Product Description

`I strongly recommend this book. The all-important steps of defining the research question and choosing an appropriate method are clearly written by these experienced authors and by doing so provide a framework, which if followed, would avoid many of the common difficulties encountered by those in training. The book is a succinct, clear, and readable treatise on this extremely important area. It should prove to be invaluable to researchers, practicing social scientists, students and anyone involved in the design and reporting of experiments' - Social Psychological Review

How to Design and Report Experiments is the perfect textbook and guide to the often bewildering world of experimental design and statistics. It provides a complete map of the entire process beginning with how to get ideas about research, how to refine your research question and the actual design of the experiment, leading on to statistical procedure and assistance with writing up of results.

While many books look at the fundamentals of doing successful experiments and include good coverage of statistical techniques, this book very importantly considers the process in chronological order with specific attention given to effective design in the context of likely methods needed and expected results. Without full assessment of these aspects, the experience and results may not end up being as positive as one might have hoped. Ample coverage is then also provided of statistical data analysis, a hazardous journey in itself, and the reporting of findings, with numerous examples and helpful tips of common downfalls throughout.

Combining light humour, empathy with solid practical guidance to ensure a positive experience overall, Designing and Reporting Experiments will be essential reading for students in psychology and those in cognate disciplines with an experimental focus or content in research methods courses.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #54236 in Books
• Published on: 2003
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Customer Reviews

This book is a godsend
I came across this book the other day when I was in a bookshop wading through statistics textbooks, trying to find a decent explanation of a mixed ANOVA. This was the only work (out of at least 12) that used helpful examples and simple phrasing to explain this type of ANOVA in some detail, rather than just saying it's a mixture of other types of ANOVA. I was sufficiently impressed to buy the book and read through it. The authors have produced a lucid and straightforward explanation of experimental design and statistics for the uninitiated. The focus is on psychology reports, but the principles apply equally well to other fields. Some textbooks either explain the statistics in incomprehensible detail, or tell you which buttons to click on in SPSS but then leave you hanging. The authors of this book have struck a good balance, and one of their strengths is their very clear explanation of what these statistics really MEAN, and how to present them (including how to write up the report). Field and Hole have introduced humour to lighten a turgid subject. Others have tried this, and failed. Here the humour was sometimes amusing, and never irritating (which is something). One small criticism: I found Part 3 slightly repetitive, as it included a quick guide to writing up a lab report, as well as running through this point in greater detail. To sum up: I wish I had had a copy before I started writing up my dissertation (or preferably, before I designed my experiment!). This book will be a godsend to undergraduates and Masters' students. Andy Field and Graham Hole, I salute you.

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!!!
This book was a Godsend! Having just started in this subject and never having conducted an experiment before, I found this book invaluable. It takes you through everything step by step, even offering laughs along the way! Everything is explained fully yet made easy to understand. This has to be by far the best - and funniest - textbook I've ever owned!
I would definately reccommend anyone to buy this book, it is excellent.

Thanks God we have this book
Andy and Graham, from the bottom of my heart: THANK YOU!
If like me you're a student who hasn't got a clue about experiments buy this book! It's full of wicked imaginary experiments that illustrates the arguments. Very funny indeed!!!
Everything is made so easy to understand.
BUY IT!!!
Thank you so much!!

a Sussex graduate