Proposing Empirical Research - 3rd edition

Introduction to the Third Edition vii

Part A: Getting Started
1

1. What Is Empirical Research?
3

2. Identifying Broad Problem Areas
5

3. Evaluating Broad Problem Areas
7

4. Identifying and Combining Variables
9

5. Identifying Treatment Variables
11

6. Considering Demographic Variables
13

7. Writing Purposes and Hypotheses
15


Part B: A Closer Look at Problem Selection 17

8. Finding Ideas in the Literature
19

9. Considering a Body of Literature
21

10. Considering Theories
23

11. Determining Feasibility
25


Part C: Selecting a Research Approach 27

12. Qualitative Research
29

13. Survey Research
31

14. Correlational Research
33

15. Test Development Research
35

16. Experimental Research
37

17. Causal-Comparative Research
39

18. Program Evaluation
41


Part D: Organizing and Evaluating Literature 43

19. Organizing Literature by Topics
45

20. Evaluating Research Literature
47

21. Considering the History of a Topic
49


Part E: Writing the Introduction and Literature Review 51

22. A Separate Introduction
53

23. An Integrated Introduction and Literature Review
55

24. Writing the First Paragraph(s)
57

25. Using a Topic Outline
59

26. Being Selective and Critical
61


Part F: Proposing a Sample
63

27. Sampling in Qualitative Research
65

28. Random Sampling
67

29. Other Methods of Sampling: I
69

30. Other Methods of Sampling: II
71

31. Sample Size
73


Part G: Proposing Instrumentation
75

32. Qualitative Instrumentation
77

33. Proposing Published Instruments
79

34. Proposing New Instruments
81

35. Proposing to Measure Demographics
83

36. Ethical Issues in Measurement
85


Part H: Proposing Procedures 87

37. Nonexperimental Procedures
89

38. Procedures in Experiments
91

39. Ethical Issues and Procedures
93


Part I: Proposing Methods of Analysis
95

40. Qualitative Analysis
97

41. Analysis of Demographics
99

42. Relationships: Nominal
101

43. Relationships: Equal Interval
103

44. Group Differences
105


Part J: Concluding Tasks
107

45. Writing a Discussion Section
109

46. Giving the Proposal a Title
111

47. Preparing an Abstract
113

48. Developing a Timeline
115


Part K: Model Research Proposals for Discussion 117

Model Proposal 1: A Survey
Do Psychologists Adhere to the Clinical Practice Guidelines
for Tobacco Cessation? A Survey of Practitioners
119

Model Proposal 2: A Survey
Acceptability and Availability of Harm-Reduction Interventions for
Drug Abuse in American Substance Abuse Treatment Agencies
125

Model Proposal 3: Test Development Research
The Americans With Disabilities Act Knowledge Survey
133

Model Proposal 4: True Experiment
A Personalization Effect in Multimedia Learning: Do Students Learn
Better When Words Are in Conversational Style Rather Than
Formal Style?
139

Model Proposal 5: Quasi-Experimental Research
Intervening to Decrease Alcohol Abuse at University Parties:
Differential Reinforcement of Intoxication Level
147

Model Proposal 6: True Experiment
Traits and Behaviors Assigned to an Adolescent Wearing an
Alcohol Promotional T-Shirt
155

Model Proposal 7: Qualitative Research with Focus Groups
Effective Strategies for Esteem-Enhancement: What Do Young
Adolescents Have to Say?
169

Model Proposal 8: Qualitative Research with Interviews
Challenge and Success: A Qualitative Study of the Career Development of
Highly Achieving Women with Physical and Sensory Disabilities
179

Model Proposal 9: Combined Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Intimate Partner Abuse Perpetrated by Employees
187




Table 1:Table of contents Recommended Sample Sizes
193

Appendix A: Locating Literature Electronically
195

Appendix B: Electronic Sources of Statistical Information
197