Beginning Behavioral Research: A Conceptual Primer

This successful introduction to behavioral research methods–written by two leaders in the field–provides step-by-step guidance through the processes of planning an empirical study, analyzing and interpreting data, and reporting findings and conclusions. It encourages readers to be analytical and critical, not only in interpreting research findings, but also in investigating what is behind the claims and conclusions in news reports of scientific results. While the primary emphasis is on behavioral and social research, a strong effort is made to connect these disciplines with the empirical reasoning used in other fields in order to underscore the unity of science. The volume examines behavioral research and scientific method, creative ideas and working hypotheses, ethical considerations and guidelines, observation and measurement, design and implementation, describing data and making inferences, and statistical tests. For those i