Practical Research: Planning and Design

For Introductory Research Methods Courses In Any Area Of Study. An Engaging, Cross-disciplinary Guide To Research Methodology. Practical Research: Planning And Design Is A Do-it-yourself, How-to Manual For Planning And Conducting Research. Suitable For A Wide Variety Of Courses In Basic Research Methodology, The Book Uses A Conversational Tone, Step-by-step Instructions, And Practical Suggestions To Guide The Reader From The Selection Of A Problem To The Preparation Of A Completed Report. The 12th Edition Has Been Updated To Include The Latest Technology-based Strategies And Online Tools. Other Key Changes Include A Better Balance Between Quantitative And Qualitative Methods And The Addition Of A New Chapter On Action Research -- From The Publisher. The Nature And Tools Of Research -- The Problem : The Heart Of The Research Process -- Review Of The Related Literature -- Planning Your Research Project -- Writing The Research Proposal -- Descriptive Research -- Experimental, Quasi-experimental, And Ex Post Facto Designs -- Qualitative Research Methods -- Mixed-method Designs -- Action Research And Participatory Designs -- Analyzing Quantitative Data -- Analyzing Qualitative And Mixed-methods Data -- Planning And Preparing A Final Research Report -- Appendix A. Using A Spreadsheet : Microsoft Excel -- Appendix B. Using Spss. Paul D. Leedy, Late Of American University And Jeanne Ellis Ormrod, University Of Northern Colorado (emerita) ; With Laura Ruth Johnson, Northern Illinois University. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.