Table of Contents

PART I: THINKING ABOUT RESEARCH
The Problem with People: Variation and Hypothesis Testing
Who Will You Study? Samples and Populations
How Will You Describe Your Findings?
What Have You Found? Inferential Statistics
PART II: DOING RESEARCH
Designing a Study: Running For The Bus
Designing a Study: The Best Way To Manage People
Practical: It's a Matter of Taste
Practical: Abnormal Cells on a Slide
 How People Search for Things
Practical: Constructing Memories
Practical: I'm Trying to Concentrate!
Practical: What Do You think? Attitude Research
Practical: Something's Not Right
Practical:Too Many Cooks Or Not Enough Heads?
Practical: Head Size and Intelligence
PART III: THE REALLY USEFUL SECTION
Thinking Critically
Sample Write-ups
Glossary.

Promotional Information

'This is the first research methods book that made me smile! It is a great 'how-to' guide, it is written in a very digestible format and doesn't overwhelm the reader. This will be a great resource for undergraduates, making the research process less painful for them and their supervisors!' - Dr Nicola Fear, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Psychiatry, University of London, UK 'Many students believe that the study of research methods is both difficult and dull. 'Research with people' can help dispel that belief. Holt and Walker manage to discuss the complex concepts involved clearly, simply and engagingly, using everyday examples to both inform and entertain the reader. Read it just to find out what the unipodus test is!' - Dr Nick Lund, Senior Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK 'In an area where misunderstanding is rife, this book is approachable and easy to use. It provides stimulating examples that grab the reader's attention, effectively conveying the principles of research methodologies. In the classroom, that really means the difference between passing and failing courses. The authors are to be congratulated on this great read' - James Bailey, Learning Area Manager for Social Sciences, Itchen College, UK 'Holt and Walker have written an extremely readable, accessible and stimulating introduction for all those students interested in studying human behaviour. In light-hearted prose, and avoiding heavy statistical language, the book distils complex matter into comprehensible reading. An excellent guide through all the key elements necessary to understand how to conduct proper research.' - Dr Michael L. W. Vliek, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands

About the Author

NIGEL HOLT is Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Bath Spa University College, UK. He received his degree in Psychology from Reading University and completed his D.Phil in Experimental Psychology at York University, UK. He is commissioning editor for Psychology Review.

IAN WALKER is Lecturer in Psychology and Director of Studies for Master of Research at the University of Bath, UK. He received his BSc and D.Phil in Psychology from York University, UK.

Reviews

"This is the first research methods book that made me smile! It is a great 'how-to' guide, it is written in a very digestible format and doesn't overwhelm the reader with (unnecessary) details. This will be a great resource for undergraduates, making the research process less painful for them and their supervisors!" - Dr Nicola Fear, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Psychiatry, University of London 'In an area where misunderstanding is rife, this book is approachable and easy to use. It provides stimulating examples that grab the reader's attention, effectively conveying the principles of research methodologies. In the classroom, that really means the difference between passing and failing courses. The authors are to be congratulated on this great read' - James Bailey, Learning Area Manager for Social Sciences, Itchen College. 'Many students believe that the study of research methods is both difficult and dull. 'Research with people' can help dispel that belief. Holt and Walker manage to discuss the complex concepts involved clearly, simply and engagingly, using everyday examples to both inform and entertain the reader. Read it just to find out what the unipodus test is!' - Dr Nick Lund, Senior Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University 'Holt and Walker have written an extremely readable, accessible and stimulating introduction for all those students interested in studying human behaviour. In light-hearted prose, and avoiding heavy statistical language, the book distils complex matter into comprehensible reading. An excellent guide through all the key elements necessary to understand how to conduct proper research.' - Dr Michael L. W. Vliek, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Psychology, University of Amsterdam '...an excellent companion for students...' - Psychology, Learning & Teaching