Discovering Research Methods in Psychology presents a student-friendly introduction to the principal research methodology techniques of psychology. Using a narrative approach, the text explains the complexities of research and the vital role it has played in the development of the field.

Acknowledgements vii 1. Introduction and How To Use This Book 1 2. Ethics 4 3. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 15 Experiment – A Randomised Controlled Trial 4. Music and Stress 27 Experiment – A Matched Pairs Design 5. Competitive Anxiety 41 Experiment – A Repeated Measures Design 6. Change Blindness 51 Experiment – A Single Sample Design 7. Acoustic Preferences 67 Programme of Experiments – Animal Studies 8. Cognitive Costs of Racial Prejudice 83 Experiment – Unrelated Three-Factor Design, Between Groups and Between Conditions 9. Mate-Selection Strategies 96 Experiment – A Mixed Two-Factor Design, Within and Between Groups 10. The Autistic Spectrum 110 Structured Observation 11. Cognitive Maps 121 Clinical/Laboratory Observation 12. Eating Disorders and the Media 134 Observation – Quantitative Content Analysis 13. Eating Disorders: The Experience 146 Observation – Qualitative Content Analysis 14. Face Recognition 157 Observation – Clinical Case Study 15. Choices and Decisions 166 Survey Methods – Quantitative Questionnaire 16. Measuring Romance 181 Survey Methods – Scale Development 17. Paranoia 196 Survey Methods – Interview 18. Understanding Heavy Drinking 207 Survey Methods – Qualitative and Quantitative 19. Attributing Success and Failure 217 Cross-Cultural Study Using Mixed Methods 20. Contrasting the Methods 231 An Overview Key Topics 246 BPS Ethical Principles for Conducting Research with Human Participants 268 Glossary 275 References 309 Index 320 

Discovering Research Methods in Psychology presents an accessible, student-friendly introduction to the principal research methodology techniques that underpin the field of psychology. By utilizing a narrative approach, the text facilitates a clearer understanding of the complexities of research and the vital role it has played in the development of psychology. The majority of the text consists of clear summaries of carefully-chosen contemporary studies that reflect diversity while introducing the reader to the three main types of research methods used in psychology: observation, experimentation, and survey methods. An additional section featuring a comprehensive glossary of research terms that appear in the narrative provides further clarity. The text's final section then offers expansive coverage of several important issues raised in the narrative such as Ethical Guidelines, Probability, Report Writing, and Referencing. Discovering Research Methods in Psychology: A Student's Guide offers a refreshingly readable alternative that ensures a thorough grounding in the fundamental methodology that is essential to the study of psychology.

"A practical and easy-to-read "how to" guide for all psychology students, especially those new to the field of experimental design and research methods. By teaching research methods via real life examples from current published literature, this book gives students a fresh look at the diversity of research. A must-have for all students just starting out on their psychology career paths." –Claudia Dougall, second year Experimental Psychology student, University of Bristol "This is a resource that will help combat research-methods teaching fatigue for both students and teachers alike." –Jason Ellis, Associate Director of University of Glasgow Sleep Centre "The attractive material in this innovative text guarantees that, from now on, the hours spent teaching and learning Research Methods will be a relaxed and enjoyable experience." –Cris Izura, Swansea University "In this book, Dr Sanders manages to deliver everything in an easy and approachable way. The book is clearly structured and attractively written and covers all the material I need for my course." –Peter Ivak, second year Psychology student, University of Aberdeen, UK "Lalage Sanders’ book, Discovering Research Methods in Psychology, is something rare amongst research methods textbooks. So few books manage to capture the curiosity and intellectual enjoyment that some of us experience when reading and critically assessing research articles. So few authors really put research into context, and even fewer write in a style that can excite and reach out to the student. Dr Sanders writes enthusiastically and vibrantly, and produces something thoroughly worth reading. This book is an excellent vehicle for anyone who needs convincing why the seemingly dry concepts we have thrust upon us are totally essential to our world." –Dr Mark Forshaw, Staffordshire University

Acknowledgements 1. Introduction and How To Use This Book 2. Ethics 3. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 4. Music and Stress 5. Competitive Anxiety 6. Change Blindness 7. Acoustic Preferences 8. Cognitive Costs of Racial Prejudice 9. Mate-Selection Strategies 10. The Autistic Spectrum 11. Cognitive Maps 12. Eating Disorders and the Media 13. Eating Disorders: The Experience 14. Face Recognition 15. Choices and Decisions 16. Measuring Romance 17. Paranoia 18. Understanding Heavy Drinking 19. Attributing Success and Failure 20. Contrasting the Methods Key Topics BPS Ethical Principles for Conducting Research with Human Participants Glossary References Index