Neil J. Salkind - 100 Questions (and Answers) About Research Methods

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To my ever-questioning and wonderful friend, Russ Shafer-Landau

Neil J. Salkfind

University of Kansas

FOR INFORMATION:

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Salkind, Neil J.

100 questions (and answers) about research methods / Neil J. Salkind.

p. cm.
Includes index.

ISBN 978-1-4129-9203-9 (pbk.)

1. Social sciencesResearchMethodology. I. Title. II. Title: One hundred questions (and answers) about research methods.

H62.S3195 2012 001.42dc22 2011002803

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

11 12 13 14 15 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Contents

Preface

I n an increasingly data-driven world, it is more important than ever for students as well as professionals to better understand the process of research, from the initial asking of questions through the analysis and interpretation of data leading to a final report, and everything in between.

100 Questions (and Answers) About Research Methods is an attempt to summarize the most important questions that lay in those in-between spaces that one could ask about research methods while providing an answer as well.

It was written because I have noticed in my own years of teaching that many students and other professionals need a short review or a book to steer them in the right direction as to what topics they need to focus on and where they might look to find further information.

This is a short book and intended for those individuals who need a refresher as to what the important topics are within this area of study as well as those who are entirely new to the discipline and need a resource as to what the key questions are. Think of 100 Questions as a reminder, a resource and refresher of sorts. Its for graduate students preparing for comprehensive exams, researchers who need a reference, undergraduates in affiliated programs who will not be taking a primary course in research methods. and anyone curious about how these tools can be used most effectively.

Some tips about using the book

1. The questions are divided into nine parts as follows:
   • Part 1: Understanding the Research Process and Getting Started
   • Part 2: Reviewing and Writing About Your Research Question
   • Part 3: Introductory Ideas About Ethics
   • Part 4: Research Methods: Knowing the Language, Knowing the Ideas
   • Part 5: Sampling Ideas and Issues
   • Part 6: Describing Data Using Descriptive Techniques
   • Part 7: All About Testing and Measuring
   • Part 8: Understanding Different Research Methods
   • Part 9: All About Inference and Significance
2. Each of these questions and answers can stand alone and provide a direct question and relatively short answer. Probably a book-length response could be written for each question, but the task at hand here is quickenough information to allow the reader to gain some knowledge before he or she moves on to the next question or topic.
3. Not all of these questions and answers are independent of one another; most supplement each other. This is to help ensure that important material is reinforced and to help make sure that primary and secondary topics get consideration as well.
4. Each question ends with reference to three other questions related to the current question. These are the three that I think can best supplement the primary question being asked and answered. There are, of course, many others.

Acknowledgments

T hanks to the best editorial and production teams in the business, especially to Vicki Knight, who enthusiastically greeted this idea and saw it through to contract and then book. She tolerated an unbelievable number of late-night emails from me and did it with grace and support and great assistance. To associate editor Lauren Habib, who continues to make things happen quickly and efficiently and has been a huge help. Thanks also to Liann Lech (best copy editor in the galaxy); Libby Larson, production editor; Kalie Koscielak, editorial assistant; and Helen Salmon, executive marketing manager. I own all the errors here, and please let me know via email how this book might be better.

And to the best kids any parents could wish for and have: Sara, Micah, and Ted; and of course, Lucky, Peppers heir apparent; and Lew M., indefatigable, caring, courageous, and honest friend.

Neil J. Salkind
Lawrence, Kansas
njs@ku.edu

About the Author

Neil J. Salkind is Professor Emeritus at the University of Kansas, where he taught in the Department of Educational Psychology for more than 35 years. His interest is in writing about statistics and research methods in an informative, nonintimidating, and noncondescending way. He is also the author of Statistics for People Who (Think They) Hate Statistics, Statistics for People Who (Think They) Hate Statistics (the Excel Edition), Excel Statisticsa Quick Guide, and the recently edited Encyclopedia of Research Design.

PART 1

UNDERSTANDING THE RESEARCH PROCESS AND GETTING STARTED

QUESTION #1

Why Is Research Necessary, and
What Are Some of Its Benefits?

T his is a terrific question to start with and one to which every beginning (or refreshing) student should know the answer. Today, more than ever, we live in a world that is driven by data and in which there is an increasing dependence on what the research process is all about, how it is carried out, and what the benefits (and drawbacks) might be.

Research is the complex process through which ideas are explored new ones that yield unique information about some phenomenon of interest as well as already-established ideas that continue to raise important questions about outcomes that we find to be of importance.

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