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Textbook
The Practical Researcher: A Student Guide to Conducting Psychological Research, 2nd EditionJuly 2009, ©2009, Wiley-Blackwell
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- New 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 time line, 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
- Updated chapter on Ethical Considerations in the Practice of Research includes a solid foundation and practical exercises (e.g., completing a form for an ethics review (IRB), helping students to write an informed consent form, crafting a scientifically and ethically sound debriefing script)
- Updated references and research practices includes the latest APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
- Expanded advice on presenting research at student conferences and submitting project results to student journals
- New annotated student paper in Appendix A
Preface to the Second Edition
Acknowledgments
1. The Why and How of Psychological Research
Why Do Research?
The Research Loop of Experimentation
The How of Research: Practical Issues When Beginning a Project
To Collaborate or Not to Collaborate?
Summary
Key Terms
Suggested
2. Research Approaches and Generating Ideas
Some Approaches to Research
Generating Research Ideas
Critiquing Research Ideas
Trust and Conducting Research
Summary
Key Terms
Suggested
3. Searching and Reading the Psychological Literature
Why Are Journals Emphasized?
Locating the Literature
How to Read an Empirical Journal Article or Book Chapter
Keeping Track of Research Materials
Note Taking
Summary
Key Terms
Suggested
4. Writing: A First and Last Consideration
Mastering APA Style
The Format of an APA-Style Paper
Practical Issues for Writing
Sharing Paper Drafts
Writing All the Time
Summary
Key Terms
Suggested Readings
5. Ethical Considerations in the Practice Of Research
Human and Animal Research
Balancing Participant Welfare and Scientific Advancement
Informed Consent
Recruiting Research Participants and Administering Credit
How to Treat Research Participants
Debriefing Human Participants
Ethics Outside the Laboratory
Beyond Ethics: Telling the Truth with Research
Summary
Key Terms
Suggested Readings
6. Experimental Research
Formulating a Testable Hypothesis
Reliability and Validity
Manipulating Independent Variables
Error
Measuring Dependent Variables
Avoiding Bias
Sampling and Assigning Participants
Research Design: Factor and Factorial
Single Participant Experiments
Conclusion: A Model of the True Experiment
Summary
Key Terms
Suggested Readings
7. Applied and Field Research: Nonexperimental Approaches
Validity and Context
Correlational Research
Quasi-experiments
Surveys
Remaining Practical Concerns in Applied and Field Research
External Validity as Opportunity
Summary
Key Terms
Suggested
8. Planning Analysis and Displaying Data
Statistics as a Tool
Review of Basic Statistical Issues
Selecting the Appropriate Statistical Test
What Do the Statistical Results Mean, Anyway?
Displaying Data
Coda: Keeping Data and Analysis Records
Summary
Key Terms
Suggested
9. Presenting and Publishing Research
Writing: A Brief Reprise
Giving a Research Presentation
Forums for Research: Where Can You Present?
Conclusion
Summary
Key Terms
Suggested
10. Closing Thoughts and Future Directions
Asking the Right Questions in Psychological Research
The Place of Research: Skills Acquired, Skills Applied
Beyond Distinctive Skills: What is the Practical Good of Learning Research Methods?
Giving Psychology Away
Loving the Research Process: A Responsibility
Summary
Suggested
Appendix A: Sample Student Paper Written in APA Style
Appendix B: Statistical Analyses
Appendix C: Statistical Tables
Appendix D: Professional Issues for the Future: Presenting Yourself
Glossary
References
Author Index
Subject Index
- New 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
- Updated chapter on Ethical Considerations in the Practice of Research includes a solid foundation and practical exercises (e.g., completing a form for an ethics review (IRB), helping students to write an informed consent form, crafting a scientifically and ethically sound debriefing script)
- Updated references and research practices includes the latest APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
- Expanded advice on presenting research at student conferences and submitting project results to student journals
- New annotated student paper in Appendix A
- 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
- New 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 time line, 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
–Diane F. Halpern, Claremont McKenna College
“Dana Dunn's book is exactly what is needed for the millennial student of today-a book that shows you why being a good researcher is important and immediately plunges you into the excitement of using research tools.”
–Regan A. R. Gurung, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay
"What a marvelous text! Dunn has superbly distilled the key elements of research methods and scientific writing in a clear, concise, and compelling book. His prose is crisp and conversational, and as a result the book user-friendly and incredibly readable."
–William Buskist, Auburn University
"Being able to do research scientifically, ethically, and robustly, forms the core of field of psychology. In programs nationwide, faculty strive to get students to understand how to do research and to train them well. Although there are many research method textbooks there are few that are written with an eye towards being pragmatic. Dana Dunn’s book is exactly what is needed for the millennial student of today—a book that shows you why being a good researcher is important and immediately plunges you into the excitement of using research tools. This book is a useable manual, something that separates it from the other books out there. The writing is accessible. The coverage of topics is comprehensive and Dunn has designed the narrative with pedagogy in mind: having space to jot down responses may make the student more likely to stop and actually try out what is suggested. I particularly liked the many active learning exercises—Dunn has hit all the critical parts of the research process. I look forward to using it with my research assistants and recommend it to students and colleagues alike."
–Regan A. R. Gurung, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay
"Dana's ethics chapter sets an appropriate tone of balance and fairness. Controversial positions (e.g., for and against animal research, the use of deception) and "classic" studies exemplify the real ethics of psychological research. The chapter exercises are realistic opportunities to practice steps that student researchers ought to take, such as filling out an IRB protocol, writing an informed consent document, describing an experiment to solicit participants, and creating a debriefing procedure. Further, the sample paper in the Appendix is very interesting and presents a realistic model of excellent undergraduate student writing."
–Ruth Ault, Davidson College
"This book is uncommonly good. Dana Dunn knows when and how students may stumble as they conduct research, and he provides clear, step-by-step instructions designed to overcome obstacles and show students the joys and satisfactions of completing high-quality research projects. Dunn’s experiences in the classroom have given him important insights into the difficulties and dilemmas that student researchers typically face, and a central strength of this book is its focus on practical solutions. This just may be the only research methods textbook that students do not feel compelled to burn, shred, demolish, or otherwise obliterate in a celebratory ritual after completing the course."
–Kristen J. Klaaren, Randolph Macon College
"Research methods are at the heart of psychology, but students often don’t understand why they need to know how to actually do research. Dana Dunn's latest book, The Practical Researcher, helps students design and execute studies using active learning exercises, as well as analyze data, interpret findings, and write up the results that are obtained. Students and other readers will develop the skills of scientific reasoning, and at this time when we are awash with more information than anyone can possibly use, the ability to know the difference between good and poor research is critical to success in every area of life."
–Diane F. Halpern, Ph.D., Claremont McKenna College
