Psychology Research Methods

How to Think About and Write About Research
Second Edition
Wendy Heath - Rider University, USA
Psychology Research Methods
November 2024 | 672 pages | Sage US
Create Flyer

If you’re in North America, please visit our Sage College Publishing website to purchase or sample this book:

Go to College Publishing Website

Description

The Second Edition of Psychology Research Methods: How to Think About and Write About Research by Wendy Heath engages students with compelling studies relevant to students’ lives, but in a research methods context. By looking beneath the conclusions of these studies to determine which methods they use, students discover the relevance and importance of research methods. Heath also focuses on writing about research methods by presenting examples from across psychology literature as well as writing exercises at the end of each chapter. These features help students complete their research papers with confidence while gaining a greater understanding of research methods through writing. Covering descriptive, experimental, quasi-experimental, small-N design, and qualitative methods in psychology, this comprehensive guide gives students a broad overview of all methods in this clear text.

Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About The Author

  • Chapter 1: Introduction to Research Methodology
  • Why Do I Need to Know About Research Methods?
  • The Goals of Science
  • The Steps in the Research Process
  • Characteristics of Science
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 2: Developing Research Ideas and Hypotheses
  • Sources of Research Ideas
  • Finding Relevant Literature
  • The Basic Components of a Journal Article
  • Outlining Your Literature Review
  • Generating Hypotheses
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Let’s Write About Research!
  • Chapter 3: Ethics
  • A Brief History of Research Ethics
  • General Principles of the American Psychological Association’s Ethics Code
  • Ethical Standards of the American Psychological Association’s Ethics Code: Research
  • Ethics and Research on the Internet
  • Ethical Standards of the American Psychological Association’s Ethics Code: Publication
  • Open Science
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Let’s Write About Research!
  • Chapter 4: Defining and Measuring Variables
  • Operational Definitions
  • Scales of Measurement
  • Characteristics of Good Measurement
  • Internal Validity and External Validity
  • Chapter Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Let’s Write About Research!
  • Chapter 5: Descriptive Research Methods and Qualitative Research
  • Naturalistic Observation
  • Participant Observation
  • Archival Research
  • Case Studies
  • Qualitative Research
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 6: Correlational Research
  • The Basic Differences Between Experimentation and Correlational Research
  • The Correlation Coefficient
  • A Visual Representation of a Correlation
  • Factors Affecting the Strength of a Correlation Coefficient
  • Statistical Assessments of Relationships
  • Correlation and Causality
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 7: Survey Research
  • Types of Survey Questions
  • Question-Writing Guidelines
  • Administering the Survey
  • Response and Nonresponse Biases
  • Sample Size
  • Online Survey Research
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 8: Experimentation With One Independent Variable
  • Experimental Design
  • Controlling Extraneous Variables
  • Differentiating Between-Subject Designs from Within-Subject Designs
  • Manipulating Independent Variables
  • Measuring Dependent Variables
  • A Few Final Points About Dependent Variables
  • The Posttest Only Design Versus the Before-After Design
  • A Consideration of the Results
  • Creating an Online Experiment
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 9: Factorial Designs: Experiments With More Than One Independent Variable
  • Factorial Designs
  • Using a 2 x 2 Design
  • Using a 2 x 3 Design
  • Using a 3 x 3 Design
  • Mixed Designs
  • Higher Order Factorial Designs
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 10: Quasi-Experimental Designs
  • What Is a Quasi-Experimental Design?
  • More on Testing Preformed Groups
  • Possible Threats to Internal Validity
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 11: Small-N Designs
  • What Are Small-N Designs?
  • History of Small-N Designs
  • Small-N Designs: General Details
  • Multiple-Baseline Designs
  • Changing-Criterion Designs
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 12: External Validity
  • What Is External Validity?
  • Population Validity
  • Ecological Validity
  • Temporal Validity
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 13: Writing About and Presenting Your Research
  • The Organization of a Psychology Research Paper
  • Title Page
  • Abstract
  • The Introduction
  • Method
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • References
  • Tables and Figures
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Additional Sources to Consider
  • Suggested Activities

Appendix A: Sample Research Paper

Appendix A: Sample Research Paper

Appendix B: Table of Random Numbers

Appendix B: Table of Random Numbers

Appendix C: A Review of Selected Grammar Rules

Appendix C: A Review of Selected Grammar Rules

Appendix D: The Research Paper Checklist

Appendix D: The Research Paper Checklist

Description

The Second Edition of Psychology Research Methods: How to Think About and Write About Research by Wendy Heath engages students with compelling studies relevant to students’ lives, but in a research methods context. By looking beneath the conclusions of these studies to determine which methods they use, students discover the relevance and importance of research methods. Heath also focuses on writing about research methods by presenting examples from across psychology literature as well as writing exercises at the end of each chapter. These features help students complete their research papers with confidence while gaining a greater understanding of research methods through writing. Covering descriptive, experimental, quasi-experimental, small-N design, and qualitative methods in psychology, this comprehensive guide gives students a broad overview of all methods in this clear text.

Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About The Author

  • Chapter 1: Introduction to Research Methodology
  • Why Do I Need to Know About Research Methods?
  • The Goals of Science
  • The Steps in the Research Process
  • Characteristics of Science
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 2: Developing Research Ideas and Hypotheses
  • Sources of Research Ideas
  • Finding Relevant Literature
  • The Basic Components of a Journal Article
  • Outlining Your Literature Review
  • Generating Hypotheses
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Let’s Write About Research!
  • Chapter 3: Ethics
  • A Brief History of Research Ethics
  • General Principles of the American Psychological Association’s Ethics Code
  • Ethical Standards of the American Psychological Association’s Ethics Code: Research
  • Ethics and Research on the Internet
  • Ethical Standards of the American Psychological Association’s Ethics Code: Publication
  • Open Science
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Let’s Write About Research!
  • Chapter 4: Defining and Measuring Variables
  • Operational Definitions
  • Scales of Measurement
  • Characteristics of Good Measurement
  • Internal Validity and External Validity
  • Chapter Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Let’s Write About Research!
  • Chapter 5: Descriptive Research Methods and Qualitative Research
  • Naturalistic Observation
  • Participant Observation
  • Archival Research
  • Case Studies
  • Qualitative Research
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 6: Correlational Research
  • The Basic Differences Between Experimentation and Correlational Research
  • The Correlation Coefficient
  • A Visual Representation of a Correlation
  • Factors Affecting the Strength of a Correlation Coefficient
  • Statistical Assessments of Relationships
  • Correlation and Causality
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 7: Survey Research
  • Types of Survey Questions
  • Question-Writing Guidelines
  • Administering the Survey
  • Response and Nonresponse Biases
  • Sample Size
  • Online Survey Research
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 8: Experimentation With One Independent Variable
  • Experimental Design
  • Controlling Extraneous Variables
  • Differentiating Between-Subject Designs from Within-Subject Designs
  • Manipulating Independent Variables
  • Measuring Dependent Variables
  • A Few Final Points About Dependent Variables
  • The Posttest Only Design Versus the Before-After Design
  • A Consideration of the Results
  • Creating an Online Experiment
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 9: Factorial Designs: Experiments With More Than One Independent Variable
  • Factorial Designs
  • Using a 2 x 2 Design
  • Using a 2 x 3 Design
  • Using a 3 x 3 Design
  • Mixed Designs
  • Higher Order Factorial Designs
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 10: Quasi-Experimental Designs
  • What Is a Quasi-Experimental Design?
  • More on Testing Preformed Groups
  • Possible Threats to Internal Validity
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 11: Small-N Designs
  • What Are Small-N Designs?
  • History of Small-N Designs
  • Small-N Designs: General Details
  • Multiple-Baseline Designs
  • Changing-Criterion Designs
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 12: External Validity
  • What Is External Validity?
  • Population Validity
  • Ecological Validity
  • Temporal Validity
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 13: Writing About and Presenting Your Research
  • The Organization of a Psychology Research Paper
  • Title Page
  • Abstract
  • The Introduction
  • Method
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • References
  • Tables and Figures
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Additional Sources to Consider
  • Suggested Activities

Appendix A: Sample Research Paper

Appendix A: Sample Research Paper

Appendix B: Table of Random Numbers

Appendix B: Table of Random Numbers

Appendix C: A Review of Selected Grammar Rules

Appendix C: A Review of Selected Grammar Rules

Appendix D: The Research Paper Checklist

Appendix D: The Research Paper Checklist

SAGE Publishing Logo

Psychology Research Methods

How to Think About and Write About Research

Wendy Heath
Cancel Print

November 2024 | 672 pages | Sage US

Format Published Date ISBN Price

The Second Edition of Psychology Research Methods: How to Think About and Write About Research by Wendy Heath engages students with compelling studies relevant to students’ lives, but in a research methods context. By looking beneath the conclusions of these studies to determine which methods they use, students discover the relevance and importance of research methods. Heath also focuses on writing about research methods by presenting examples from across psychology literature as well as writing exercises at the end of each chapter. These features help students complete their research papers with confidence while gaining a greater understanding of research methods through writing. Covering descriptive, experimental, quasi-experimental, small-N design, and qualitative methods in psychology, this comprehensive guide gives students a broad overview of all methods in this clear text.


