Understanding Research Methods (Fifth Edition) : An Overview of the Essentials

by Patten, Mildred L.

• ISBN13: 9781884585647
• ISBN10: 1884585647
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-05-01
• Publisher: Pyrczak Pub

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Fifth Edition	vii
Part A Introduction to Research Methods	1	(28)
Introduction to Empirical Research	3	(2)
Experimental vs. Nonexperimental Studies	5	(2)
Experimental vs. Causal--Comparative Studies	7	(2)
Types of Nonexperimental Research	9	(2)
Variables in Nonexperimental Studies	11	(2)
Variables in Experimental Studies	13	(2)
Research Hypotheses, Purposes, and Questions	15	(2)
Operational Definitions of Variables	17	(2)
Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research: I	19	(2)
Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research: II	21	(2)
Program Evaluation	23	(2)
Ethical Considerations in Research	25	(2)
The Role of Theory in Research	27	(2)
Part B Reviewing Literature	29	(14)
Reasons for Reviewing Literature	31	(2)
Locating Literature Electronically	33	(2)
Organizing a Literature Review	35	(2)
Writing a Literature Review	37	(4)
Citing References	41	(2)
Part C Sampling	43	(14)
Biased and Unbiased Sampling	45	(2)
Simple Random and Systematic Sampling	47	(2)
Stratified Random Sampling	49	(2)
Other Methods of Sampling	51	(2)
Introduction to Sample Size	53	(2)
A Closer Look at Sample Size	55	(2)
Part D Measurement	57	(26)
Introduction to Validity	59	(2)
Judgmental Validity	61	(2)
Empirical Validity	63	(4)
Judgmental--Empirical Validity	67	(4)
Reliability and Its Relationship to Validity	71	(4)
Measures of Reliability	75	(2)
Norm- and Criterion-Referenced Tests	77	(2)
Measures of Optimum Performance	79	(2)
Measures of Typical Performance	81	(2)
Part E Experimental Design	83	(12)
True Experimental Designs	85	(2)
Threats to Internal Validity	87	(2)
Threats to External Validity	89	(2)
Pre-Experimental Designs	91	(2)
Quasi-Experimental Designs	93	(2)
Part F Understanding Statistics	95	(32)
Descriptive and Inferential Statistics	97	(2)
Introduction to the Null Hypothesis	99	(2)
Scales of Measurement	101	(2)
Descriptions of Nominal Data	103	(2)
Introduction to the Chi Square Test	105	(2)
A Closer Look at the Chi Square Test	107	(2)
Shapes of Distributions	109	(2)
The Mean, Median, and Mode	111	(2)
The Mean and Standard Deviation	113	(2)
The Median and Interquartile Range	115	(2)
The Pearson Correlation Coefficient	117	(2)
The t Test	119	(2)
One-Way Analysis of Variance	121	(2)
Two-Way Analysis of Variance	123	(2)
Practical Significance of Results	125	(2)
Part G Effect Size and Meta-Analysis	127	(14)
Introduction to Effect Size (d)	129	(2)
Interpretation of Effect Size (d)	131	(2)
Effect Size and Correlation (r)	133	(2)
Introduction to Meta-Analysis	135	(2)
Meta-Analysis and Effect Size	137	(2)
Meta-Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses	139	(2)
Part H Qualitative Research	141	(40)
Sampling in Qualitative Research: I	143	(2)
Sampling in Qualitative Research: II	145	(2)
Measurement in Qualitative Research: I	147	(2)
Measurement in Qualitative Research: II	149	(2)
Quality Control in Qualitative Research	151	(2)
Grounded Theory for Data Analysis	153	(2)
Consensual Qualitative Research: Analysis	155	(26)
Appendices
A. Outline of Question Route for a Focus Group Study of Stress	157	(2)
B. Excerpts from Literature Reviews	159	(4)
C. Electronic Databases for Locating Literature	163	(2)
D. Electronic Sources of Statistical Information	165	(6)
E. Other Methods of Determining Reliability	171	(2)
F. A Closer Look at the Standard Deviation	173	(2)
G. A Closer Look at Effect Size	175	(2)
Tables
Table of Random Numbers	177	(2)
Table of Recommended Sample Sizes	179	(2)
Index	181