Social Science Research Design and Statistics : A Practitioner's Guide to Research Methods and SPSS Analysis

This book integrates social science research methods and the descriptions of 46 univariate, bivariate, and multivariate tests to include a description of the purpose, assumptions, example research question and hypothesis, SPSS procedure, and interpretation of SPSS output for each test. Included throughout the book are various sidebars highlighting key points, images and SPSS screenshots to assist understanding the material presented, self-test reviews at the end of each chapter, a decision tree to facilitate identification of the proper statistical test, examples of SPSS output with accompanying analysis and interpretations, links to relevant web sites, and a comprehensive glossary. Underpinning all these features is a concise, easy to understand explanation of the material.

Alfred P. (Fred) Rovai, a native of San Jose, California, received a BA degree (mathematics) from San Jose State University, an MA degree (public administration) from the University of Northern Colorado, and an MS degree (education) and PhD degree (academic leadership) from Old Dominion University. Following his retirement from the U.S. Army he served as a faculty member at Old Dominion University and then at Regent University where he retired as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. During his career in academe he authored or co-authored three books and more than 50 articles in scholarly journals. He presently writes, consults, and serves as an adjunct professor teaching research and statistics courses online. 

Jason D. Baker is a professor of education at Regent University where he serves as the distance education advisor in a blended EdD program. He earned his BS degree in electrical engineering from Bucknell University, MA degree in education from The George Washington University, and PhD in communication from Regent University. He has consulted with various organizations regarding educational technology and online learning. Previously he served as an educational consultant and senior systems engineer at Loyola College in Maryland and associate engineer at IBM Federal Systems Company. 

Michael K. Ponton holds an EdD degree in higher education administration and a MS degree in engineering from The George Washington University and a BS degree in physics from Old Dominion University. He serves as professor of education at Regent University, teaching primarily doctoral research courses. He has published extensively in the field of self-directed learning, where his research interests include adult learning, personal initiative, autonomous learning, and social cognitive theory. Before coming to Regent, he was associate professor of higher education at the University of Mississippi and an aerospace engineer for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.