Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods - Balnaves, Mark

Résumé :
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 and in multimedia courseware 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 multimedia courseware provides tutorial work on sampling, basic statistics, and techniques for seeking information from databases and other sources. The statistics modules can be used as either part of a detective games or directly in teaching and learning. Brief video lessons in SPSS, using real datasets, are also a feature of the CD-ROM.

Why would you choose Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods

- It is theoretical, providing a concise overview of issues of quantitative research.

- It is practical, providing case studies that exemplify the different ways of research is conducted in the social sciences (ranging from psychology to sociology, politics and media).

- It is educational, providing practical vignettes, and chapter highlights for revision.

- It is integrative, producing a typology of different ways of conducting quantitative research methods.

- It is international, providing case studies from a range of countries.

- It is innovative, providing multimedia tutorials on generic research and statistical skills.

- It is clear, concise and accessible.

Biographie:
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 Australi?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 Telstr?s Bigpond.? The studies also contributed to the established of ACTEW?s TransACT, Canberr?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.

Sommaire:
Order at All Points
Counting and Accounting
Starting the Inquiry
`But What Happened Then??
Defining the Inquiry
`Then How Do You Know??
Methods of Inquiry
`It Is a Capital Mistake to Theorize before One Has Data!?
`Data! Data! Data!?
Analyzing Data from the Inquiry
Finding Answers from the Inquiry
`Elementary, My Dear Watson!?
Summarizing and Presenting Results
`Quite So!?