This exciting new core textbook offers a clear and practical introduction to quantitative methods, taking a project-based approach. The author's extensive knowledge and straightforward writing style ensure that students are steered through the process step-by-step, from developing research questions and preparing data for analysis, to explaining how to present data in appropriate formats, avoid bias, and write up results and reports. Featuring a comprehensive pedagogical framework and companion website, readers are encouraged to follow practice analyses as they go, with examples given in both SPSS and Excel, and templates are provided for students' own research. In addition to covering the research project, chapters also cover the essential mathematical and statistical analyses that are a logical consequence of posing a quantitative research methods question. This is the perfect text for all social science students studying introductory modules on quantitative methods, research methods or statistics at undergraduate or postgraduate level. It also functions as an effective guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students faced with an independent research project. Key Features: • Provides a concise and accessible introduction to the topic that does not require students to have pre-existing knowledge of quantitative methods, statistics or maths • Highly student-oriented, with highly practical guidance on topics such as how to come up with a good research question, understanding basic maths so students can follow the discussion of statistical analyses, and how to present and illustrate data. • Offers extensive guidance on how to conduct analyses with both SPSS and Excel • Extensive pedagogical features are integrated throughout, including chapter objectives and summaries, 'Review and Reflect' questions, 'Look Out!' boxes to guide students through difficult sections, 'check your understanding' student exercises at the end of each chapter accompanied by solutions at the back of the book, and an excellent Excel functions glossary • A companion website containing a wide range of additional learning resources, from checklists, questions, worksheets and templates, to SPSS and Excel data sets and examples About the Author: Daniela Aidley is a Professor of Business Psychology at the Applied University Westküste, Heide, Germany. Having first completed a Masters in Linguistics, Psychology and English, she worked at Harvey Nash HR Consulting and McKinsey, Inc. for five years before moving to the UK where she completed a PhD in Cognitive Psychology in 2012 at the University of Leicester. She then worked at Leicester University until 2017 when she moved back to Germany. Daniela is also a member of the Editorial Board at Sociological Research Online. |