The Practical Researcher: A Student Guide to Conducting Psychological Research

In The Practical Researcher, Dana S. Dunn′s student–friendly writing style and personal tone provide readers with a practical and engaging introduction to research methods in psychology. Using basic theory, solid research practices, and step–by–step techniques, the author leads students through the process of conducting a project from start to finish. The importance of learning to search, read, and critique the psychological literature, as well as writing clearly about it, are emphasized throughout. Boxed features called "Research Foundations" present key issues faced by researchers, allowing students to ponder various controversies, while numerous examples, practical tips, and applied material bring the process of doing research to life. Packed with useful decision trees, tables, checklists, and illustrations, this clear and precise book will equip students with the tools they need to carry out their research successfully.

FEATURES

Step–by–step approach leads students through the process of developing and conducting a research project (solo or in a group) from start to finish, from generating a topic to writing an APA style report "Doing Research" decision trees open each chapter and guide students through the active learning exercises that inform the research process Research Foundations boxes explore common issues encountered by researchers and use examples to bring research to life Practical tools and tips for doing research appear throughout such as writing an experimental script, operationalizing independent and dependent variables, and creating manipulation checks, among many others Over 40 Active Learning Exercises help students build practical skills such as creating a project timeline, developing a peer research contract, using a random numbers table, and reporting results in poster or paper form, among many others Generating Research Ideas section provides easy to follow guidelines for developing ideas by using freewriting, keeping a research notebook, or brainstorming research ideas alone or as a research team Critical thinking is emphasized when searching, reading, and writing about psychological literature

Chapter 1: The Why and How of Psychological Research

Chapter 2: Research Approaches and Generating Ideas

Chapter 3: Searching and Reading the Psychological Literature

Chapter 4: Writing: A First and Last Consideration

Chapter 5: Ethical Considerations in the Practice Of Research

Chapter 6: Experimental Research

Chapter 7: Applied and Field Research: Non–experimental Approaches

Chapter 8: Planning Analysis and Displaying Data

Chapter 9: Presenting and Publishing Research

Chapter 10: Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

DANA S. DUNN earned his B.A. in psychology from Carnegie Mellon University and received his Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Virginia. Former chair of the Psychology Department and Philosophy Department at Moravian College, he is currently Assistant Dean for Special Projects and Professor of Psychology. The author or editor of 17 books and over 120 journal articles, chapters, and book reviews, his scholarship examines teaching, learning, and liberal education, as well as the social psychology of disability. A fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Association for Psychological Science (APS), Dunn is a former president of the Society for the Teaching of Psychology (APA Division 2).