DOING RESEARCH:
The Hows and Whys of Applied Research

Nel Verhoeven, Roosevelt Academy of Utrecht University at Middelburg, Netherlands

Doing Research: The Hows and Whys of Applied Research, Third Edition provides a clear introduction to the research methods and statistics used in education, social work, and the social sciences. The author writes in clear and accessible prose which guides the reader through the research process without losing sight of the cyclical nature of research as a whole. The emphasis is on applied research in which all the stages are demonstrated: setting up a research project, gathering data, analyzing the results, drawing conclusions, and preparing and evaluating research reports. Recent examples are linked to practical situations which students may encounter. Students are encouraged to practice research in their lives by identifying questions that come up which could be treated as research problems. The only way to get better at research is to practice!

A thorough, practical text, Doing Research is appropriate as both an introductory course text and as a reference for applied research. 

A Website for Students and Teachers

Visit the website, www.doingresearch.nl, for example data sets, PowerPoint presentation slides, teaching tips, and more! Access codes for the site will be given to teachers and provided to students with purchase of the book. Please note that though this great resource is hosted by the Dutch publisher of Doing Research, Eleven International Publishing, the book is available for purchase in North America exclusively through Lyceum Books, Inc.

Features

• Text exercises with solutions on the book’s website, which also hosts a library of other assignments and exercises
• Clear presentation of quantitative and qualitative methods, where they complement each other, and how they can be used together where appropriate

Contents

Preface
Introduction

1      The Purpose of Research
1.1 You Have to Learn to Do Research
1.2 Research Approaches
1.3 Schools of Thought in Research
1.4 Assessing the Quality of Research
1.5 Research Cycles
1.6 Research Phases in Research
1.7 Glossary of Most Important Terms and Their Meaning
1.8 Assignments for Chapter 1

Part I Design

2      Reasons for Research
2.1 Choosing Your Topic
2.2 Clients: You Can’t Always Get What You Want
2.3 Data Collection
            2.3.1 Six Rules for When Searching for Information
            2.3.2 Searching on the Internet
            2.3.3 Logbook
2.4 Glossary of Most Important Terms and Their Meaning
2.5 Assignments for Chapter 2

3      Demarcating the Research Topic
3.1 On with the Preparations: The Design Phase
3.2 Asking Questions
            3.2.1 Problem Description
            3.2.2 Sub-Questions
            3.2.3 Research Objectives
3.3 Concept Demarcation
3.4 Models and Expectations
3.5 Design Choice
3.6 Research Plan
            3.6.1 How Do You Compose a Research Plan?
            3.6.2 Timeline
            3.6.3 Preparing for the Report
3.7 Assessing Research Proposals
3.8 Glossary of Most Important Terms and Their Meaning
3.9 Assignments for Chapter 3

Part II            Fieldwork

4      Quantitative Data Collection Methods
4.1 Surveys
            4.1.1 Taking Part in a Survey
            4.1.2 Types of Surveys
4.2 Secondary Analysis
4.3 Experimental Research
            4.3.1 Aspects of Experimental Research
            4.3.2 Types of Experimental Research
4.4 Monitor
4.5 Glossary of Most Important Terms and Their Meaning
4.6 Assignments for Chapter 4

5      Qualitative Methods of Data Collection
5.1 Observation
            5.1.1 Types of Observation Research
            5.1.2 Scoring Observed Behavior
5.2 Interviews
5.3 Literature Research
5.4 Content Analysis and Other Kinds of Desk Research
5.5 Case Studies
5.6 The Right Way?
5.7 Glossary of Most Important Terms and Their Meaning
5.8 Assignments for Chapter 5

