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Understanding Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
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Understanding Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology



424 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Understanding Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology offers broad-ranging coverage of basic and advanced qualitative and quantitative methods, exploring similarities and tensions between the two; a sequential structure starting from first principles to more advanced techniques; and a commitment to anchoring each of these techniques in relations to real psychological research, laying a foundation of necessary skills that will allow psychology students to confidently carry out their own investigations.


Key Features:
  • An organization that works well for students starting at basic level, then moving on to more advanced research methods and statistics study at higher levels;
  • A creative and practical selection of heuristic devices that will cement knowledge of the techniques and skills covered in the textbook; and
  • Fully interactive and password protected companion website for instructors and students, providing an array of features to help teaching and learning.
Understanding Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology will be essential reading for undergraduate students taking research methods and statistics in psychology.
 
Helen Gavin is Head of the Division of Psychology at the University of Huddersfield, U.K. 
 
PART ONE: FIRST EXPLORATIONS
 
The Range of Research
 
Ethics in Research
Some Shocking Cases

 
 
Some Basic Concepts in Psychological Research
 
PART TWO: BEGINNING QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
 
Using Numbers to Describe Behaviour
 
Inferential Statistics
Why and What?

 
 
Simple Experimental Designs
Being Watched

 
 
Single Factorial Designs
The Levels of Processing Experiments

 
 
Survey Research
Who is afraid of Crime?

 
 
Correlational Designs
The Poor Relation?

 
 
PART THREE: COMPLEX QUANTITATIVE DESIGNS
 
Factorial Designs with More than One Factor
A Closer Look at Memory

 
 
Multivariate Statistics
 
Complex Correlational Designs and Analysis
Stats Can Be Murder

 
 
PART FOUR: BEGINNING QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
 
Theory in Qualitative Research
 
Designing Qualitative Research
 
PART FIVE: COMPLEX QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
 
Interviews and Focus Groups
 
Participant Observation
Girls, Gangs and Aggression

 
 
Thematic Analysis
 
Discourse Analysis
Power and Control

 
 
Evaluation Research
 
PART SIX: COMMUNICATION OF RESEARCH
 
Communicating Research

'This text covers more than most research methods and statistics texts in terms of its breadth …Not only will students understand a range of methods and analytical techniques, they will understand why and how these have been used in relation to key psychological studies. By putting key studies at the heart of this book it demonstrates the importance of understanding methods and analysis in order to fully appreciate and understand psychology' - Dr Paul Redford, University of West of England

'Understanding Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology provides an excellent introduction for any student new to psychology and psychological research. Each chapter clearly and systematically covers a key area, ranging from research ethics through quantitative methods to complex designs and qualitative analysis. I highly recommend this book to anybody who would like a good understanding of basic research methods and statistics in psychology and related disciplines' - Dr David Popplewell, University of Oxford


Very good comprehensive text book which highlights research methods, giving good guidence for the student. Using examples to show the reader how to apply research methods to Psychology. This text book will be recommended to my students and staff.

Miss Sharron Stillyards
health and social care, northlindsey college
July 15, 2013

Good general coverage of both quant and qual methods.

Dr Chris Bale
Behavioural Sciences, Huddersfield University
February 7, 2012

An understandable and practical guide, breaks statistics into manageable chunks...pushing away the daunting stigma!!!

Miss Kate Steabler
HE Care, Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education
January 4, 2010

Helen Gavin

Helen Gavin was, before retiring in 2023, Subject Lead in Criminal Psychology at the University of Huddersfield, having previously been Head of Psychology at two universities. She taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in this area, and now carries out research that focuses on deviant and homicidal sexual expression. She is currently collaborating with researchers and practitioners across the UK and in the USA, concerned with projects in female aggression, non-apprehended offenders, and issues concerning policing. She has supervised a number of research students, some of whom have investigated female aggression and psychopathy, the... More About Author

For instructors

SAGE Knowledge is the ultimate social sciences digital library for students, researchers, and faculty. Hosting more than 4,400 titles, it includes an expansive range of SAGE eBook and eReference content, including scholarly monographs, reference works, handbooks, series, professional development titles, and more.

The platform allows researchers to cross-search and seamlessly access a wide breadth of must-have SAGE book and reference content from one source.

SAGE Research Methods is a research methods tool created to help researchers, faculty and students with their research projects. SAGE Research Methods links over 175,000 pages of SAGE’s renowned book, journal and reference content with truly advanced search and discovery tools. Researchers can explore methods concepts to help them design research projects, understand particular methods or identify a new method, conduct their research, and write up their findings. Since SAGE Research Methods focuses on methodology rather than disciplines, it can be used across the social sciences, health sciences, and more.