Preface

I was motivated to write the first edition of Principles of research in Behavioral science because I could not find an appropriate research methods textbook for master’s level students in psychology and related fields. My motivation for preparing this second edition was threefold new development in research such as the growing importance of the in ternet, the need for a book such as this as shown by its use at a large number of universities, and the suggestions for improvement sent to me by colleagues who have used the book.

As I did with the first edition, I have tried to produce a book that students will use both as a textbook in their research methods course and as a reference for use later in their careers. The book is perhaps still more comprehensive than most research methods books, so most instructors may not want to use all the chapters or all the topics within a chapter. I have tried to support this kind of selectivity by making chapters and sections within chapters as independent as possible, although I do refer to material in earlier chapters when it is relevant.

Within a few minor changes noted later, the sequence of the chapters remains unchanged, generally paralleling the steps of the research process. Part one describes the role of theory in the research process and surveys the major research strategies to all forms of research: the ethical treatment of research participants, formulating research questions, measurement, and internal validity. Part three devotes a chapter to each of the major research strategies experimental, co relational, and single case one to research I natural settings, and one to survey research. Part four covers issues in data collection to supplement the design issues discussed in Part three, the interpretation of research results and the problem of external validity. Finally part FIVE covers supplemental topics. Evaluation research the literature review as form of research, communicating the results of research and the social responsibility aspects of research ethics.