Synopses & Reviews
From an expert in the research methods field, Research Methods: The Concise Knowledge Base was written specifically for undergraduates. Trochim streamlined and clarified explanations of fundamental, yet difficult, concepts in his familiar, engaging style. With this text, students will learn about the relationship between theory and practice, which will help them become better researchers and better consumers of research.
About the Author
William M. Trochim (Ph.D., Northwestern University) is a Professor in the Department of Policy Analysis and Management at Cornell University and a Professor of Public Health in the Department of Healthcare Policy and Research at the Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC). He is the Director of the Cornell Office for Research on Evaluation and Director of Evaluation for Extension and Outreach at Cornell, and the Director of Evaluation for the WCMC's Clinical and Translational Science Center. He has taught both undergraduate and graduate required courses in applied social research methods since joining the faculty at Cornell in 1980. Trochim's research interests include the theory and practice of research, conceptualization methods, strategic and operational planning methods, performance management and measurement, and change management. His current research is primarily in the areas of translational research, research-practice integration, evidence-based practice, and evaluation policy.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Foundations 1-1The Language of Research 1-2The Rationale of Research 1-3Validity of Research 1-4Ethics in Research 1-5Conceptualizing Chapter 2 - Sampling 2-1External Validity 2-2Sampling Terminology 2-3Statistical Terms in Sampling 2-4Probability Sampling 2-5Nonprobability Sampling Chapter 3 - The Theory of Measurement 3-1Construct Validity 3-2Reliability 3-3Levels of Measurement Chapter 4 - Survey Research 4-1Constructing the Survey 4-2Interviews 4-3Surveys Chapter 5 - Scales and Indexes 5-1Indexes 5-2Scaling 5-3Indexes and Scales Chapter 6 - Qualitative and Unobtrusive Measures 6-1Qualitative Measures 6-2Unobtrusive Measures Chapter 7 - Design 7-1Internal Validity 7-2Introduction to Design 7-3Types of Designs Chapter 8 - Experimental Design 8-1Introduction to Experimental Design 8-2Classifying Experimental Designs 8-3Factorial Designs 8-4Randomized Block Designs 8-5Covariance Designs 8-6Switching Replications Experimental Designs Chapter 9 - Quasi-Experimental Design 9-1The Nonequivalent-Groups Design 9-2The Regression-Discontinuity Design 9-3Other Quasi-Experimental Designs Chapter 10 - Designing Designs 10-1Designing Designs for Research Chapter 11 - Analysis 11-1Conclusion Validity 11-2Data Preparation 11-3Descriptive Statistics Chapter 12 - Analysis for Research Design 12-1Inferential Statistics 12-2The General Linear Model 12-3Experimental Analysis 12-4Quasi-Experimental Analysis Chapter 13 - Write-Up 13-1Key Elements 13-2Formatting