the development of ideas and testable hypotheses, to (b) the selection of appropriate methods of measurement and data collection, to (c) the design and implementation of empirical research, to (d) the statistical analysis and interpretation of results, and finally, to (e) the reporting of findings and conclusions. The authors emphasize good research, empirical reasoning, and the continuity of psychological science in the continuing cycle of discovery and understanding. The beginning in the title of this text is intended to have a double meaning. It not only describes the level of the material but also conveys the idea of a journey. For some students, the journey will be completed at the end of the course in which this text is used. For others, the journey will have just begun. In either case, students will have a deeper understanding of the applicability and limits of the scientific method.They will also have learned how to frame questions about the scientific results they read or hear about in the media in ways that will allow them to reach beyond other people's conclusions or assertions and decide for themselves what is true. Additional Learning Goals Upon completing this book, students who are expected to conduct a research study should be able to: * Craft a research idea that can be empirically tested* Choose methods of data collection and measurement* Develop a research proposal* Design and implement the research study* Approach the research data* Test and evaluate hypotheses and explore the results* Report the research project in the APA styleNote: MySearchLab with eText does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase MySearchLab with eText, please visit www.mysearchlab.com or you can purchase a ValuePack of the text + MySearchLab with eText (at no additional cost): ValuePack ISBN-10: 0205871895 / ValuePack ISBN-13: 9780205871896

About this title

From the Publisher

Focused on students as potential educated consumers of scientific research (rather than as professional producers of research), this text walks them step-by-step through the process of designing and conducting an empirical study, analyzing and interpreting the data, and reporting the findings and conclusions -- and in the process, encourages and prepares them to be analytical and critical in interpreting research findings -- whatever their source.

From the Back Cover

This introduction to behavioral research—written by two leaders in the field—was originally conceived as an undergraduate text for students who, as part of an introductory course in research methods, are required to plan an empirical study, analyze and interpret data, and report findings and conclusions. It encourages students to be analytical and critical, not only in interpreting research findings, but in seeing what is behind the claims and conclusions in news reports of scientific results. While the primary emphasis is on behavioral and social research, a strong effort is made to connect these disciplines with the empirical reasoning used in other fields in order to underscore the unity of science. The Third Edition has retained much of what made its predecessors so successful, while incorporating a wide variety of pedagogical devices and expanding and/or updating coverage throughout the text.

Edition details

• Publisher: Macmillan Coll Div
• Publication date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0024037818
• ISBN 13: 9780024037817
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 407