Doing Quantitative Research in the Social Sciences : An Integrated Approach to Research Design, Measurement and Statistics

by Thomas R Black

• ISBN13: 9780761953524
• ISBN10: 0761953523
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-05-17
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd

Summary

This original textbook provides a comprehensive and integrated approach to using quantitative methods in the social sciences. Thomas R Black guides the student and researcher through the minefield of potential problems that may be confronted, and it is this emphasis on the practical that distinguishes his book from others which focus exclusively on either research design and measurement or statistical methods.Focusing on the design and execution of research, key topics such as planning, sampling, the design of measuring instruments, choice of statistical text and interpretation of results are examined within the context of the research process.In a lively and accessible style, the student is introduced to

Table of Contents

PART ONE: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH DESIGN

The Nature of Enquiry

Beginning the Design Process

Initial Sources of Invalidity and Confounding

Basic Designs

Identifying Populations and Samples

Additional Sources of Confounding by the Measurement Process and Interactions

Refining the Designs

PART TWO: MEASUREMENT DESIGN

Principles of Measurement and Collecting Factual Data

Measuring Attitudes, Opinions and Views

Measuring Achievement

Evaluating Data Quality

Determining Instrument Reliability and Validity

PART THREE: TURNING DATA INTO INFORMATION USING STATISTICS

Descriptive Statistics Using a Spreadsheet

Probability and Statistical Significance

Power, Errors and Choosing a

PART FOUR: EX POST FACTO, EXPERIMENTAL AND QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS: PARAMETRIC TESTS

Comparing Two Groups

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One-Way Analysis of Variance

Factorial Designs

Randomized Block Designs and Analysis of Covariance

PART FIVE: NONPARAMETRIC TESTS: NOMINAL AND ORDINAL VARIABLES

Nonparametric Tests

One and Two Samples

Nonparametric Tests

Multiple and Related Samples

PART SIX: DESCRIBING NON-CAUSAL RELATIONSHIPS

Correlation and Association

Regression