Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods: An Investigative Approach

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SAGE, 2001 M04 10 - 272 pages
Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods is a student-friendly introduction to quantitative research methods and basic statistics. It uses a detective theme throughout the text to show how quantitative methods have been used to solve real-life problems. The book focuses on principles and techniques that are appropriate to introductory level courses in media, psychology and sociology. Examples and illustrations are drawn from historical and contemporary research in the social sciences.

The original CD-ROM accompanying the book and its content are no longer available.

 

Contents

Acknowledgements
But what happened then?
Knowing Whom to Research
Research design
Then how do you know?
Tools of Measurement
Collecting Data Across Cultures Can we measure
Summary
Using SPSS and Excel to Describe Data
Summary
Elementary my dear Watson
Correlation and Regression
Looking at Categorical Data
From Samples to Populations
OneSample Tests
TwoSample Tests

It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data
Validity
Summary
Analysing data from the inquiry
graphical and tabular form
Accounting for Tastes dataset
Describing Data
Introduction to Randomization Tests
Are Social Factors More Important than Individual Inclinations? Durkheims study on suicide
Main Points
References
Sample Letter for Informed Consent
Index
Copyright

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About the author (2001)

Mark Balnaves is Professor and Senior Research Fellow in New Media at Curtin University. He is located with the Department of Internet Studies within the School of Media, Culture and Creative Arts. His Fellowship focuses on the role of new media, especially social networking tools, in enhancing the link between citizens and governments. Professor Balnaves conducted for Telstra Multimedia Australia’s first major adoption and diffusion study of broadband possibilities in Gungahlin, ACT (at a time when the phrases ′narrowband′ and ′broadband′ were not in the popular lexicon). This study contributed to the formation of Telstra’s Bigpond. The studies also contributed to the established of ACTEW’s TransACT, Canberra’s broadband provider. His current work at Curtin University is on e-governance and the role of new media in enhancing the link between citizens and government. His publications are in audience research, theories of media and the role of the Internet in the public sphere.

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