Principles of Research in Behavioral Science

Rating:
Summary: Readable, helpful and most of all user-friendly
Review: For first year graduates in Psychology this is one of the most readable texts currently on the market. As a first year Master's student, I found the text helpful in applying theory to practice. Filled with practical examples, simplicity and a minimum of statistics, this text is a must for statistic phobic graduates. The text also serves as a handy reference guide, and doubles as an invaluable tool in thesis preparation.

Rating:
Summary: Superior reference work for psychology students
Review: I had the fortunate experiences of taking a research methods course with the author using the first edition of this text during my masters work, and reviewing portions of the new second edition before publication. Dr. Whitley's text is well written and includes detailed descriptions of topics often under-developed or ignored by other authors (e.g. the social responsibilities of researchers). At all times he keeps the (often difficult) material readable and accessible to students who approach the book with varying levels of previous training, using actual published research as examples instead of the fictional studies often employed by authors. Nothing is overlooked or left to chance. By keeping the text relatively light on statistics, he has allowed even students with statistics anxiety a chance to learn what they need to know to be effective research psychologists. Copies of both editions of this text remain in my personal library and are regularly consulted when I am faced with a question in designing research projects. I am always sure of finding the correct answers.