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Research Design and Methods: A Process Approach guides students through the research process, from conceiving of and developing a research idea, to designing and conducting a study, to analyzing and reporting data. The authors present students with information on the numerous decisions they must make when designing and conducting research and indicate how their early decisions affect how data are collected, analyzed, and interpreted later in the research process. A focus on the importance of ethical conduct, both in the treatment of research subjects and in the reporting of research results, directs the text.
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Research Design and Methods A Process Approach EIGHTH EDITION
Kenneth S. Bordens Bruce B. Abbott Indiana University—Purdue University Fort Wayne
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RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A PROCESS APPROACH, EIGHTH EDITION Published by McGraw-Hill, a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Previous editions © 2008, 2005, 2002. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written consent of The McGrawHill Companies, Inc., including, but not limited to, in any network or other electronic storage or transmission, or broadcast for distance learning. Some ancillaries, including electronic and print components, may not be available to customers outside the United States. This book is printed on recycled, acid-free paper containing 10% postconsumer waste. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 DOC/DOC 1 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 ISBN 978-0-07-353202-8 MHID 0-07-353202-9 Vice President & Editor-in-Chief: Michael Ryan Vice President EDP/Central Publishing Services: Kimberly Meriwether David Publisher: Mike Sugarman Executive Editor: Krista Bettino Managing Editor: Meghan Campbell Executive Marketing Manager: Pamela S. Cooper Senior Project Manager: Lisa A. Bruflodt Buyer: Laura Fuller Design Coordinator: Margarite Reynolds Media Project Manager: Sridevi Palani Indexer: Stephanie Abbott Compositor: Laserwords Private Limited Typeface: 10/12 Goudy Printer: R. R. Donnelley All credits appearing on page or at the end of the book are considered to be an extension of the copyright page. Bordens, Kenneth S. Research design and methods : a process approach / Kenneth S. Bordens, Bruce B. Abbott.–8th ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-07-353202-8 (alk. paper) 1. Psychology–Research–Textbooks. 2. Psychology–Research–Methodology–Textbooks. I. Abbott, Bruce B. II. Title. BF76.5.B67 2011 150.72– dc22 2010009326
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We dedicate this book to our parents, who provided us with the opportunity and inspiration to excel personally and professionally. Lila Bordens and Walter Bordens Irene Abbott and Raymond Abbott
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CONTENTS
Preface
xvii
Chapter 1: Explaining Behavior
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What Is Science, and What Do Scientists Do? Science as a Way of Thinking 3 How Do Scientists Do Science? 3 Basic and Applied Research 4 Framing a Problem in Scientific Terms 5
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Learning About Research: Why Should You Care? Exploring the Causes of Behavior
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Explaining Behavior 8 Science, Nonscience, and Pseudoscience 9 Scientific Explanations 11 Commonsense Explanations Versus Scientific Explanations 14 Belief-Based Explanations Versus Scientific Explanations 16 When Scientific