Naturalistic Observation

Observation is one of the foundational methods of qualitative inquiry—but only if it is conducted in a systematic fashion that allows for the careful recording of data and the consistent retrieval of those data for purposes of analysis. To that end, this book features a brief how-to guide to conducting observations in naturalistic settings. The history of observational research, ongoing questions of its epistemological status, the impact of new technologies, and its major ethical concerns are also treated. Replete with examples of observation-based research, questions for class discussion, a glossary, and extensive references, this volume offers a rapid fire start into doing naturalistic observational research for novices and students.

Now in full colour, this thoroughly revised and updated 3rd edition of Psychology for AS Level takes into account all the latest changes to the AQA-A syllabus since the last edition was published. It remains closely mapped to the specification making it ideal for students taking the AS Level Psychology exam. New to this edition is a strong emphasis on exam technique, giving students the best chance possible of the highest grades. A whole chapter is devoted to how to study and how to pass, with an 'Examiner's Viewpoint' written by the Chief Examiner at AQA-A. Throughout the book are hints and tips on picking up marks, and there are constant page references to the summarised content in our companion AS revision guide. Further examination support is provided by our accompanying student website, AS Online, available on a subscription basis to all schools and sixth form colleges that adopt the text. This includes a Student Workbook, interactive exercises, sample essays, interactive multiple-choice questions, a complete Exam Companion and much more. We also provide teacher resources free of charge to qualifying adopters which include a week-by-week teaching plan, sample essays, chapter-by-chapter lecture presentations, and classroom exercises and activities. Please see http://www.a-levelpsychology.co.uk/online for further details of these resources and a demo chapter of AS Online. The book includes coverage of six key areas in psychology: human memory, attachments in development, stress, abnormality, social influence and research methods. It retains the thorough content, volume of features and excellent writing style of previous editions but the layout is now fully structured to improve accessibility. Unlike other A-Level textbooks which focus solely on passing the exam, ‘Psychology for AS Level’ is also designed to foster an interest in the study of psychology as a subject. To this end, the book includes an additional general chapter to introduce the theories and explanations that make psychology a fascinating discipline.

To request a free 30-day online trial to this product, visit www.sagepub.com/freetrial Research design can be daunting for all types of researchers. At its heart it might be described as a formalized approach toward problem solving, thinking, and acquiring knowledge—the success of which depends upon clearly defined objectives and appropriate choice of statistical tools, tests, and analysis to meet a project's objectives. Comprising more than 500 entries, the Encyclopedia of Research Design explains how to make decisions about research design, undertake research projects in an ethical manner, interpret and draw valid inferences from data, and evaluate experiment design strategies and results. Two additional features carry this encyclopedia far above other works in the field: bibliographic entries devoted to significant articles in the history of research design and reviews of contemporary tools, such as software and statistical procedures, used to analyze results. Key Features Covers the spectrum of research design strategies, from material presented in introductory classes to topics necessary in graduate research Addresses cross- and multidisciplinary research needs, with many examples drawn from the social and behavioral sciences, neurosciences, and biomedical and life sciences Provides summaries of advantages and disadvantages of often-used strategies Uses hundreds of sample tables, figures, and equations based on real-life cases Key Themes Descriptive Statistics Distributions Graphical Displays of Data Hypothesis Testing Important Publications Inferential Statistics Item Response Theory Mathematical Concepts Measurement Concepts Organizations Publishing Qualitative Research Reliability of Scores Research Design Concepts Research Designs Research Ethics Research Process Research Validity Issues Sampling Scaling Software Applications Statistical Assumptions Statistical Concepts Statistical Procedures Statistical Tests Theories, Laws, and Principles Types of Variables Validity of Scores The Encyclopedia of Research Design is the perfect instrument for new learners as well as experienced researchers to explore both the original and newest branches of the field.

"Showing how science is limited by its dominant mode of investigation, Lincoln and Guba propose an alternative paradigm--a "naturalistic" rather than "rationalistic" method of inquiry--in which the investigator avoids manipulating research outcomes. A "paradigm shift" is under way in many fields, they contend, and go on to describe the different assumptions of the two approaches regarding the nature of reality, subject-object interaction, the possibility of generalization, the concept of causality, and the role of values. The authors also offer guidance for research in the field (where, they say, naturalistic inquiry always takes place). Useful tips are given, for example, on "designing" a study as it unfolds, establishing "trustworthiness," and writing a case report. This book helps researchers "both to understand and to do naturalistic inquiry." Of particular interest to educational researchers, it is valuable for all social scientists involved with questions of qualitative and quantitative methodology."--Publisher's description.

An highly anticipated new text for the topically-organized child development course, written by three of the field's most accomplished researchers.