Exploring Research [Paperback]

Neil J. Salkind (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130983527 | ISBN-13: 978-0130983527 | Publication Date: June 18, 2002 | Edition: 5

The fifth edition of Exploring Research provides an introduction to research methods in a friendly, approachable writing style. The book explores the use of electronic sources as means to enhance research skills, includes discussions about scientific methods, and the most common types of research in the social and behavioral sciences. Coverage of the research process, problem selection, sampling and generalizability, and the measurement process provides an exhaustive resource for readers seeking to further their research skills. The book also describes how to collect and analyze data, and provides thorough instruction on how to prepare and write a research proposal and manuscript. Principles of data analysis are exemplified using the SR latest version of SPSS. The volume addresses the role and importance of research, the research process, sampling and generalizability, measurement, reliability, and validity, methods of measuring behavior, data collection and descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, nonexperimental research methods, quasi-experimental research methods and writing a research proposal and manuscript. For individuals in business, social work, political science, education and psychology fields that require research.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This text provides students with a basic introduction to research methods in the social and behavioral sciences that is easy to read, understand and use. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

The fifth edition of Exploring Research provides an introduction to research methods in a friendly, approachable writing style. The book explores the use of electronic sources as means to enhance research skills, includes discussions about scientific methods, and the most common types of research in the social and behavioral sciences. Coverage of the research process, problem selection, sampling and generalizability, and the measurement process provides an exhaustive resource for readers seeking to further their research skills. The book also describes how to collect and analyze data, and provides thorough instruction on how to prepare and write a research proposal and manuscript. Principles of data analysis are exemplified using the SR latest version of SPSS. The volume addresses the role and importance of research, the research process, sampling and generalizability, measurement, reliability, and validity, methods of measuring behavior, data collection and descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, nonexperimental research methods, quasi-experimental research methods and writing a research proposal and manuscript. For individuals in business, social work, political science, education and psychology fields that require research.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 5 edition (June 18, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130983527
• ISBN-13: 978-0130983527
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #870,978 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Neil J. Salkind received his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in the Institute for Child Study and has been a faculty member at the University of Kansas for 33 years. He has published over 80 professional papers, and is the author of several college level textbooks including Statistics for People Who (Think They) Hate Statistics, Theories of Human Development and Tests and Measurements for People Who (Think They) Hate Tests and Measurements. He was editor of Child Development Abstracts and Bibliography for 13 years and also works as a literary agent for Studio B. When he's not typing away, he enjoys reading, collecting signed first editions, cooking, competitive Masters swimming, chocolate in almost any form and working on vintage Volvos and living with Leni.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Introductory Research Book, December 5, 2005

By 

Elementary Teacher (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exploring Research (6th Edition) (Paperback)

Having previously purchased a required research textbook that was written in a truly "mind-numbing" fashion, I went online to find a supplemental text. I was looking for something to help me develop some background knowledge in order to better understand my assigned readings. I consider myself very lucky for having found "Exploring Research". The writing style is very straightforward. I was easily able to read the textbook within a few days, and this made understanding the assigned readings in my course textbook much easier to do.

Easy to understand charts are used to illustrate points and organize the information. Practical resources are given to assist in developing a Literature Review. Rather than simply telling the reader to read a research study "critically", the author provides a list of specific questions an introductory student can ask themselves for each section of a report being read. As a supplemental text for the beginning student, this book is a wonderful resource for making sense of the basic research concepts.

Chapters include:
The Role and Importance of Research
The Research Process: Coming to Terms
Selecting a Problem and Reviewing the Research
Sampling and Generalizability
Measurement, Reliability, and Validity
Methods of Measuring Behavior
Data Collection and Descriptive Statistics
Introducing Inferential Statistics
Nonexperimental Research: Descriptive and Correlational Methods
Nonexperimental Research: Qualitative Methods
Pre- and True Experimental Research Methods
Quasi-Experimental Research: A Close Cousin to Experimental
Research
Writing a Research Proposal
Writing a Research Manuscript

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best!, May 23, 2002

By 

Susanna White (Missouri USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exploring Research (4th Edition) (Paperback)

Regardless of what your research needs are, this books could be called "research for dummies" in its excellent and easy-to-follow explanations. Buy this book, even if your required text is something else - It's filled with examples and can be read like an adventure novel in bed WHILE being truly comprehended! I've taken statistics, research classes, etc. - I wished I had read this book along with my first class! There's nothing dry about this and 1000 words are too few to praise it adequately!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Tons of Errors!, September 7, 2008

By 

I. S. Blanke (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Exploring Research (7th Edition) (Paperback)

While this book is written in a very "user-friendly" style, the amount of typographical, stylistic, and grammatical errors is incredibly distracting! For a book that's supposed to discuss the precision of research methodology, it certainly has a long way to go in being accurate. It seems that on almost every page there is a typographical or grammatical error, which is completely unacceptable in a professional resource (even if it is targeted towards "beginners"). There are a couple of chapters in which entire sections seem been left out and others that are very sloppily edited.

Surely the author could have forked over a couple hundred bucks to get a professional (or even a half-intelligent grad student!) to proofread it. It is in its seventh edition, after all.

If copious amounts of unprofessional errors irritate you in a textbook, avoid this one.