The Practical Researcher: A Student Guide to Conducting Psychological Research
“The Practical Researcher helps students design and execute studies using active learning exercises, as well as analyze data, interpret findings, and write up the results that are obtained. Students and other readers will develop the skills of scientific reasoning, and the ability to know the difference between good and poor research.”–Diane F. Halpern, Claremont McKenna College“Dana Dunn's book is exactly what is needed for the millennial student of today-a book that shows you why being a good researcher is important and immediately plunges you into the excitement of using research tools.”–Regan A. R. Gurung, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay"What a marvelous text! Dunn has superbly distilled the key elements of research methods and scientific writing in a clear, concise, and compelling book. His prose is crisp and conversational, and as a result the book user-friendly and incredibly readable."–William Buskist, Auburn University"Being able to do research scientifically, ethically, and robustly, forms the core of field of psychology. In programs nationwide, faculty strive to get students to understand how to do research and to train them well. Although there are many research method textbooks there are few that are written with an eye towards being pragmatic. Dana Dunn’s book is exactly what is needed for the millennial student of today—a book that shows you why being a good researcher is important and immediately plunges you into the excitement of using research tools. This book is a useable manual, something that separates it from the other books out there. The writing is accessible. The coverage of topics is comprehensive and Dunn has designed the narrative with pedagogy in mind: having space to jot down responses may make the student more likely to stop and actually try out what is suggested. I particularly liked the many active learning exercises—Dunn has hit all the critical parts of the research process. I look forward to using it with my research assistants and recommend it to students and colleagues alike."–Regan A. R. Gurung, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay"Dana's ethics chapter sets an appropriate tone of balance and fairness. Controversial positions (e.g., for and against animal research, the use of deception) and "classic" studies exemplify the real ethics of psychological research. The chapter exercises are realistic opportunities to practice steps that student researchers ought to take, such as filling out an IRB protocol, writing an informed consent document, describing an experiment to solicit participants, and creating a debriefing procedure. Further, the sample paper in the Appendix is very interesting and presents a realistic model of excellent undergraduate student writing."–Ruth Ault, Davidson College"This book is uncommonly good. Dana Dunn knows when and how students may stumble as they conduct research, and he provides clear, step-by-step instructions designed to overcome obstacles and show students the joys and satisfactions of completing high-quality research projects. Dunn’s experiences in the classroom have given him important insights into the difficulties and dilemmas that student researchers typically face, and a central strength of this book is its focus on practical solutions. This just may be the only research methods textbook that students do not feel compelled to burn, shred, demolish, or otherwise obliterate in a celebratory ritual after completing the course."–Kristen J. Klaaren, Randolph Macon College"Research methods are at the heart of psychology, but students often don’t understand why they need to know how to actually do research. Dana Dunn's latest book,The Practical Researcher, helps students design and execute studies using active learning exercises, as well as analyze data, interpret findings, and write up the results that are obtained. Students and other readers will develop the skills of scientific reasoning, and at this time when we are awash with more information than anyone can possibly use, the ability to know the difference between good and poor research is critical to success in every area of life."–Diane F. Halpern, Ph.D., Claremont McKenna College