Research in psychology involves developing a research question, reviewing the history of that question or related ones in the discipline to understand what has already been found, and using an experiment of some type to answer the question or to explore it further. The experiment itself is a method for finding the answer. The method frequently involves identifying and measuring variables, or characteristics of the research that can change in some way. After the experiment concludes, the researcher reports the results and interprets the information for the reader. The following resources provide general information on research methods and measurements in psychology.
SAGE Research Methods
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Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology by
Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology guides readers through the range of choices involved in design, analysis, and presentation and is supplemented by a range of practical learning features. The book includes step-by-step guides to quantitative and qualitative methods and analyses.
Key Concepts in Measurement by
Measurement refers generally to the process of assigning a numeric value to, or ordering characteristics or traits of, entities under study. Measurement is necessary for building and testing theory, specifying problems, and defining goals. It is arguably one of the most important and difficult tasks in social work research. This book is to serve as a guide for developing, selecting, and using measures in social work research.
Research Methods: A Tool for Life by
Research Methods is an introduction to the importance of scientific research in everyday life and uses familiar examples to keep students engaged. The text analyzes controversies in psychology to stimulate student interest while explaining crucial methodological concepts. It presents ethical issues related to research, as well as social and cultural factors that might affect it, and provides a comprehensive introduction to a wide variety of methodologies. Through this book, students will learn how to generate research questions and select appropriate methodology, as well as to write a successful research report.
Research Methods in Psychology, 4th American Edition by
This fourth edition (published in 2019) was co-authored by Rajiv S. Jhangiani (Kwantlen Polytechnic University), Carrie Cuttler (Washington State University), and Dana C. Leighton (Texas A&M University-Texarkana) and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
According to the Encyclopedia of Measurement and Statistics, "[a] variable represents a class of outcomes that can take on more than one value. For example, car make is a variable that can take on the values of Pontiac, Volvo, or Chevrolet, among others."
There are different types of variables. Two of the most frequent ones in academic research are dependent variables and independent variables. A dependent variable is one that a researcher is measuring in an experiment. An independent variable is one that a researcher is purposefully changing in order to see the effect on the dependent variable.
For example, if the research question is "what is the effect of a college education on income throughout one's career?", the independent variable is the level of education (no college degree, a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, a doctoral degree), and the dependent variable is the average amount of money earned over the career of each person in the study.
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Know Your Variables by
Know Your Variables unlocks the gate to simple data analysis for any stats course. Packed with lively examples it shows students what variables are and why looking for relationships between them is so interesting and so powerful.
Interpreting data "is about distilling and identifying meaning and significance in the object, sphere, setting or interaction under consideration." Quantitative and qualitative data lend themselves to different methods of interpretation. One can apply statistical operations and mathematical analyses to quantitative data. Qualitative data require other types of analysis that are often focused on use of language and social contexts. See Palgrave Key Concepts: Key Concepts in Business and Management Research Methods, for additional information about various methods for analyzing and interpreting data.
Analyzing Quantitative Data by
A user-friendly, hands-on guide to recognizing and conducting proper research techniques in data collection. Analyzing Quantitative Data: An Introduction for Social Researchers presents readers with the necessary statistical applications for carrying out the key phases of conducting and evaluating a research project. The book guides readers through the steps of data analysis, from organizing raw data to utilizing descriptive statistics and tests of significance, drawing valid conclusions, and writing research reports.
Presenting Data: How to Communicate Your Message Effectively by
A clear easy-to-read guide to presenting your message using statistical data Poor presentation of data is everywhere; basic principles are forgotten or ignored. As a result, audiences are presented with confusing tables and charts that do not make immediate sense. This book is intended to be read by all who present data in any form.
Analyzing the results of an investigation and providing an explanation of the meaning of the results requires much thought and skilled use of language. An analysis should report the outcomes of the experiment, place the results into the context of prior research in the area, interpret the results for the reader, and draw conclusions. When planning for the analytical writing part of a research project, be sure to include a generous amount of time to re-read the literature on the topic, to present the results and conclusions in clear language, and to edit the text a number of times, especially if a reviewer will provide feedback to consider for the final version.
Below are some resources that provide further information about summarizing and interpreting results.
Results Section from The SAGE Encyclopedia of Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation by 
An Introduction to Research, Analysis, and Writing by
This accessible guide walks readers through the process of completing a social science research project. Written specifically to meet the needs of undergraduate research classes, it introduces students to a complete skill set, including: planning, design, analysis, argumentation, criticizing theories, building theories, modeling theories, choosing methods, gathering data, presenting evidence, and writing the final product. Students can use this text as a practical resource to navigate through each stage of the process, including choices between more advanced research techniques.
"They say / I say": The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, with Readings by
This is the book that demystifies academic writing and shows how to engage with the views of others with practical advice and readings that represent a multitude of perspectives and disciplines.
Effective Writing in Psychology by
The second edition of Effective Writing in Psychology helps users produce crisp scientific communication, form concise unambiguous arguments, and render technical information clear and comprehensible. Clear guidelines on effective writing illustrate how to generate strong and compelling prose, even when the writing is not aimed at a research audience.
Reporting Research in Psychology by
Provides practical guidance on understanding and implementing journal article reporting standards (JARS) and meta-analyses reporting standards (MARS). It includes carefully chosen examples from articles published in APA journals that illustrate how JARS and MARS can be incorporated into various types of research studies, with engaging and helpful commentaries on each item.
The Dissertation Journey by
The dissertation is a tough mountain to climb; half of all doctoral students never make it to the top. To overcome the practical, social, and psychological obstacles along the way, you need a knowledgeable guide and the right tools. Written in an engaging and motivational style, The Dissertation Journey is a comprehensive how-to guide for graduate students faced with the challenge of developing and writing a quality dissertation.