6      Applying the Method: Operationalization and Sample
6.1 From Theory to Practice
6.2 Developing Survey Questions
            6.2.1 Asking Questions
            6.2.2 Giving Answers
            6.2.3 Likert Scales
            6.2.4 Good Questions – Good Answers
            6.2.5 Preparations for Quantitative Processing: Variables
6.3 Interview Topics
6.4 Population and Sample
            6.4.1 What Is a Profession?
            6.4.2 Conditions for Drawing Samples
            6.4.3 Probability Sampling
            6.4.4 Non-Probability Sampling
6.5 The Quality of Research
            6.5.1 Reliability
            6.5.2 Validity
            6.5.3 Usability
6.6 Glossary of Most Important Terms and Their Meaning
6.7 Assignment for Chapter 6

7      Data Collection
7.1 The Research Setting
7.2 Going into ‘the Field’ or Not?
7.3 Online Research
            7.3.1 Online Surveys
            7.3.2 Wireless Research: Mobile Phones
7.4 Respondents and Surveys
            7.4.1 The Real Fieldwork Begins
            7.4.2 Incentives
            7.4.3 Survey Response
            7.4.4 Tips & Tricks
7.5 Interviews: Working on Rapport
            7.5.1 Recruiting Respondents
            7.5.2 Introduction to the Discussion
            7.5.3 Recording Interviews
            7.5.4 Interviewing Techniques
            7.5.5 Winding Down
            7.5.6 Tips & Tricks
7.6 Interpretation Errors
7.7 Glossary of Most Important Terms and Their Meaning
7.8 Assignments for Chapter 7

Part III           Analyzing

8      Processing Quantitative Data
8.1 Terms Used in Quantitative Analysis
            8.1.1 Terminology
            8.1.2 Measurement Levels of Variables
8.2 Preparing for the Analysis: Formulating Hypothesis
8.3 Univariate Analyses
            8.3.1 Frequency Distribution
            8.3.2 Graphs for One Variable
            8.3.3 Measures of Central Tendency
            8.3.4 Measures of Variability
8.4 Bivariate Analyses
            8.4.1 Cross Tabulations
            8.4.2 Graphs Illustrating Two Variables
8.5 Quality of Analysis
            8.5.1 Reliability
            8.5.2 Validity
8.6 Glossary of Most Important Terms and Their Meaning
8.7 Assignments for Chapter 8

9      Qualitative Analysis
9.1 Quality of Analysis of Texts
            9.1.1 Principles of Qualitative Analysis
            9.1.2 Qualitative Processing Data
            9.1.3 Tools for Qualitative Analysis
9.2 Content Analysis: the Case of the ‘Glass Ceiling’
9.3 Software as a Tool for Qualitative Analysis
            Kwalitan 5.0
9.4 Quality of the Results
            9.4.1 Reliability
            9.4.2 Validity
9.5 Glossary of Most Important Terms and Their Meaning
9.6 Assignments for Chapter 9

10    Conclusion and Discussion
10.1 Drawing Conclusions
            10.1.1 Answering the Main Research Question
            10.1.2 Presenting the Conclusion: An Example
10.2 Discussion and Evaluation
            10.2.1 Conclusions from a Broader Perspective
            10.2.2 Making Recommendations
            10.2.3 Conclusion and Discussion Summed Up
10.3 Glossary of Most Important Terms and Their Meaning
10.4 Assignments for Chapter 10

11    Compiling a Research Report
11.1 The Structure of a Research Report
11.2 The Main Content of a Research Report
            11.2.1 Title Page
            11.2.2 Abstract
            11.2.3 Background and Introduction
            11.2.4 Method Selection
            11.2.5 Results
            11.2 6 Conclusion and Discussion
11.3 List of References and Appendices
            11.3.1 Referring to Literature in the Text
            11.3.2 APA Guidelines for Reference Lists
            11.3.3 Appendices
            11.3.4 Criteria for the Contents of a Research Report
11.4 Writing an Executive Summary
11.5 Writing Tips
11.6 Assessing Publications
11.7 Glossary of Most Important Terms and Their Meaning
11.8 Assignments for Chapter 11

Appendix Sources
            Introduction
            References
            Websites Consulted