Extraneous Variable Definition

Scientific Research and Methodology

This textbook is designed for teaching quantitative research in the scientific, health and engineering disciplines at first-year undergraduate level, with an emphasis on statistics. It covers the research process, including asking research questions, research design, data collection, summarising data, analysis and communication. Many real journal articles are used throughout the text as examples that demonstrate the use of the techniques. Students are introduced to statistics as a method for answering questions. Descriptive research questions lead to analysis of single proportions and means. Repeated-measures research questions are answered using paired quantitative data. Relational research questions compare proportions, odds and means in different groups. Correlational research questions are studied using correlation and regression techniques. Statistical topics include numerical summary methods (such as means, odds ratios and identification of outliers), graphing (such as histograms, case-profile plots and scatterplots), confidence intervals and hypothesis testing. Emphasis is placed on understanding and concepts; while calculations are shown in simple situations, they are deferred to software when the computations become tedious and disruptive to understanding. Almost every dataset used is a real dataset, and is available online or in an associated R package SRMData. Software output is often used when calculations become onerous. The output is sufficiently generic that the book can be used in conjunction with any statistical software.

Revise in a Month VCE Psychology

Research Made Simple

Raymond Mark has extended his choreography of a modern ballet of social work research, continuing to combine the classical integrity of statistical techniques with the latest problems of planning and implementation, a kind of researcher′s ′rodeo.′. . . One hopes this book′s use as a teaching instrument, and its application as a research stimulus and guide, will encourage both students and practitioners to work harder at achieving a sounder integration of theory and practice in social work. --from the Foreword by Chauncey A. Alexander Designed to provide students with a nontechnical, easy-to-understand guide, Research Made Simple will help relieve the anxiety often associated with research methods courses. Author Raymond Mark provides the raw materials that will allow students to read a research report, understand its findings, and judge the accuracy of its conclusion. This concise, practical volume covers the full range of material presented in most social science research methods courses, but can also be used as a "how-to" guide for professionals on the basics of the research process. The topics covered range from basic concepts about the scientific method, fundamental terms, and the initial steps of the research process, to developing and implementing a complete research plan. Separate in-depth chapters discuss research ethics, qualitative approaches, program evaluation, statistical hypothesis testing, and computer applications for researchers. A unique feature of this volume is the presence of an entire chapter devoted to gender- and culture-sensitive research that addresses the increasing need for diversity in research. Each chapter concludes with end-of-chapter discussion questions and short assignments for review. Equipped with tables, appendixes, and a glossary, this user-friendly volume will make research methods highly approachable. Research Made Simple will prove to be an invaluable resource for beginning classes in research methods at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and it will provide a solid foundation for those pursuing advanced studies of research methods.