Table Of Contents:

  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • About The Author
  • Chapter 1: Introduction to Research Methodology
  • Why Do I Need to Know About Research Methods?
  • The Goals of Science
  • The Steps in the Research Process
  • Characteristics of Science
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 2: Developing Research Ideas and Hypotheses
  • Sources of Research Ideas
  • Finding Relevant Literature
  • The Basic Components of a Journal Article
  • Outlining Your Literature Review
  • Generating Hypotheses
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Let’s Write About Research!
  • Chapter 3: Ethics
  • A Brief History of Research Ethics
  • General Principles of the American Psychological Association’s Ethics Code
  • Ethical Standards of the American Psychological Association’s Ethics Code: Research
  • Ethics and Research on the Internet
  • Ethical Standards of the American Psychological Association’s Ethics Code: Publication
  • Open Science
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Let’s Write About Research!
  • Chapter 4: Defining and Measuring Variables
  • Operational Definitions
  • Scales of Measurement
  • Characteristics of Good Measurement
  • Internal Validity and External Validity
  • Chapter Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Let’s Write About Research!
  • Chapter 5: Descriptive Research Methods and Qualitative Research
  • Naturalistic Observation
  • Participant Observation
  • Archival Research
  • Case Studies
  • Qualitative Research
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 6: Correlational Research
  • The Basic Differences Between Experimentation and Correlational Research
  • The Correlation Coefficient
  • A Visual Representation of a Correlation
  • Factors Affecting the Strength of a Correlation Coefficient
  • Statistical Assessments of Relationships
  • Correlation and Causality
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 7: Survey Research
  • Types of Survey Questions
  • Question-Writing Guidelines
  • Administering the Survey
  • Response and Nonresponse Biases
  • Sample Size
  • Online Survey Research
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 8: Experimentation With One Independent Variable
  • Experimental Design
  • Controlling Extraneous Variables
  • Differentiating Between-Subject Designs from Within-Subject Designs
  • Manipulating Independent Variables
  • Measuring Dependent Variables
  • A Few Final Points About Dependent Variables
  • The Posttest Only Design Versus the Before-After Design
  • A Consideration of the Results
  • Creating an Online Experiment
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 9: Factorial Designs: Experiments With More Than One Independent Variable
  • Factorial Designs
  • Using a 2 x 2 Design
  • Using a 2 x 3 Design
  • Using a 3 x 3 Design
  • Mixed Designs
  • Higher Order Factorial Designs
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 10: Quasi-Experimental Designs
  • What Is a Quasi-Experimental Design?
  • More on Testing Preformed Groups
  • Possible Threats to Internal Validity
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 11: Small-N Designs
  • What Are Small-N Designs?
  • History of Small-N Designs
  • Small-N Designs: General Details
  • Multiple-Baseline Designs
  • Changing-Criterion Designs
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 12: External Validity
  • What Is External Validity?
  • Population Validity
  • Ecological Validity
  • Temporal Validity
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Articles as Illustration
  • Suggested Activities
  • Chapter 13: Writing About and Presenting Your Research
  • The Organization of a Psychology Research Paper
  • Title Page
  • Abstract
  • The Introduction
  • Method
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • References
  • Tables and Figures
  • Summary
  • Review Questions
  • Additional Sources to Consider
  • Suggested Activities
  • Appendix A: Sample Research Paper
  • Appendix B: Table of Random Numbers
  • Appendix C: A Review of Selected Grammar Rules
  • Appendix D: The Research Paper Checklist

Recent Product Reviews:

"Student performance after implementing Vantage is incredible...this is a really tangible way to see that."
Karen Deeming, Instructor, Merced College
An easy to read and accessible text that touches on all of the basics of research methods.
Elizabeth Riina, Queens College CUNY
"This is the smoothest student onboarding process I have ever experienced. Everything is syncing and the students were able to figure things out with almost no help from me."
Echo Leaver, Instructor, Salisbury University
This textbook provides students with the basics of research in psychology and appears to break it down to where the students can really learn and focus on key knowledge and skills.
Anna Mayer, Northeastern University
"I am really excited to have tools that help motivate students to actually do the reading..."
Emily Hopkins, Instructor, University of Scranton

Recommendations