Introduction.- 1. The Research Question.- 2. Basic Concepts of Empirical Research.- 3. Data Collection.- 4. Basic Mathematics.- 5. Data Entry and Handling.- 6. Basic Concepts of Data Description and Analysis.- 7. Presentation and Illustration of Data.- 8. Choosing your Statistical Analyses.- 9. Statistical Analyses: Looking at Differences.- 10. Statistical Analyses: Looking at Effects.- 11. Statistical Analyses: Looking at Associations and Relationships.- 12. Writing up Research.- Appendix 1 – Standard Error of Skewness for Small Sample Sizes.- Appendix 2 – Critical Values for Wilcoxon Signed Rank.- Exercise Solutions.- General Glossary.- Excel Function Glossary.- References.
Daniela Aidley is a Professor of Business Psychology at the Applied University Westküste, Heide, Germany. Having first completed a Masters in Linguistics, Psychology and English, she worked at Harvey Nash HR Consulting and McKinsey, Inc. for five years before moving to the UK where she completed a PhD in Cognitive Psychology in 2012 at the University of Leicester. She then worked at Leicester University until 2017 when she moved back to Germany. Daniela is also a member of the Editorial Board at Sociological Research Online.
This refreshing new textbook offers a clear and approachable introduction to quantitative methods, using a project-based approach while presenting examples in both SPSS and Excel. The author’s extensive knowledge and succinct writing style guide you through the process of undertaking a quantitative research project step by step, from developing good research questions and preparing data for analysis to explaining how to present data in different situations, avoid bias, and write up results and reports. Showcasing a wide range of helpful learning features as well as a companion website, you are encouraged to follow practice analyses as you go. The book also offers a chapter dedicated to basic mathematics that will equip you with the skills required to understand the statistical analyses presented in the book.
Key features include:
A concise and accessible overview of the topic, grounding you in quantitative methods, statistics and mathematics, whatever your prior knowledge.
Quantitative methods explained using a practical project context
Extensive guidance on how to conduct analyses with both SPSS and Excel.
Engaging pedagogical features integrated throughout to help maximise understanding, including chapter objectives and summaries, ‘Review and Reflect’ questions, ‘Look Out!’ boxes to guide you through difficult sections, ‘Check Your Understanding’ exercises at the end of each chapter accompanied by solutions at the back of the book, and an Excel functions glossary.
A companion website containing a wealth of additional resources for lecturers and students, such as worksheets, SPSS and Excel data sets and examples, template participant information sheets and consent Forms, and project checklists.
Introducing Quantitative Methods is the ideal core text for students across social science and business departments taking introductory modules on quantitative methods, research methods or statistics at undergraduate or postgraduate level. It also acts as a guide for your own quantitative research project, making each stage both doable and enjoyable.
Daniela Aidley is a Professor of Business Psychology at the Applied University Westküste, Heide, Germany. She previously worked at Harvey Nash HR Consulting and McKinsey, Inc. and then at Leicester University until 2017. Daniela is also a member of the Editorial Board at Sociological Research Online.