Research Design for the Behavioral Sciences

This textbook is centered on informing students enrolled in doctoral and advanced master's degree programs about (a) the foundations of behavioral science research, (b) the nuances and procedures associated with the major research traditions, (c) the philosophical integration that sits behind each research methodology, (d) instructions on how to increase the rigor of each approach to research, and (e) the integration of multicultural and social justice principles into scholarly pursuits. Each chapter that emphasizes a research tradition concludes with an applied case study that puts the tradition into action. Through providing clear and in-depth blueprints for how to use distinct research methodology and methods, the book provides both an in-depth and pragmatic understanding of the standards and procedures for specific research traditions. After reading this textbook, students will increase their research self-efficacy; enhance their ability to accurately match their research interests with the appropriate tradition; increase their understanding of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods standards of rigor; and build a foundation for an emerging research identity. This work offers chapters dedicated to topics and traditions that are often not included in behavioral science research-based textbooks. There are entire chapters that are dedicated to history and philosophy of social science research, various forms of content analysis designs, consensual qualitative research, and three chapters that review six separate mixed methods research traditions. The intended audience for this textbook is doctoral and advanced master's degree programs in the behavioral sciences. While the target audience of this book is doctoral level counselor education programs, it has a secondary audience of doctoral-level social work, psychology, and marriage and family therapy programs. A third audience includes master's level counseling, social work, psychology, and marriage and family therapy programs with a strong research emphasis.