Reasons to adopt Spatz & Kardas

Here are 15 reasons to adopt our book:

1. It brings a fresh approach to research methods texts emphasizing the empowering of students as budding researchers. Our approach treats students much like apprentice scientists working in collaboration with master scientist.
2. It offers a simpler framework toward understanding the nature of research. We divide science into three main categories: experimental, correlational, and meta-analytic. Experimental methods are broadly defined.
3. It shows the differences in theory construction in psychological theory and physical science. We use Mjöset’s classification of social science theories: law-oriented, ideal, critical, and constructivist (Ch. 1) to provide students with a sophisticated understanding of recent social science theorizing.
4. It provides a step-by-step framework for understanding research methodologies. We use two chapters (11 & 12) to walk students through the entire research process from getting an idea to writing the final report and presenting it.
5. It emphasizes the central nature of ethics in psychological research. We make ethics a topic that is totally interwoven into the fabric of research and cover ethics with an entire chapter (3) that spans a gamut of topics including the IRB, scientific misconduct, and Nuremberg Code.
6. Spatz & Kardas reproduce the entire Ethics Code of the American Psychological Association. We take students through Section 8 (Research and Publication) of APA’s Ethics Code using responsibility to participants, responsibility to psychology, and animal research as conceptual guides. Informed consent and other ethical topics are fully explained and a sample consent form is provided. APA’s entire Ethics Code is reproduced as Appendix B.
7. It covers non-experimental approaches to psychological research. Chapter 10 covers naturalistic and participant observation, qualitative research (interviews, focus groups, oral history, archival research), and small-N research (case studies, AB, and ABA designs).
8. It provides examples of research conducted by undergraduate students. We use examples of psychological research conducted by undergraduate students and published in undergraduate journals to inspire budding researchers.
9. It leads students through the process of research from start to finish. Chapters 11 and 12 gently lead students through the research process from selecting original research topics to publishing research in undergraduate journals.
10. It provides comprehensive coverage of data exploration and statistics. Chapter 5 emphasizes modern exploratory data analysis (descriptive and inferential) and graphs. Chapter 6 covers traditional NHST statistical tests. Effect size and meta-analysis are fully covered.
11. The Stop & Think feature used by Spatz & Kardas adds to the interactive feel of the text. The Stop & Think questions (immediately followed by answers) are interspersed throughout the text, helping students see the authors’ pedagogy as they read.
12. It places glossary items in the margins and as a separate section makes the text easier to use. All glossary items appear in the margins and in a separate glossary. Glossary items are bolded the first time they appear in the text.
13. Spatz & Kardas’ use In the Know boxes helps students see the bigger picture easily. The In the Know boxes succinctly explain “inside information” similar to what we would share with a student during a conversation.
14. We replicate our engaging classroom styles in our writing. The text reads easily, it's a conversation. Students are directly addressed and treated as engaged learners.
15. It introduces extraneous variables gradually and logically. Extraneous variables are introduced gradually over three chapters (7 to 9), as are methods for their control. Students more easily learn how to handle extraneous variables through design.