Synopsis
This book will help undergraduate psychology students to write practical reports of experimental and other quantitative studies in psychology. It is designed to help with every stage of the report writing process including what to put in each section and recommendations for formatting and style. It also discusses how to design a study, including how to use and report relevant statistics. As such, the book acts both as an introduction and reference source to be used throughout an undergraduate course.
Key features of the new edition include:
- New pedagogy. Website icons within the text reference an enhanced website, www.openup.co.uk/harris, and ‘Common Mistake’ icons highlight common errors students should avoid. Statistics icons make reference to two key statistics books* where students can find more detailed information. A further icon indicates the presence of relevant commentary at the end of the book for more advanced students
- Discussion of how to write up different forms of quantitative study and report relevant statistics
- Improved self-testing. There are diagnostic questions (with answers at the end of the book) as well as fifty self-assessment questions within the text to aid student learning. Chapters in part two contain a list of methodological and statistical concepts covered that will help students to consolidate their knowledge
- A completely revised section on how to find and cite references plus current information on how to cite electronic references, incorporating the new APA guidelines
- Advice on the ethics of conducting research on the Internet
* The statistics books referenced are SPSS Survival Manual 3/e by Julie Pallant and Learning to Use Statistical Tests in Psychology 3/e by Judith Greene and Manuela d’Oliveira, both published by Open University Press. However, this book is designed for use with any statistics textbook.
Booknews
Arguing that the elements of experiment design and reporting are inextricably linked, Harris (psychology, U. of Sheffield, UK) presents an introductory textbook on experimental design and reporting in psychology. First he presents information on writing reports, with separate chapters for each of a report's principle sections. The chapters on design discuss basic issues, significance testing in statistics, and effect size and power in statistics. The book is distributed in the US by Taylor & Francis. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)