Title Details

Dana S. Dunn is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Learning in Common Curriculum at Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA. He serves as President of the Society for the Teaching of Psychology in 2010.

List of Active Learning Exercises Preface to the Second Edition Acknowledgments 1. The Why and How of Psychological Research Why Do Research? The Research Loop of Experimentation The How of Research: Practical Issues When Beginning a Project To Collaborate or Not to Collaborate? Summary Key Terms Suggested Readings2.  Research Approaches and Generating Ideas Some Approaches to Research Generating Research Ideas Critiquing Research Ideas Trust and Conducting Research Summary Key Terms Suggested Readings3. Searching and Reading the Psychological Literature Why Are Journals Emphasized? Locating the Literature How to Read an Empirical Journal Article or Book Chapter Keeping Track of Research Materials Note Taking Summary Key Terms Suggested Readings  4. Writing: A First and Last Consideration Mastering APA Style The Format of an APA-Style Paper Practical Issues for Writing Sharing Paper Drafts Writing All the Time Summary Key Terms Suggested Readings 5.  Ethical Considerations in the Practice Of Research Human and Animal Research Balancing Participant Welfare and Scientific Advancement Informed Consent Recruiting Research Participants and Administering Credit How to Treat Research Participants Debriefing Human Participants Ethics Outside the Laboratory Beyond Ethics: Telling the Truth with Research Summary Key Terms Suggested Readings 6. Experimental Research Formulating a Testable Hypothesis Reliability and Validity Manipulating Independent Variables Error Measuring Dependent Variables Avoiding Bias Sampling and Assigning Participants Research Design: Factor and Factorial Single Participant Experiments Conclusion: A Model of the True Experiment Summary Key Terms Suggested Readings 7. Applied and Field Research: Nonexperimental Approaches Validity and Context Correlational Research Quasi-experiments Surveys Remaining Practical Concerns in Applied and Field Research External Validity as Opportunity Summary Key Terms Suggested Readings8. Planning Analysis and Displaying Data Statistics as a Tool Review of Basic Statistical Issues Selecting the Appropriate Statistical Test What Do the Statistical Results Mean, Anyway? Displaying Data Coda: Keeping Data and Analysis Records Summary Key Terms Suggested Readings9. Presenting and Publishing Research Writing: A Brief Reprise Giving a Research Presentation Forums for Research: Where Can You Present? Conclusion Summary Key Terms Suggested Readings10. Closing Thoughts and Future Directions Asking the Right Questions in Psychological Research The Place of Research: Skills Acquired, Skills Applied Beyond Distinctive Skills: What is the Practical Good of Learning Research Methods? Giving Psychology Away Loving the Research Process: A Responsibility Summary Suggested Readings Appendix A: Sample Student Paper Written in APA Style Appendix B: Statistical Analyses Appendix C: Statistical Tables Appendix D: Professional Issues for the Future: Presenting Yourself Glossary References Author Index Subject Index

“The Practical Researcher helps students design and execute studies using active learning exercises, as well as analyze data, interpret findings, and write up the results that are obtained. Students and other readers will develop the skills of scientific reasoning, and the ability to know the difference between good and poor research.”
–Diane F. Halpern, Claremont McKenna College

“Dana Dunn's book is exactly what is needed for the millennial student of today-a book that shows you why being a good researcher is important and immediately plunges you into the excitement of using research tools.”
–Regan A. R. Gurung, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay

"What a marvelous text! Dunn has superbly distilled the key elements of research methods and scientific writing in a clear, concise, and compelling book. His prose is crisp and conversational, and as a result the book user-friendly and incredibly readable."
–William Buskist, Auburn University

"Being able to do research scientifically, ethically, and robustly, forms the core of field of psychology. In programs nationwide, faculty strive to get students to understand how to do research and to train them well. Although there are many research method textbooks there are few that are written with an eye towards being pragmatic. Dana Dunn’s book is exactly what is needed for the millennial student of today—a book that shows you why being a good researcher is important and immediately plunges you into the excitement of using research tools. This book is a useable manual, something that separates it from the other books out there. The writing is accessible. The coverage of topics is comprehensive and Dunn has designed the narrative with pedagogy in mind: having space to jot down responses may make the student more likely to stop and actually try out what is suggested. I particularly liked the many active learning exercises—Dunn has hit all the critical parts of the research process. I look forward to using it with my research assistants and recommend it to students and colleagues alike."
–Regan A. R. Gurung, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay

"Dana's ethics chapter sets an appropriate tone of balance and fairness. Controversial positions (e.g., for and against animal research, the use of deception) and "classic" studies exemplify the real ethics of psychological research. The chapter exercises are realistic opportunities to practice steps that student researchers ought to take, such as filling out an IRB protocol, writing an informed consent document, describing an experiment to solicit participants, and creating a debriefing procedure. Further, the sample paper in the Appendix is very interesting and presents a realistic model of excellent undergraduate student writing."
–Ruth Ault, Davidson College

"This book is uncommonly good. Dana Dunn knows when and how students may stumble as they conduct research, and he provides clear, step-by-step instructions designed to overcome obstacles and show students the joys and satisfactions of completing high-quality research projects. Dunn’s experiences in the classroom have given him important insights into the difficulties and dilemmas that student researchers typically face, and a central strength of this book is its focus on practical solutions. This just may be the only research methods textbook that students do not feel compelled to burn, shred, demolish, or otherwise obliterate in a celebratory ritual after completing the course."
–Kristen J. Klaaren, Randolph Macon College

"Research methods are at the heart of psychology, but students often don’t understand why they need to know how to actually do research. Dana Dunn's latest book, The Practical Researcher, helps students design and execute studies using active learning exercises, as well as analyze data, interpret findings, and write up the results that are obtained. Students and other readers will develop the skills of scientific reasoning, and at this time when we are awash with more information than anyone can possibly use, the ability to know the difference between good and poor research is critical to success in every area of life."
–Diane F. Halpern, Ph.D., Claremont McKenna College