This book offers an innovative introduction to social research. The book explores all stages of the research process and it features both quantitative and qualitative methods. Research design topics include sampling techniques, choosing a research design, and determining research question that inform public opinion and direct future studies. Throughout the book, the authors provide vivid and engaging examples that reinforce the reading and understanding of social science research. "Your Turn" boxes contain activities that allow students to practice research skills, such as sampling, naturalistic observation, survey collection, coding, analysis, and report writing.

Scott W. VanderStoep, associate professor in the Department of Psychology, Hope College, Holland, Michigan, is the former director of the Carl Frost Center for Social Science Research at Hope College. He is the coauthor of Learning to Learn: The Skill and Will of College Success and editor of Science and the Soul: Christian Faith and Psychological Research.

Deirdre D. Johnston, professor in the Department of Communications, Hope College, Holland, Michigan, and is the author of The Art and Science of Persuasion.

About the Authors.Preface.Introduction.CHAPTER 1: UNDERSTANDING RESEARCH.The Research Process.Types of Research.Research Proposals.Research Ethics.Getting Acquainted with SPSS.Summary.Key Terms.CHAPTER 2: THE WHO, HOW, AND WHY OF RESEARCH.Who: Selecting a Sample.How: Selecting a Research Strategy.Why: Doing Research That Makes a Difference.Summary.Key Terms.CHAPTER 3: QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH: MEASUREMENT AND DATA COLLECTION.Measurement: Turning Abstractions into Variables.Characteristics of Good Measures.Collecting Data.Summary.Key Terms.CHAPTER 4: QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH: DESCRIPTIVE AND CORRELATIONAL DESIGNS.Basic Concepts.Causation and Prediction.Data Gathering.Data Analysis.Summary.Key Terms.CHAPTER 5: QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH: BASIC EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS.Experimental Validity.Types of Variables.Characteristics of Experiments.Types of Experimental Designs.Data Analysis.Summary.Key Terms.CHAPTER 6: QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH: ADVANCED EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS.Basic Concepts.Repeated-Measures Designs.Complex Designs.Quasi-Experimental Designs.Data Analysis.Summary.Key Terms.CHAPTER 7: WHAT IS QUALITATIVE RESEARCH?Telling a Story . . . Qualitatively.Two Worldviews on Research: Reality and Knowledge.Comparison of Quantitative and Qualitative Research.Critique of Quantitative Research.Crisis of Representation.Summary.Key Terms.CHAPTER 8: PLANNING YOUR QUALITATIVE STUDY: DESIGN, SAMPLING, AND DATA ANALYSIS.Designing Qualitative Research.Summary.Key Terms.CHAPTER 9: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS: ETHNOGRAPHY, PHENOMENOLOGY, CASE STUDY, TEXTUAL ANALYSIS, AND APPLIED RESEARCH.Ethnography.Phenomenology.Case Study.Textual Analysis.Applied Research Methods: Action and Evaluation Research.Summary.Key Terms.CHAPTER 10: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH TOOLS: INTERVIEWING, FOCUS GROUPS, AND OBSERVATION.The First Tool: Defi ning the Context.Qualitative Research Tools: How to Collect Data.Summary.Key Terms.CHAPTER 11: PRESENTING YOUR RESEARCH FINDINGS.Presenting Your Research with a Poster.Presenting Your Research in an Oral Presentation.Presenting Your Research in a Paper.Reducing Bias in Research Reporting.Summary.Key Terms.References.Appendix A: A Sample Manuscript from a Quantitative Study.Appendix B: A Sample Manuscript from a Qualitative Study.Glossary.Index.