Ideal for students, novice researchers, or professionals, this indispensable resource serves as a road map for readers who need to analyze and apply research findings. It helps them think critically about the credibility of what they are reading by showing them how to identify problems and develop constructive questions.
Key Features
Assumes no prior knowledge of research procedures
Provides readers with a step-by-step format for decoding the complex language and formats used in reports and reviews
Includes the most common formats for both quantitative and qualitative inquiry
Offers both illustrative examples and powerful training exercises
Gives specific attention to strategies for critically appraising reported research
Presents completely updated references as well as an annotated bibliography
Intended Audience
This text is appropriate for both upper-level undergraduate and graduate students across the social sciences enrolled in introductory research courses as well as students in professional preparation programs.
Preface
Acknowledgments
Part I: The Nature and Uses of Research Reports
Chapter 1: The Research Report
Chapter 2: When to Believe What You Read: The Sources of Credibility
Chapter 3: How to Select and Read Research Reports
Chapter 4: The Use, Misuse, and Misunderstanding of Research
Chapter 5: Types of Research: An Overview of Variety
Part II: Quantitative Research
Chapter 6: Quantitative Research Designs
Chapter 7: Staying Organized When Reading a Quantitative Report
Chapter 8: Explaining as a Tool for Learning to Read Reports
Chapter 9: Reading Reports of Quantitative Research-Critically: Things to Notice and Questions to Ask
Part III: Qualitative Research
Chapter 10: The Paradigms for Qualitative Research
Chapter 11: Staying Organized When Reading a Qualitative Report
Chapter 12: Reading Reports of Qualitative Research-Critically: Things the Reader Should Expect
Part IV: Reading Research Reviews
Chapter 13: Staying Organized When Reading Research Reviews
Appendix A: Annotated Bibliography of Supplementary References
Appendix B: Statistics: A Beginner's Guide
References
Name Index
Subject Index
About the Authors
