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Research Methods in Psychology: Investigating Human Behavior draws on fascinating stories to illustrate the entire research process within a unifying conceptual framework. Bestselling authors Paul G. Nestor and Russell K. Schutt present a clear and comprehensive introduction to the logic and techniques of research methods in psychology by employing a unique combination of two distinct yet complementary pedagogical techniques. First, chapters designed for experiential, hands-on studies put the student in the roles of researcher, participant, and consumer to bring concepts to life. Second, the findings of cognitive science guide the text in a way that is most conducive to learning. This novel approach serves as an effective way to make the world of psychological research fun and rewarding for students, in addition to allowing them to gain the foundational knowledge they need to design, conduct, and present research.

Research Methods in Psychology: Investigating Human Behavior

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

PART I. RESEARCH FUNDAMENTALS

Chapter 1. Uncommon Sense and the Scientific Method

Biases in Thinking

The Scientific Method

Psychological Research in the Public Square

Conclusion

Chapter 2. The Research Process

Can Money Buy You Happiness?

Research Approach

Research Toolbox

Evaluating and Critiquing Research

Conclusion

Chapter 3. Literature Review in Research

The Brain on Marijuana

Literature Review in Research

Framework for Literature Review

Advanced Literature Reviews

Conclusion

Chapter 4. Ethics in Behavioral Research

Historical Background

Ethical Principles

The Institutional Review Board

Conclusion

Chapter 5. Conceptualization and Measurement

What Is Happiness?

Theoretical Constructs

Levels of Measurement

The Special Case of Psychometrics

Evaluating Measures

The Logic of Measurement Validity

Conclusion

Chapter 6. Samples and Generalizations

Sample Planning

Sampling Methods

Sampling Distributions

Conclusion

PART II. RESEARCH DESIGNS

Chapter 7. Considering Correlation: Are You a Maximizer or a Satisficer?

Are You a Maximizer or a Satisficer?

Correlational Research

Correlation, Confounds, and Control Variables

Decision-Making Strategies in a College Student Sample: Maximizer or Satisficer?

Conclusion

Chapter 8. In Search of Causality: True Experiments

Mental Calisthenics for the Brain?

Single-Factor Experiment

Theater of Independent Variables

Measurement and Control

Validity in Experiments

Can Causality Be Established?

Conclusion

Chapter 9. Experimental Design and Hypothesis Testing

Does Exercise Make You Smarter?

Basic Experimental Designs

Two Options in Assigning Participants

Null Hypothesis Significance Testing

Conclusion

Chapter 10. Complex Research Designs

Multifactorial Designs

Within-Subjects Experiment

Between-Subjects Experiment

Conclusion

Chapter 11. Quasi-Experimental and Nonexperimental Designs

The Good and the Bad of Media Multitasking

Quasi-Experimental Designs

Nonequivalent-Control-Group Designs

Before-and-After Designs

Quasi-Experiments of Media Multitasking

Quasi-Experiments of 9/11 Memories

Quasi-Experimental Research of Culture and Cognition

Developmental Studies

Nonexperimental Research

Conclusion

Chapter 12. Small-N and Single-Subject Designs

Foundations of Small-N Designs

Measuring Targets of Intervention

Types of Small-N and Single-Subject Designs

Analyzing Small-N and Single-Subject Designs

Internal Validity

Generalizability

Conclusion

Chapter 13. Survey Research

How Happy Are You?

Considering Surveys

Writing Survey Questions

Combining Questions in Indexes and Scales

Designing Questionnaires

Organizing Surveys

Analyzing Surveys

Conclusion

Chapter 14. Qualitative Methods

Fundamentals of Qualitative Research

Methods for Collecting Qualitative Data

Qualitative Interviewing

Participant Observation

Systematic Observation

Focus Groups

Qualitative Data Analysis

Ethical Issues in Qualitative Research

Conclusion

PART III. RESEARCH PRODUCTS

Chapter 15. Quantitative Data Analysis

Does Needing Help = Getting Help?

Statistical Approach

Univariate Distributions

Descriptive Statistics

Inferential Statistics

The Ethics of Statistics

Conclusion

Chapter 16. Essentials of APA Report Writing

APA Format

Report Organization in APA Format

Literature Review

Poster Presentation

Sample Paper

Conclusion

Appendix A: Summaries of Frequently Cited Research Articles

Appendix B: Questions to Ask About a Research Article

Appendix C: How to Read a Research Article

Appendix D: Proportions of Area Under Standard Normal Curve

Appendix E: Critical Values for t Distribution

Appendix F: Critical Values of F

Appendix G: Critical Values of Chi-Square

Appendix H: Critical Values of the Correlation Coefficient

Appendix I: Table of Random Numbers

Glossary

References

Index