Practical Research : Planning and Design

This easy-to-read manual guides the user, step by step, through all phases of the research process—from problem selection through writing up results. Its down-to-earth style is ideally suited for self-instruction with low anxiety, and explores the basic concepts and methods necessary to complete a research project in any discipline. Truly a how-to book, it contains guidelines, checklists, computer prompts, and excerpts from actual research proposals and reports across a wide variety of disciplines. Coverage of the use of the computer as a research tool includes, among other topics, detailed and practical discussions of doing research on-line—listing many relevant websites. An emphasis on qualitative and quantitative methodologies focuses on considerations in choosing an approach, methods for conducting observations and interviews, content analysis, ways to organize and analyze data, and criteria for evaluating it. For the beginning researcher 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.