Research Basics: Design to Data Analysis in Six Steps offers a fresh and creative approach to the research process based on author James V. Spickard’s decades of teaching experience. Using an intuitive six-step model, readers learn how to craft a research question and then identify a logical process for answering it. Conversational writing and multi-disciplinary examples illuminate the model’s simplicity and power, effectively connecting the “hows” and “whys” behind social science research. Students using this book will learn how to turn their research questions into results.
This introductory textbook presents research methods and data analysis tools in non-technical language. It explains the research process and the basics of qualitative and quantitative data analysis, including procedures and methods, analysis, interpretation, and applications using hands-on data examples in QDA Miner Lite and IBM SPSS Statistics software. The book is divided into four parts that address study and research design; data collection, qualitative methods and surveys; statistical methods, including hypothesis testing, regression, cluster and factor analysis; and reporting. The intended audience is business and social science students learning scientific research methods, however, given its business context, the book will be equally useful for decision-makers in businesses and organizations.
This book provides proper direction in doing research especially towards the understanding of research objectives, and research hypotheses. The book also guides in research methodology such as the methods of designing a questionnaire, methods of sampling, methods of data collection and methods of data analysis. The data analysis covers data mining, descriptive analysis, factor analysis, and reliability analysis. Besides this, the book assesses the normality distribution of data since this is crucial in determining the types of statistical analysis to be employed. More importantly, the book offers guide in analysing the correlational effects, causal effects, mediator effects and also the moderator effect among variables in a model.
This text will enable readers to use tools to design, conduct and report research in a way that transforms, when appropriate, the delivery of special education.
Communication research is evolving and changing in a world of online journals, open-access, and new ways of obtaining data and conducting experiments via the Internet. Although there are generic encyclopedias describing basic social science research methodologies in general, until now there has been no comprehensive A-to-Z reference work exploring methods specific to communication and media studies. Our entries, authored by key figures in the field, focus on special considerations when applied specifically to communication research, accompanied by engaging examples from the literature of communication, journalism, and media studies. Entries cover every step of the research process, from the creative development of research topics and questions to literature reviews, selection of best methods (whether quantitative, qualitative, or mixed) for analyzing research results and publishing research findings, whether in traditional media or via new media outlets. In addition to expected entries covering the basics of theories and methods traditionally used in communication research, other entries discuss important trends influencing the future of that research, including contemporary practical issues students will face in communication professions, the influences of globalization on research, use of new recording technologies in fieldwork, and the challenges and opportunities related to studying online multi-media environments. Email, texting, cellphone video, and blogging are shown not only as topics of research but also as means of collecting and analyzing data. Still other entries delve into considerations of accountability, copyright, confidentiality, data ownership and security, privacy, and other aspects of conducting an ethical research program. Features: 652 signed entries are contained in an authoritative work spanning four volumes available in choice of electronic or print formats. Although organized A-to-Z, front matter includes a Reader’s Guide grouping entries thematically to help students interested in a specific aspect of communication research to more easily locate directly related entries. Back matter includes a Chronology of the development of the field of communication research; a Resource Guide to classic books, journals, and associations; a Glossary introducing the terminology of the field; and a detailed Index. Entries conclude with References/Further Readings and Cross-References to related entries to guide students further in their research journeys. The Index, Reader’s Guide themes, and Cross-References combine to provide robust search-and-browse in the e-version.
This third edition of Introduction to Research Methods and Data Analysis in Psychology provides you with a unique, balanced blend of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Highly practical in nature, the book guides you, step-by-step, through the research process and is underpinned by SPSS screenshots, diagrams and examples throughout.
W. Newton Suter argues that what is important in a changing education landscape is the ability to think clearly about research methods, reason through complex problems and evaluate published research. He explains how to evaluate data and establish its relevance.
This text provides a solid intellectual grounding in the area of qualitative research. It examines theoretical underpinnings, methodological perspectives and empirical approaches.
Research Methods in Education introduces research methods as an integrated set of techniques for investigating questions about the educational world. This lively, innovative text helps students connect technique and substance, appreciate the value of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and make ethical research decisions. It weaves actual research "stories" into the presentation of research topics, and it emphasizes validity, authenticity, and practical significance as overarching research goals. The text is divided into three sections: Foundations of Research (5 chapters), Research Design and Data Collection (7 chapters), and Analyzing and Reporting Data (3 chapters). This tripartite conceptual framework honors traditional quantitative approaches while reflecting the growing popularity of qualitative studies, mixed method designs, and school-based techniques. This approach provides a comprehensive, conceptually unified, and well-written introduction to the exciting but complex field of educational research.
A must-have volume for every communication researcher's library, The SAGE Sourcebook of Advanced Data Analysis Methods for Communication Research provides an introductory treatment of various advanced statistical methods applied to research in the field of communication. Written by authors who use these methods in their own research, each chapter gives a non-technical overview of what the method is and how it can be used to answer communication-related questions or aide the researcher dealing with difficult data problems. Students and faculty interested in diving into a new statistical topic—such as latent growth modeling, multilevel modeling, propensity scoring, or time series analysis—will find each chapter an excellent springboard for acquiring the background needed to jump into more advanced, technical readings.
