Research Design in Clinical Psychology (4th Edition) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In this successful text, Kazdin describes research methods in psychology and provides criteria for conducting and evaluating clinical research. This text's emphasis is on clinical psychology, but the issues and methods it discusses are relevant to counseling, school psychology and psychiatry. The various stages of research are discussed, with an emphasis on the special demands that are placed on the investigator. Research Design in Clinical Psychology continues to explain how methodology is an approach toward problem solving, thinking, and acquiring knowledge. This revised edition includes several new topics, as well as an expansion of core topics from the previous edition, which reflect the evolving nature of methodology and the proliferation of clinical research into many topic areas. Students and clinicians will gain a thorough knowledge of the entire research process from developing the idea, selecting methods, analyzing the results, and preparing the written scientific report. To ensure that the book conveys practices concretely, many examples are presented both from research and from everyday life.More attention has been given to specific methodological practices intended to address principles and issues when designing a study.

From the Back Cover

In an updated edition of this successful book, the author describes research methods in clinical psychology and provides criteria for conducting and evaluating clinical research. This edition continues to explain how methodology is an approach toward problem solving, thinking, and acquiring knowledge. New material on the evolving nature of clinical research into many topic areas is also included. Topics covered: drawing valid references; experimental research; case studies; interpreting data; ethics; and more. Clinical psychologists/psychiatrists, counselors, social workers and therapists. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 524 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 4 edition (February 18, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205332927
• ISBN-13: 978-0205332922
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #261,187 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but long-winded, August 1, 2008

By	Faux Feyerabend - See all my reviews

I give this 4 stars because it truly is an excellent reference book for clinical psychology research methodology, but I don't think I've ever come across a textbook writer as verbose as Kazdin. The man will beat a dead horse to a pulp, get a bat, and then beat the pulp until it's pureed. To his credit, I honestly think he is trying to help readers along (especially beginners) in their understanding of complex topics via repetition and different wording of the same concepts, but it gets downright ridiculous in most of the chapters and bogs down the fluidity and rhythm of the text.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Practical information for researchers, May 14, 2008

By	Amy Doyle - See all my reviews

I've used Kazdin's book for several years now in planning my own research in the area of developmental psychopathology. I can see why others have criticized the book as being long-winded and somewhat dry - I wouldn't recommend reading the book cover-to-cover. However, the book is filled with practical advice on how to design research studies in the areas of clinical or abnormal psychology. I especially like Kazdin's discussion of the threats to internal and external validity that commonly plague research. I'd recommend this book as a "handbook" for researchers to reference when they need to look up specific topics or to plan a new project.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good source, June 16, 2008

By	Audrina Mullane "aamullane" (Beaufort, SC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This text is easy to follow with lots of examples. It can be a little redundant for people who have a good background in research; however, for beginners, it's a really good text.