Social Science Research Design and Statistics: A Practitioner's Guide to Research Methods and SPSS Analysis - Softcover

Rovai, Alfred P.; Baker, Jason D.; Ponton, Michael K.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0978718674 ISBN 13: 9780978718671

Publisher: Watertree Press, 2012

Synopsis

This book integrates social science research methods and the descriptions of 46 univariate, bivariate, and multivariate tests to include a description of the purpose, assumptions, example research question and hypothesis, SPSS procedure, and interpretation of SPSS output for each test. Included throughout the book are various sidebars highlighting key points, images and SPSS screenshots to assist understanding the material presented, self-test reviews at the end of each chapter, a decision tree to facilitate identification of the proper statistical test, examples of SPSS output with accompanying analysis and interpretations, links to relevant web sites, and a comprehensive glossary. Underpinning all these features is a concise, easy to understand explanation of the material.

About this title

From the Author:

Most people are aware of the high tuition costs that come with a college education. However, textbooks are also increasing in price. According to the Twenty Million Minds Foundation, the average amount that college students spend on textbooks has risen from about $900 to almost $1,300 per year in the past three years.

Two colleagues and I got an idea regarding a deeply discounted textbook when we were discussing Clayton Christensen's work on disruptive innovation at the university where I worked. Disruptive innovation is a term coined by Mr. Christensen that describes a process by which a product or service takes root initially in simple applications at the bottom of a market and then relentlessly moves upmarket, eventually displacing established competitors. At the meetings we were discussing models to reduce tuition expenses. However, we thought the concept could also be applied to textbooks, since they, like tuition, have become so expensive.

We decided to move forward with our concept. We wrote a textbook for courses on research design and statistics using SPSS (which we have taught in the past). The paperback version is 558 pages long with a $29.95 list price. It is a substantial book with an extraordinary low list price for a math textbook. E-book versions go for $9.99. This one book replaces two textbooks I use in my courses--one lists for $118.60 (on SPSS) and the other $154 (on statistics). The book we wrote covers the content of these two books and more. Replacing the two textbooks with our textbook will save students over $200 for a single course! If this is not a disruptive use of technology, I don't know what is. I hope this concept takes root.

Alfred P. Rovai
Chesapeake, Va.

About the Author:

Alfred P. (Fred) Rovai, a native of San Jose, California, received a BA degree (mathematics) from San Jose State University, an MA degree (public administration) from the University of Northern Colorado, and an MS degree (education) and PhD degree (academic leadership) from Old Dominion University. Following his retirement from the U.S. Army he served as a faculty member at Old Dominion University and then at Regent University where he retired as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. During his career in academe he authored or co-authored three books and more than 50 articles in scholarly journals. He presently writes, consults, and serves as an adjunct professor teaching research and statistics courses online. 

Jason D. Baker is a professor of education at Regent University where he serves as the distance education advisor in a blended EdD program. He earned his BS degree in electrical engineering from Bucknell University, MA degree in education from The George Washington University, and PhD in communication from Regent University. He has consulted with various organizations regarding educational technology and online learning. Previously he served as an educational consultant and senior systems engineer at Loyola College in Maryland and associate engineer at IBM Federal Systems Company. 

Michael K. Ponton holds an EdD degree in higher education administration and a MS degree in engineering from The George Washington University and a BS degree in physics from Old Dominion University. He serves as professor of education at Regent University, teaching primarily doctoral research courses. He has published extensively in the field of self-directed learning, where his research interests include adult learning, personal initiative, autonomous learning, and social cognitive theory. Before coming to Regent, he was associate professor of higher education at the University of Mississippi and an aerospace engineer for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

About this edition

• Publisher: Watertree Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0978718674
• ISBN 13: 9780978718671
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 558