Research Methods for Everyday Life: Blending Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches

ISBN-13: 9780470343531 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 352 str.

Scott W. VanderStoep; Deidre D. Johnson

Opis

This book offers an innovative introduction to social research. The book explores all stages of the research process and it features both quantitative and qualitative methods. Research design topics include sampling techniques, choosing a research design, and determining research question that inform public opinion and direct future studies. Throughout the book, the authors provide vivid and engaging examples that reinforce the reading and understanding of social science research. "Your Turn" boxes contain activities that allow students to practice research skills, such as sampling, naturalistic observation, survey collection, coding, analysis, and report writing.

Spis treści

About the Authors.

Preface.

Introduction.

CHAPTER 1: UNDERSTANDING RESEARCH.

The Research Process.

Types of Research.

Research Proposals.

Research Ethics.

Getting Acquainted with SPSS.

Summary.

Key Terms.

CHAPTER 2: THE WHO, HOW, AND WHY OF RESEARCH.

Who: Selecting a Sample.

How: Selecting a Research Strategy.

Why: Doing Research That Makes a Difference.

Summary.

Key Terms.

CHAPTER 3: QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH: MEASUREMENT AND DATA COLLECTION.

Measurement: Turning Abstractions into Variables.

Characteristics of Good Measures.

Collecting Data.

Summary.

Key Terms.

CHAPTER 4: QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH: DESCRIPTIVE AND CORRELATIONAL DESIGNS.

Basic Concepts.

Causation and Prediction.

Data Gathering.

Data Analysis.

Summary.

Key Terms.

CHAPTER 5: QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH: BASIC EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS.

Experimental Validity.

Types of Variables.

Characteristics of Experiments.

Types of Experimental Designs.

Data Analysis.

Summary.

Key Terms.

CHAPTER 6: QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH: ADVANCED EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS.

Basic Concepts.

Repeated–Measures Designs.

Complex Designs.

Quasi–Experimental Designs.

Data Analysis.

Summary.

Key Terms.

CHAPTER 7: WHAT IS QUALITATIVE RESEARCH?

Telling a Story . . . Qualitatively.

Two Worldviews on Research: Reality and Knowledge.

Comparison of Quantitative and Qualitative Research.

Critique of Quantitative Research.

Crisis of Representation.

Summary.

Key Terms.

CHAPTER 8: PLANNING YOUR QUALITATIVE STUDY: DESIGN, SAMPLING, AND DATA ANALYSIS.

Designing Qualitative Research.

Summary.

Key Terms.

CHAPTER 9: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS: ETHNOGRAPHY, PHENOMENOLOGY, CASE STUDY, TEXTUAL ANALYSIS, AND APPLIED RESEARCH.

Ethnography.

Phenomenology.

Case Study.

Textual Analysis.

Applied Research Methods: Action and Evaluation Research.

Summary.

Key Terms.

CHAPTER 10: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH TOOLS: INTERVIEWING, FOCUS GROUPS, AND OBSERVATION.

The First Tool: Defi ning the Context.

Qualitative Research Tools: How to Collect Data.

Summary.

Key Terms.

CHAPTER 11: PRESENTING YOUR RESEARCH FINDINGS.

Presenting Your Research with a Poster.

Presenting Your Research in an Oral Presentation.

Presenting Your Research in a Paper.

Reducing Bias in Research Reporting.

Summary.

Key Terms.

References.

Appendix A: A Sample Manuscript from a Quantitative Study.

Appendix B: A Sample Manuscript from a Qualitative Study.

Glossary.

Index.

O autorze

Scott W. VanderStoep, associate professor in the Department of Psychology, Hope College, Holland, Michigan, is the former director of the Carl Frost Center for Social Science Research at Hope College. He is the coauthor of Learning to Learn: The Skill and Will of College Success and editor of Science and the Soul: Christian Faith and Psychological Research.

Deirdre D. Johnston, professor in the Department of Communications, Hope College, Holland, Michigan, and is the author of The Art and Science of Persuasion.

Blurb

Research Methods for Everyday Life

Research Methods for Everyday Life is a fresh and engaging introduction to the process of social research and the variety of research methods, highlighting quantitative and qualitative methods and how to combine them. Taking readers step–by–step through each stage of the research process, the text includes many opportunities for practicing essential skills, such as sampling, naturalistic observation, survey collection, coding, analysis, and report writing. Coverage of quantitative methods includes measurement, correlational designs, basic experimental designs, and advanced experimental designs. Coverage of qualitative methods includes design and analysis, ethnography, and focus group interviewing. The authors cover sampling techniques, how to choose a research design, and how to determine research questions that inform public opinion and direct future studies. The book also covers disseminating of research findings through writing and public presentations.

Authors VanderStoep and Johnston enrich their text with illustrative examples from actual research that reinforce a clear understanding of social science research. ?

Praise for Research Methods for Everyday Life

"Anyone who has tried to integrate both qualitative and quantitative methodology in a research methods course will be grateful that there is finally a textbook that does this and does it well, given the combination of strengths of the two authors, VanderStoep and Johnston. I have been waiting for a book like this, especially with such interesting and fresh examples from real research that will likely inspire and engage my students."
Barbara Hofer, PhD, associate professor, Psychology, Middlebury College