This new edition of Robert Sommer and Barbara Sommer's successful book A Practical Guide to Behavioral Research continues to emphasize a hands-on, multimethod, and interdisciplinary approach to behavioral research in psychology, sociology, and anthropology. It expands the fourth edition's

coverage of computer-related research methods and employs an international perspective, presenting general principles and their practical applications. Like previous editions, A Practical Guide to Behavioral Research, 5/e, covers the four major approaches to behavioral research (experimentation,

observation, questionnaire, interview) and examines other important methods, including attitude and rating scales, the case study, semantic differential, unobtrusive measures, and the use of personal documents. It provides particularly strong treatment of observational approaches, behavior and

cognitive mapping, electronic searches and Internet research, and action research. This revision includes two new chapters stimulated by student interest: Chapter 14, "Action Research," addresses the gap between doing research and having it applied; Chapter 15, "The Big Fuzzies," describes

techniques for researching important concepts that are difficult to define and measure.

Written in an accessible, colloquial style, this popular book encourages students to actually do research instead of just learning the concepts and language. Clear descriptions and concrete examples of abstract concepts demystify research and help students think about research procedures in a

variety of settings, not just in the laboratory. Ideal for undergraduates in research methods classes, A Practical Guide to Behavioral Research, 5/e, is an invaluable reference for students of communications, education, nursing, design, and business. It is also a useful resource for readers who need

reliable information or anyone interested in behavioral studies.

The authors maintain a useful companion website at http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/Sommerr/pg5/.

'The fifth edition of this popular research methods book emphasizes a hands-on, multimethod, interdisciplinary approach to behavioral research. In this book, research is seen not as a remote activity of a white-coat priesthood, but as an approach that can be used by people in many fields to solve immediate problems and increase understanding of human behavior. Numerous examples from different nations are provided throughout.'

Ideal for students in research methods courses and for readers seeking a clear guide to conducting behavioral studies, the fourth edition of A Practical Guide to Behavioral Research provides an accessible introduction to the techniques and tools of behavioral research used in psychology, sociology, and anthropology, as well as in business, education, design, and program evaluation. It offers a multi-method, hands-on, interdisciplinary approach including observation, interviewing, questionnaire construction, experimentation, content analyses, case studies, and the use of personal documents and archival measures. Students are encouraged to learn by using statistical techniques rather than just reading about them.

This revision includes a new chapter describing the research opportunities provided by using the Internet in behavioral research, and new material on the use of computers in running research studies and in data analysis. It also expands coverage of case studies and qualitative research, and introduces the role of the camera in behavioral research. Details on conference presentations and on writing technical reports and journal articles are included. This edition also features more information on work being done outside of North America. Lively and straightforward, the fourth edition of A Practical Guide to Behavioral Research is an indispensable tool for teachers in need of an excellent textbook, and an invaluable reference for anyone interested in behavioral studies.

Preface

1. Multimethod Approach

2. Ethics in Behavioral Research

3. Library Research

4. Observation

5. Mapping and Trace Measures

6. Experimentation

7. Simulation

8. Interview

9. The Questionnaire

10. Attitude and Rating Scales

11. Content Analysis

12. Personal Documents and Archival Measures

13. Case Study

14. Using the Internet

15. Equipment

16. Standardized Test and Inventories

17. Sampling

18. Descriptive Statistics

19. Inferential Statistics

20. Writing and Reviewing a Research Report

21. After the Report

22. Concluding Notes

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C Using Computer Software for Data Analysis

Appendix D Example of a Manuscript Prepared According to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

Appendix E Example of Style Used for A Technical Report

Glossary

Name Index

Subject Index