Understanding Research Methods

Part A Introduction to Research Methods
1. Introduction to Empirical Research
2. Experimental versus Nonexperimental Studies
3. Experimental versus Causal-Comparative Studies
4. Types of Nonexperimental Research
5. Variables in Nonexperimental Studies
6. Variables in Experimental Studies
7. Research Hypotheses, Purposes, and Questions
8. Operational Definitions of Variables
9. Quantitative versus Qualitative Research: I
10. Quantitative versus Qualitative Research: II
11. Program Evaluation
12. Ethical Considerations in Research
13. The Role of Theory in Research



Part B Reviewing Literature
14. Reasons for Reviewing Literature
15. Locating Literature Electronically
16. Organizing a Literature Review
17. Preparing to Write a Critical Review
18. Creating a Synthesis



Part C In-Text Citations and Reference Lists
19. Introduction to Style Guides
20. In-Text Citations: ASA Style
21. Reference Lists: ASA Style
22. In-Text Citations: APA Style
23. Reference Lists: APA Style



Part D Sampling
24. Biased and Unbiased Sampling
25. Simple Random and Systematic Sampling
26. Stratified Random Sampling
27. Other Methods of Sampling
28. Sampling and Demographics
29. Introduction to Sample Size
30. A Closer Look at Sample Size



Part E Measurement
31. Introduction to Validity
32. Judgmental Validity
33. Empirical Validity
34. Judgmental-Empirical Validity
35. Reliability and Its Relationship to Validity
36. Measures of Reliability
37. Internal Consistency and Reliability
38. Norm- and Criterion-Referenced Tests
39. Measures of Optimum Performance
40. Measures of Typical Performance



Part F Experimental Design
41. True Experimental Designs
42. Threats to Internal Validity
43. Threats to External Validity
44. Preexperimental Designs
45. Quasi-Experimental Designs
46. Confounding in Experiments



Part G Understanding Statistics
47. Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
48. Introduction to the Null Hypothesis
49. Scales of Measurement
50. Descriptions of Nominal Data
51. Introduction to the Chi-Square Test
52. A Closer Look at the Chi-Square Test
53. Shapes of Distributions
54. The Mean, Median, and Mode
55. The Mean and Standard Deviation
56. The Median and Interquartile Range
57. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient
58. The t Test
59. One-Way Analysis of Variance
60. Two-Way Analysis of Variance
61. Practical Significance of Results



Part H Effect Size and Meta-Analysis
62. Introduction to Effect Size (d)
63. Interpretation of Effect Size (d)
64. Effect Size and Correlation (r)
65. Introduction to Meta-Analysis
66. Meta-Analysis and Effect Size
67. Meta-Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses



Part I Qualitative Research
68. Sampling in Qualitative Research: I
69. Sampling in Qualitative Research: II
70. Measurement in Qualitative Research: I
71. Measurement in Qualitative Research: II
72. Quality Control in Qualitative Research
73. Grounded Theory for Data Analysis
74. Consensual Qualitative Research: Analysis



Part J Preparing Research Reports
75. The Structure of a Research Report
76. Writing Abstracts
77. Introduction and Literature Review
78. Describing Participants
79. Describing Measures
80. Reporting Research Results
81. Writing the Discussion
82. Preparing Theses and Dissertations



Appendices
A. Electronic Databases for Locating Literature
B. Electronic Sources of Statistical Information
C. Excerpts from Literature Reviews
D. A Closer Look at the Standard Deviation
E. A Closer Look at Effect Size
F. Outline of Question Route for a Focus Group Study
G. Sample Abstracts of Research Reports
H. Sample Description of Qualitative Data Analysis
I. A Closer Look at Abbreviated Page Numbers in ASA Style



Tables
1. Table of Random Numbers
2. Table of Recommended Sample Sizes



Index