Introduction to Research Methods: A Hands-On Approach / Edition 1

by Bora Pajo

Overview

Introduction to Research Methods: A Hands-On Approach makes learning research methods easy for students by giving them activities they can experience and do on their own. With clear, simple, and even humorous prose, this text offers students a straightforward introduction to an exciting new world of social science and behavioral research. Rather than making research seem intimidating, author Bora Pajo shows students how research can be an easy, ongoing conversation on topics that matter in their lives. Each chapter includes real research examples that illustrate specific topics that the chapter covers, guides that help students explore actual research challenges in more depth, and ethical considerations relating to specific chapter topics.

3 Reasons Why You’ll Want to Read This Book

1. Conducting research can be fun when you see it in terms that relate to your everyday life.

2. Knowing how to do research will open many doors for you in your career. It will open your mind to new ideas on what you might pursue in the future (e.g., becoming an entrepreneur, opening your own nongovernmental organization, or running your own health clinic), and give you an extra analytic skill to brag about in your job interviews.

3. Understanding research will make you an educated consumer. You will be able to evaluate the information before you and determine what to accept and what to reject. Truth be told, understanding research will save you money in the short and long term*.

*From Chapter 1 of Introduction to Research Methods: A Hands-On Approach

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781483386959
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	08/25/2017
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	392
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Dr. Bora Pajo is a methodologist at Franklin University, Doctoral Studies, in Columbus, Ohio. She teaches methodology courses for doctoral students and is heavily engaged with the dissertation process, especially research design. She is dedicated to teaching and writing about research processes in the hopes to transmit her enthusiasm of conducting scientific research to students. She was awarded the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education Excellence Award in 2021, Bailey Teaching Award for Summer 2021 at Franklin University, and Deans Award Recognizing Excellence (DARE) in 2022 from Franklin University.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 • The Purpose of Research
Chapter Outline
Scientific Research and Its Purpose
Theories of Knowledge
A Quick Look at Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods
Ethical Research
Summary
Key Terms
Taking a Step Further
Chapter 2 • Formulating a Research Question
Chapter Outline
Choosing a Research Topic
Operationalization of Constructs
Types of Variables
Types of Hypotheses
Visualizing a Research Question
Summary
Key Terms
Taking a Step Further
Chapter 3 • Researching and Writing the Literature Review
Chapter Outline
Defining a Literature Review
Exploring the Literature
Understanding and Organizing the Literature
Thinking Critically
Hypotheses
Systematic Reviews of Literature
Summary
Key Terms
Taking a Step Further
Chapter 4 • Quantitative Designs
Chapter Outline
Categorizations of Research Studies
Cross-Sectional Versus Longitudinal Studies
Causality in Research
Experimental Designs
Summary
Key Terms
Taking a Step Further
Chapter 5 • Measurement Errors, Reliability, Validity
Chapter Outline
Measurement Errors
Reliability
Validity
Summary
Key Terms
Taking a Step Further
Chapter 6 • Sampling
Chapter Outline
Defining Sampling
Probability and Non-Probability Sampling
Types of Non-Probability Sampling
Types of Probability Sampling
Summary
Key Terms
Taking a Step Further
Chapter 7 • Data Collection for Quantitative Research
Chapter Outline
Experimental Research
Quasi-Experimental Research
Preparing and Collecting Data Through Questionnaires
Methods of Data Collection
Summary
Key Terms
Taking a Step Further
Chapter 8 • Secondary Data
Chapter Outline
Benefits of Using Secondary Data
Major Sources of Secondary Data
Disadvantages of Secondary Data
Summary
Key Terms
Taking a Step Further
Chapter 9 • Entering and Organizing Quantitative Data
Chapter Outline
The Purpose of Entering and Organizing Quantitative Data
Preparing for Data Entry
Organizing and Inputting Variables
Summary
Key Terms
Taking a Step Further
Chapter 10 • Analyzing Quantitative Data
Chapter Outline
Analyzing Quantitative Data
Univariate Analysis
Graphical Representation of Data
Measures of Central Tendency
Bivariate Analysis
Summary
Key Terms
Taking a Step Further
Chapter 11 • Qualitative Designs and Data Collection: Understanding What Behavior Means in Context
Chapter Outline
An Introduction to Qualitative Research Designs
Ways of Collecting Qualitative Data
Unobtrusive Methods and Additional Sources of Qualitative Data
Mixed Methods
Summary
Key Terms
Taking a Step Further
About the Chapter Contributor
Chapter 12 • Entering, Coding, and Analyzing Qualitative Data
Chapter Outline
Enter, Clean, and Organize Qualitative Data
Coding Qualitative Data
Analyzing Qualitative Data
Summary
Key Terms
Taking a Step Further
Chapter 13 • Results and Discussion
Chapter Outline
Reporting Results
Results in Quantitative Studies
Results in Qualitative Studies
Visually Presenting Results
Discussion
Recommendations
Summary
Key Term
Taking a Step Further
Chapter 14 • Presenting Your Research
Chapter Outline
Presenting Your Findings to an Audience
Applying to Conferences
Publishing an Article
Summary
Taking a Step Further
References
Name Index
Subject Index
About the Author

Editorial Reviews

The conversational style and relatable examples will help students to overcome inhibitions to learning methods in social science research.

Marybeth Beller

The step-by-step approach the author takes with this text may just be tool I need to assist my students in taking an interest in research even beyond this course.

Elizabeth Guzman-Arredondo

Provides more detailed discussion of "why" each part of the research process is important toward achieving the overall goal.

Maurice Sheppard

For too long research methods textbooks have focused on techniques devoid of real experience. Bora Pajo's book is taking research methods preparation in the right direction and I think a generation of social science researchers will be better for it.

Rob Shelby

The research and information were blended in together. Students can easily adapt or adjust their research idea and research process accordingly.

Mehmet Soyer

Anyone who teaches or has ever taught research methods will appreciate Bora Pajo's personal insight and motivation to cultivate an application-based textbook that corresponds to the active nature of the curriculum itself.

Emile Beltzer

This an accessible, well-organized text geared towards underclass students. It demystifies the research process and makes it seem engaging, rewarding and fun.

Carolyn Keller

Pajo's book will give students the connection between the course concepts and real world application.

Debasmita Patra

A highly accessible research text designed to engage readers and make research methods come alive for them.

Erica Vernold Miller

This text seems to integrate the larger "so what" question, which I am currently doing through a patchwork of articles and real-life examples. Having all of this material (scientific method, research questions, data collection, descriptive stats, qualitative approaches, etc) all in on one place, this book is a major improvement on what I am now using.

H. Howell Williams

The application-based approach will be a welcome change for students.

Billy Mc Kim

I really appreciate the addition of the "Ethics in Research" chapter and ethical considerations in almost every chapter.

Ekaterina Forrester Smith

This text offers integration of ethics and research with an applied approach to learning. The writing style is user friendly and many examples connect the content to life experiences.

Alan Lipps

The application-based approach will be a welcome change for students.

Billy McKim