Principles of Research in Behavioral Science Fourth Edition

This book provides a comprehensive overview of research methods in the behavioral sciences, focusing primarily on the conceptual issues inherent in conducting research. It covers topics that are often omitted from other texts, including measurement issues, correlational research, qualitative research, and integrative literature reviews. The book also includes discussions of diversity issues as they related to behavioral science research. New to this edition are chapter boxes that focus on applied issues related to each chapter topic. Throughout the book, readable examples and informative tables and figures are provided. The authors also take a contemporary approach to topics such as research ethics, replication research, and data collection (including internet research).

Part 1. Introduction Chapter 1: Behavioral Science Science Goals of Science Key Values of Science Scientific Approaches to Knowledge Theories Components of Theories Characteristics of Theories Purposes of Theories Criteria for Evaluating Theories Research The Research Process Evaluating Research Inference in Research Theory, Research, and Application The Interdependence of Theory, Research, and Application The Uses of Behavioral Science and Theory Chapter Summary Suggestions for Further Reading Key Terms References Chapter 2: Research Strategies: An Overview Purposes of Research Basic and Applied Research Evaluation Research Action Research Quantitative and Qualitative Research Research Strategies The Experimental Strategy The Case Study Strategy The Correlational Strategy Comparing the Strategies Time Perspectives: Short Term Versus Long Term Developmental Research Prospective Research Outcome Evaluation Research Settings: Laboratory Versus Field Research Strategies and Research Settings Research Settings and Research Participants Chapter Summary Suggestions for Further Readings Key Terms References Chapter 3: The Ethical Treatment of Research Participants Responsibility for Ethical Research Ethical Considerations While Planning Research Risk of Harm or Deprivation Voluntary Participation Informed Consent Deception Ethical Obligations During Data Collection Avoidance of Harm Withdrawal of Consent Ethical Considerations Following Data Collection Alleviating Adverse Effects Debriefing Compensation of Control Groups Confidentiality of Data The Institutional Review Board Membership of the IRB Criteria for approving research Review procedures Research Ethics in Cultural Context Examples of Ethical Issues Some Guidelines Chapter Summary Suggested Readings Key Terms References Part 2: Foundations of Research Chapter 4: The Professional and Social Responsibilities of Scientists Mistakes and Errors in Research Consequences of Error Incompetence and Negligence Questionable Research Practices Correcting Mistakes and Errors Scientific Misconduct Data Fabrication Preventing Scientific Misconduct Ethical Issues in Publication Authorship Credit Duplicate Publication Plagiarism Using the Results of Research The Application of Research Results Influencing Decision Makers Researcher’s Responsibilities Research and the Common Good Is Applied Research More Ethical Than Basic Research? Should Research on Some Topics Be Banned or Restricted? Is There an Ethical Obligation to Conduct Research? Chapter Summary Suggestions for Further Reading Key Terms References Chapter 5: Formulating a Research Question Formulating Research Hypotheses Establishing a Background Choosing a Topic Formulating the Question Reviewing the Literature Formulating Hypotheses Designing the Study Writing the Research Proposal Replication Research Forms of Replication Interpreting the Results of Replication Research Considerations in Conducting Replication Research Replication as Part of a Systematic Research Program Designing Research for Utilization Knowledge Utilization Design Considerations Dissemination of Research Results Bias in the Formulation of Research Questions Personal Values Biased Assumptions Avoiding Bias Chapter Summary Suggestions for Further Reading Key Terms References Chapter 6: Developing a Measurement Strategy Reliability and Validity Manifest Variables and Hypothetical Constructs Reliability, Validity, and Measurement Error Assessing Reliability Forms of Reliability Choosing Among the Forms of Reliability Standards for Reliability Item Response Theory Assessing Validity Categories of Validity Evidence Discriminant Validity Relationships Among the Categories of Validity Evidence Determining a Measure’s Degree of Validity Modalities of Measurement Self-Report Measures Behavioral Measures Physiological Measures Implicit Measures Choosing a Measurement Modality Locating and Evaluating Measures Categories of Measures Locating Measures Evaluating Measures Chapter Summary Suggestions for Further Reading Key Terms References Chapter 7: The Internal Validity of Research Confounds Natural Confounds Treatment Confounds Measurement Confounds Threats to Internal Validity Time-Related Threats Control Groups in Pretest-Posttest Research Theoretical Validity Selection Threats