Research methods in psychology - Glynis M. Breakwell

Research Methods in Psychology, Second Edition is an expanded and updated new edition of a bestselling textbook. It presents a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the key research methods, both qualitative and quantitative, employed in psychology and across the social sciences. Four new chapters are presented (Research with Special Groups, Cross-Cultural Research, Content Analysis, and Introduction to Structural Equation Modelling) and all other chapters have been thoroughly revised and brought up-to-date. The book has four parts: in the first the relationship between psychological theory and research methodology, from both a practical and ethical viewpoint is considered; the second explains how to collect data using the major types of research design, and at the same time introduces the philosophical principles underlying them; in Part Three an invaluable guide to the traditional techniques of data gathering in psychology, as well as featuring less common techniques is offered; and finally the fourth part covers the issue of data analysis, clearly explaining the logic of statistical testing and the relationships between methodology and statistics, avoiding over-complicated formulae and focusing upon what can legitimately be inferred from commonly used psychological statistics.

The book is illustrated throughout with examples from current research and combines step-by-step advice, exercises and lists of further reading.