Understanding Research Methods

An Overview of the Essentials (Eighth Edition)

• Designed for students who are getting lost in the details of research methods and not getting the big picture, this short book provides an overview of the essential concepts traditionally covered in a research methods class.
• Lively examples on contemporary topics stimulate students’ interest and show the relevance of research methods to their everyday lives.
• Divided into short sections, this book makes it easy for you to give customized assignments. Assign only the sections your students need.
• Shows students how to interpret statistics without computations.
• Factual Questions at the end of each section allow students to check their comprehension, while Questions for Discussion point out important issues that stimulate classroom discussions.
• An extensive instructor’s key includes sample answers to the discussion questions obtained in the field tests.
•

New to this edition: The material on preparing research reports has been expanded. Also new: Numerous changes have been made throughout the text for consistency with the new edition of the APA style manual, and new examples from published reports have been added to keep this text up-to-date.
 

A sample of professors' reactions:

"Brings simplicity to complex areas of research. A thorough, concise, and easily understood model for students to grasp. Highly recommended."
    — Lee E. Ross, University of Wisconsin

"Excellent resource—written in an easy-to-understand ‘bullet’ fashion. Excellent approach to difficult subject matter. Discussion and dialogue have increased since I adopted it."
    — Timothy S. Todd, Murray State University

"This textbook is driven by the idea that designing and conducting research is an objective problem-solving technique that is exciting and creative."
    — Frank T. Hawkins, Prairie View A & M University

"Excellent book for undergraduate and graduate experimental research courses. Clear, concise, and simplified without being 'watered down.' I loved this book, and so did the students."
    — Rita Walpert, Caldwell College

"It is a great book. Students understand the concepts and are ready to apply them immediately. The examples illustrating the concepts are helpful. Students love the book!"
    — Cecilia Temponi, Southwest Texas State University

"This text stands up to its title as an 'overview of the essentials.' It's a great text to use to provide students with the essential basics of research methods in a quick, easy-to-read, and well-organized format."
    — Cheryl C. Durwin, Southern Connecticut State
         University

"Excellent approach to the understanding of research methods. Clear and precise writing and easy-to-grasp concepts [are presented]. A joy to read and teach."
    — William Burgos-Acosta, Inter American University of
         Puerto Rico

"This is an outstanding textbook that provides just the essential information students will need. The brief chapters increase the likelihood that students will actually read and remember the material."
    — David M. Walsh, Pepperdine University

"This book is ideal for teaching students the basics of research design and statistics. It provides the understanding students need to effectively evaluate research."
    — Sue Nelson, University of San Francisco

“This book provides an excellent overview of the essentials of the research process. My students agree.”
    — Dawson R. Hancock, The University of
      North Carolina, Charlotte

“This overview is a great way to reinforce research methods gleaned from a more in-depth textbook. The individual topics are well organized and my graduate students in education find this book very valuable!”
    — Sheri A. Benischek, College of Santa Fe, Albuquerque

“I teach a combined statistics and methods course, and this text offers an excellent overview that I have not been able to find elsewhere.”
    — Jeffry L. White, Ashland University

“This is an outstanding research book—it is quite easy to comprehend and use. It is appropriate for both undergraduate and graduate students.”
    — Ephraim Okoro, Howard University

“Extremely well organized and understandable. The user friendliness of the book makes it a favorite with my students.”
    — Christine Caldwell, Naropa University

Mildred Patten’s lucid writing style makes the essentials
of research methods come alive.

Table of Contents