This text presents an overview of statistical methods within the context of the behavioral sciences. Emphasis is placed on explaining statistical procedures and interpreting results, with little discussion of theory or the derivation of equations. No college-level math background is required. The text can be used for research-oriented statistical methods courses in the behavioral sciences, the natural sciences, education, engineering, and business. It can also be used to introduce graduate students to experimental research, statistical tools, and scientific communications such as refereed publications and research proposals. The book begins with an overview of scientific research and methods of describing data. Later chapters cover bivariate descriptive statistics, simple experimental design, simple analysis of variance, multifactor analysis of variance, and planning, conducting, and reporting research. Appendices offer statistical tables and a glossary of terms and equations. This fourth edition integrates changes in APA style. Also new are chapter summaries, key words, and exercises with answers. Vercruyssen is director of the Hawaii Academy. Hendrick was professor emeritus at the University of Southern CA. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Now in its fourth edition, Behavioral Research and Analysis: An Introduction to Statistics within the Context of Experimental Design presents an overview of statistical methods within the context of experimental design. It covers fundamental topics such as data collection, data analysis, interpretation of results, and communication of findings.
New in the Fourth Edition:
- Extensive improvements based on suggestions from those using this book in the classroom
- Statistical procedures that have been developed and validated since the previous edition
- Each chapter in the body now contains relevant key words, chapter summaries, key word definitions, and end of chapter exercises (with answers)
- Revisions to include recent changes in the APA Style Manual
When looking for a book for their own use, the authors found none that were totally suitable. They found books that either reviewed the basics of behavioral research and experimental design but provided only cursory coverage of statistical methods or they provided coverage of statistical methods with very little coverage of the research context within which these methods are used. No single resource provided coverage of methodology, statistics, and communication skills. In a classic example of necessity being the mother of invention, the authors created their own.
This text is ideal for a single course that reviews research methods, essential statistics through multi-factor analysis of variance, and thesis (or major project) preparation without discussion of derivation of equations, probability theory, or mathematic proofs. It focuses on essential information for getting a research project completed without prerequisite math or statistics training. It has been revised many times to help students at a variety of academic levels (exceptional high school students, undergraduate honors students, masters students, doctoral students, and post-doctoral fellows) across varied academic disciplines (e.g., human factors and ergonomics, behavioral and social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, exercise and sport sciences, business and management, industrial hygiene and safety science, health and medical sciences, and more).
Illustrating how to plan, prepare, conduct, and analyze an experimental or research report, the book emphasizes explaining statistical procedures and interpreting obtained results without discussing the derivation of equations or history of the method. Destined to spend more time on your desk than on the shelf, the book will become the single resource you reach for again and again when conducting scientific research and reporting it to the scientific community.
