This original textbook provides a comprehensive and integrated approach to using quantitative methods in the social sciences. Thomas R Black guides the student and researcher through the minefield of potential problems that may be confronted, and it is this emphasis on the practical that distinguishes his book from others which focus exclusively on either research design and measurement or statistical methods.
Focusing on the design and execution of research, key topics such as planning, sampling, the design of measuring instruments, choice of statistical text and interpretation of results are examined within the context of the research process.
In a lively and accessible style, the student is introduced to researc design issues alongside statistical procedures and encouraged to develop analytical and decision-making skills.
PART ONE: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH DESIGN
The Nature of Enquiry
Beginning the Design Process
Initial Sources of Invalidity and Confounding
Basic Designs
Identifying Populations and Samples
Additional Sources of Confounding by the Measurement Process and Interactions
Refining the Designs
PART TWO: MEASUREMENT DESIGN
Principles of Measurement and Collecting Factual Data
Measuring Attitudes, Opinions and Views
Measuring Achievement
Evaluating Data Quality
Determining Instrument Reliability and Validity
PART THREE: TURNING DATA INTO INFORMATION USING STATISTICS
Descriptive Statistics Using a Spreadsheet
Probability and Statistical Significance
Power, Errors and Choosing a
PART FOUR: EX POST FACTO, EXPERIMENTAL AND QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS: PARAMETRIC TESTS
Comparing Two Groups
t-Test
One-Way Analysis of Variance
Factorial Designs
Randomized Block Designs and Analysis of Covariance
PART FIVE: NONPARAMETRIC TESTS: NOMINAL AND ORDINAL VARIABLES
Nonparametric Tests
One and Two Samples
Nonparametric Tests
Multiple and Related Samples
PART SIX: DESCRIBING NON-CAUSAL RELATIONSHIPS
Correlation and Association
Regression
