Understanding Research: A Consumer's Guide

Note: This is the loose-leaf version of Understanding Research and does not include access to the Enhanced Pearson eText. To order the Enhanced Pearson eText packaged with the loose-leaf version, use ISBN 0133831620.

This introductory text is written specifically for consumers of research – anyone who uses the results and implications of research studies to enhance their knowledge and improve their practice. The focus is on guiding students toward a basic understanding of the research process, allowing them to develop the skills, knowledge and strategies needed to read, interpret, and evaluate the quality of research reports. The text provides balanced coverage of quantitative, qualitative, and combined research approaches. The Enhanced Pearson eText features interactive learning modules and assessments.

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From reviews of the book:

"The structure of the book is great.  [The authors use] language that helps the reader become engaged and invites them to start applying what they have learned to their situation immediately.  The examples of the journal articles with the notations are very helpful and we use these for discussion in the class quite a bit.  I also like the 'reviewing what we’ve learned' and 'practicing your skills' at the end of the chapter.  I much prefer the consumer approach of this text over others on the market."

    -- Candyce Reynolds, Portland State University

"Understanding Research is true to its name; it is much more user friendly, it explains WHAT research IS.  It does an EXCELLENT job of covering all of the material I currently cover. [The authors] (fortunately) force me to provide a balanced, comparative description of both [quantitative and qualitative] research. . . . I find the writing style to be clear, interesting and engaging. " 

    -- Carol A. Friesen, Ball State University

"Understanding Research is true to its name; it is much more user friendly, it explains WHAT research IS.  It does an EXCELLENT job of covering all of the material I currently cover.  I am not a huge fan of qualitative research, but you (fortunately) force me to provide a balanced, comparative description of both kinds of research...  I find the writing style to be clear, interesting and engaging. "  -- Carol A. Friesen, Ball State University

"The structure of the book is great.  The clear learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter is helpful and the graphics throughout and the connections between them add consistency and further add to understanding for the students.  I like the checking in on learning in the middle of the text and the little sidebars that help them apply their learning...[The authors use] language that helps the reader become engaged and invites them to start applying what they have learned to their situation immediately.  The examples of the journal articles with the notations is very helpful and we use these for discussion in the class quite a bit... I also like the reviewing what we’ve learned and practicing your skills at the end of the chapter.  I much prefer the consumer approach of this text over others on the market." -- Candyce Reynolds, Portland State University

"We adopted this text because all of the manuscripts used as examples are from the field of education.  Therefore, as students learn about the research construct being taught, they are better able to understand how the research construct works within educational contexts." -- Colleen Swain, University of Florida