Practical Research: Planning and Design

Written in uncommonly engaging, lucid, and elegant prose, this text is an "understand-it-yourself, do-it-yourself" manual designed to help research students in any discipline understand the fundamental structure of quality research and the methodical process that leads to genuinely significant results. It guides the reader, step-by-step, from the selection of a problem to study, through the process of conducting authentic research, to the preparation of a completed report, with practical suggestions based on a solid theoretical framework and sound pedagogy. Suited for the core text in any introductory research course or even for self-instruction, this text will show students two things: 1) that quality research demands planning and design; and, 2) how their own research projects can be executed effectively and professionally.

Practical Research is a comprehensive guide to research methodology. Ideally suited for self-instruction, the text provides all of the basics necessary to complete an undergraduate or graduate research project in any discipline.

Features of the seventh edition:

• Guidelines, Checklists, Computer Prompts, and excerpts from actual research projects guide the reader through all phases of the research process.
• Many new topics have been added, including: On-line research, evaluating literature, identifying appropriate measurement instruments, criteria for evaluating qualitative research, cross-sectional studies, and observation studies.