Each chapter begins with "Learning Goals" and concludes with "Exercises."
Preface. 1. Why We Do Research. Everyday Thinking.
Scientific Thinking.
The Purposes of Scientific Research.
Research Methods.
2. Finding Ideas to Research. Generating Topics.
Searching for Research.
Literature Reviews.
Theory and Reasoning.
The Ethics of Research.
3. Designing Research: Concepts, Hypotheses, and Measurement. Defining and Operationalizing Variables.
Levels of Measurement.
Accuracy and Consistency in Measurement.
4. Developing a Questionnaire. Using Questionnaires in Survey Research.
Conceptualizing the Task.
Measuring Attitudes and Opinions.
Measuring Behavior.
Demographics.
Formatting the Questionnaire.
Pilot Testing the Questionnaire.
Finding Respondents.
5. Sampling. Some Basic Sampling Concepts.
Probability Sampling.
Non-Probability Sampling.
Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Studies.
Sample Size.
6. Presenting Data: Descriptive Statistics. Presenting Univariate Data.
The Normal Curve and Z-Scores.
7. Analyzing Data: Bivariate Relationships. Presenting Nominal and Ordinal Data In Tables.
Testing Bivariate Relationships.
8. Analyzing Data: Comparing Means. T-Tests.
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).
Differences not Strength.
9. Analyzing Data: Multiple Variables. Elaborating Relationships: Control Variables.
Multiple Relationships.
10. Presenting Results, Making Conclusions, and Writing Reports. Interpretations and Conclusions.
Audiences and Reports.
The Journey Finishes.
Appendix. References. Index. 