Volunteer bias Preexisting groups Mortality Reactivity Sources of Reactivity Evaluation apprehension Controlling Reactivity Demand Characteristics Sources of Demand Characteristics Participant Roles Controlling Demand Characteristics Experimenter Expectancies Types of Expectancy Effects Techniques of Control Enhancing Internal Validity Summary Suggestions for Further Reading Key Terms References Chapter 8: The External Validity of Research The Concept of External Validity Aspects of External Validity Components of External Validity The Structural Components of External Validity Setting Factors Participant Sample Factors Research Procedure Factors Cultural Factors Time Factors Time sampling Changes over time The Functional and Conceptual Components of External Validity The Functional Component The Conceptual Component Relationships Among the Components of External Validity Assessing External Validity Assessing Generalizability Assessing Ecological Validity Laboratory Research, Natural Setting Research, and External Validity Laboratory Research and Ecological Validity External Validity and Internal Validity Chapter Summary Suggestions for Further Reading Key Terms References Part 3: Research Design Chapter 9: True Experiments Manipulating the Independent Variables Conditions of the Independent Variable Additional Control and Comparison Conditions Characteristics of a Good Manipulation Using Multiple Stimuli Controlling Extraneous Variance Holding Extraneous Variables Constant Between-Subjects Designs Within-Subjects Designs Multiple-Group Designs Quantitative Independent Variables Qualitative Independent Variables Interpreting the Results of Multiple-Group Experiments Factorial Designs The Nature of Factorial Designs Interaction Effects Forms of Factorial Designs Uses for Factorial Designs Chapter Summary Suggestions for Further Readings Key Terms References Chapter 10: Field Research The Problem of Control in Field Settings Control Over Variables Control Over Research Populations Field Experiments Choosing a Research Setting Implementing the Independent Variable Problems in Field Experimentation Natural Experiments and Quasi-Experiments The Group Comparison Approach The Time Series Approach Naturalistic Observation Categories of Naturalistic Observation Nonparticipant observation Coding Natural Behaviors Problems in Naturalistic Observation Chapter Summary Suggestions for Further Reading Key Terms References Chapter 11: Correlational Designs The Nature of Correlational Research Simple Correlation Analysis Assumptions of Linearity and Additivity Factors Affecting the Correlation Coefficient Multifaceted Constructs Some Recommendations Partial Correlation Analysis Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) Forms of MRA Information Provided by MRA The Problem of Multicollinearity MRA as an Alternative to ANOVA Some Other Correlational Techniques Logistic Regression Analysis Multiway Frequency Analysis Data Types and Data Analysis Chapter Summary Suggestions for Further Reading Key Terms References Chapter 12: Factor Analysis, Path Analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling Exploratory Factor Analysis Uses of Exploratory Factor Analysis Considerations in Exploratory Factor Analysis Confirmatory Factor Analysis Hypothesis Testing Measure Validation Evaluating Goodness of Fit Testing Mediational Hypotheses The Causal Steps Strategy Path Analysis with Observed Variables Structural Equation Modeling Prospective Research Limits on Interpretation Chapter Summary Suggestions for Further Reading Key Terms References Chapter 13: The Single-Case Research Strategy The Role of Single-Case Research in Psychology Some History Uses of Single-Case

Mary E. Kite is Professor of Social Psychology at Ball State University, USA. She received her Ph.D. from Purdue University. Her research focuses on stereotyping and prejudice toward women, gays and lesbians, and older adults. She has served as President of The Society for the Teaching of Psychology (STP, APA Division 2) and Secretary-Treasurer and President of the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA). She is a Fellow of APA Divisions 2, 8, 9, 35, and 44 and of the Association for Psychological Science and MPA. In 2014, she received the Charles L. Brewer Distinguished Teaching Award from the American Psychological Foundation. She co-authored the third edition of The Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination with Bernard E. Whitley, Jr. Bernard E. Whitley, Jr. is Professor Emeritus of Psychological Science at Ball State University, USA. He received his Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and charter member and Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science. His research interests focus on the roles of ideological variables in prejudice, and he has published in many journals including Psychological Bulletin, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. His other books include The Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination with Mary E. Kite and Academic Dishonesty: An Educator’s Guide (2002) with Patricia Keith-Spiegel.