Research Methods and Statistics ─ An Integrated Approach

The authors of this completely integrated approach to research methods and statistics take a simple approach: Given a question, what methods and statistical procedures should be employed? When designing an experiment, researchers first ask a question. Next, an appropriate method is selected. Third, a useful statistic must be chosen. Research methods and statistics inform each other throughout the process of answering a research question and should be taught in tandem. 

The chapters in this innovative new text are organized based on simple research questions followed by progressively more complex research questions and designs, with appropriate statistics following each design within the same chapter. The text focuses on statistical procedures that are used most commonly to analyze research results so that instructors have more time to spend on basic, commonly used statistical procedures, including multiple regression and mixed ANOVA. Such straightforward approaches are likely to be used by students when completing class projects or, one day, in their own independent research. 

With a focus on the use of technology--Excel and SPSS--for the analysis of statistical results, the text aims to train students to be researchers in the real world. This focus provides time to introduce more advanced designs and statistics that are typically not covered in undergraduate classes, such as using MANOVA to assess more than one outcome.