How to Design and Report Experiments - Softcover

Field, Andy; Hole, Graham J

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0761973834 ISBN 13: 9780761973836

Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd, 2003

Synopsis

How to Design and Report Experiments is the perfect textbook and guide to the often bewildering world of experimental design and statistics. It provides a complete map of the entire process beginning with how to get ideas about research, how to refine your research question and the actual design of the experiment, leading on to statistical procedure and assistance with writing up of results.

While many books look at the fundamentals of doing successful experiments and include good coverage of statistical techniques, this book very importantly considers the process in chronological order with specific attention given to effective design in the context of likely methods needed and expected results. Without full assessment of these aspects, the experience and results may not end up being as positive as one might have hoped. Ample coverage is then also provided of statistical data analysis, a hazardous journey in itself, and the reporting of findings, with numerous examples and helpful tips of common downfalls throughout.

Combining light humour, empathy with solid practical guidance to ensure a positive experience overall, Designing and Reporting Experiments will be essential reading for students in psychology and those in cognate disciplines with an experimental focus or content in research methods courses.

About this title

About the Author

Andy Field is Professor of Child Psychopathology at the University of Sussex. He has published over 80 research papers, 29 book chapters, and 17 books mostly on child emotional development and statistics. 

He is the founding editor of the Journal of Experimental Psychopathology and has been an associate editor and editorial board member for the British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology, Cognition and Emotion, Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review and Research Synthesis Methods. 

His ability to make statistics accessible and fun has been recognized with local and national teaching awards (University of Sussex, 2001, 2015, 2016; the British Psychological Society, 2007), a prestigious UK National Teaching Fellowship (2010), and the British Psychological Society book award (2006). He adores cats (and dogs), and loves to listen to and play very heavy music. He lives in Brighton with his wonderful wife Zoë and their children.

Review

This book is highly recommended for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students and even trainee clinical psychologists who need a quick revision of statistical concepts and experimental designs. My only regret was not purchasing this book during my early Undergraduate years, I have read and re-read countless books on the same phenomena, and despite the detail these books comprise of, they have never been able to impact on me the way this book has. Without sounding too much like a cliché’, if your only ever going to buy one statistical and research book, it has to be this one. Consider this the bible of all things statistically related!
M. L
Psych Me Up!

I strongly recommend this book. The all-important steps of defining the research question and choosing an appropriate method are clearly written by these experienced authors and by doing so provide a framework, which if followed, would avoid many of the common difficulties encountered by those in training. The book is a succinct, clear, and readable treatise on this extremely important area. It should prove to be invaluable to researchers, practicing social scientists, students and anyone involved in the design and reporting of experiments
Social Psychological Review

Edition details

• Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0761973834
• ISBN 13: 9780761973836
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 384