Introduction to Behavioral Research Methods

by Mark R. Leary

Taking into consideration the four basic approaches to behavioral research (descriptive research, correlational research, experimental research, and quasi-experimental research), Introduction to Behavioral Research Methods shows students how to conceptualize questions, measure variables, design studies, and analyze data. Chapters on research ethics and scientific writing (including the most recent version of APA style) round out the book. Throughout each chapter, boxes on Developing Your Research Skills and Behavioral Research Case Study provide practical examples and pique student interest.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Textbooks, School

442 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 1990

Reviews

[jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Introduction to Behavioral Research Methods with Research Navigator is, just as the title says, fit as a basic introductory textbook on experimental psychology. The text is horrendously dry, the formatting uninspired to say the least, but the content of the book is informative, and Mark R. Leary does put some effort in engaging his reader by giving many real life examples to go along with the dryness of his written word.

This book has undergraduate level chapters on research in behavioural sciences, variability, measurement of behaviour, approaches to psychological measurement, descriptive research, correlational research, advanced correlational strategies, issues in experimental research, experimental design, analysing experimental data, analysing complex designs, quasi-experimental designs, single-case research, ethical issues, and scientific writing. Chapters also include lists with key terms, and chapter summaries.

It gives a clear and straightforward overview of everything a student new to behavioural research must know about the ways in which experimental research is usually conducted, and it also provides the reader with some discussion points (ethical issues), and tips (scientific writing). Though mostly just text, this book does touch upon statistics, although it provides a more verbal, conceptual understanding of them than a mathematical, formulaic one.

This is a good book to start with when first encountering behavioural research, but it’s only useful at the very start of an academic career. Of course, it can be used as reference, but it’s not detailed enough to last long as more advanced statistical and/or research methods courses follow. However, there’s nothing inherently wrong with this, as this is exactly as the author apparently intended, made even more evident by the end chapter on scientific writing.

If you can withstand the dryness of the text, are just starting your academic career and this is relevant for you in some way, then I can recommend it as a basic yet informative introductory to behavioural research methods.

[Kate Zirkle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it in college. Not too bad. Pretty technical though.

[Nia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fairly light read for a textbook. Interesting examples of real studies are used to show examples of the different kinds of experiments that are being talked about.

[Kinloc Tablet QA US · Rating 5 out of 5]

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