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Preface | |
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Introduction | |
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The Research Process | |
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The Formulation of Theory | |
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The Operationalization of Theory | |
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The Selection of Appropriate Research Techniques | |
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The Observation of Behavior | |
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The Analysis of Data | |
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Interpretation of the Results | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Preparing To Do Research | |
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Theory Building: Concepts and Hypotheses in Political Research | |
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The Nature of Social Science Theory | |
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The Logic of Theory Building | |
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Components of Social Science Theory | |
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Relationships in Social Science Theory | |
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Theory Testing and Elaboration | |
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The Role of Hypotheses | |
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Formulating Hypotheses | |
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Conclusion | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Setting the Foundation: Techniques of Systematic Bibliographic Search | |
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Using the Existing Literature | |
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Developing a System | |
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Conducting the Search | |
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Political Science Journals | |
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Bibliographic Sources | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercise | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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From Abstract to Concrete: Operationalization and Measurement | |
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Operationalization: The Link Between Theory and Observation | |
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Operational Definitions | |
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Measurement | |
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Levels of Measurement | |
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Working Hypotheses | |
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Measurement Error: The Enemy | |
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Validity | |
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Reliability | |
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Conclusion | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Working From a Plan Considerations in Research Design | |
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Research Purpose and Research Design | |
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Coping with Alternative Rival Hypotheses Through Research Design | |
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Experimental Research Designs | |
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Assigning Cases to Groups | |
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Field Experiments and Nonexperimental Designs | |
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Quasi-Experimental Designs | |
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Creating a Research Design | |
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Factors That Threaten Validity | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Who, What, Where, When: The Problem of Sampling | |
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Defining a Representative Sample | |
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Procedures for Selecting a Representative Sample | |
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Variations on Random Sampling | |
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Determining Appropriate Sample Size | |
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Conclusion | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Quantitative Methods | |
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Survey Research | |
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Stages of the Survey Process | |
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Conceptualizing | |
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Survey Design | |
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Instrumentation | |
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Planning and Sampling | |
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Training and Briefing Personnel | |
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Pretesting | |
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Surveying | |
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Monitoring | |
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Verifying | |
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Secondary Analysis of Survey Data | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Scaling Techniques | |
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Scale Construction: Two Basic Concerns | |
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Likert Scaling | |
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Guttman Scaling | |
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Thurstone Scaling | |
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The Semantic Differential | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Content Analysis | |
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Preparing to Use Content Analysis | |
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Undertaking a Substantive Content Analysis | |
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Undertaking a Structural Content Analysis | |
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Special Problems in the Use of Content Analysis | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Sources and Applications of Aggregate Data | |
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Types of Aggregate Data | |
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Problems in the Use of Aggregate Data | |
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Sources of Aggregate Data | |
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Collecting Aggregate Data | |
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Conclusion | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Crossing Borders: The Practice of Comparative Research | |
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Finding Questions that "Travel" | |
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Using Equivalent Measures | |
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Choosing Cases to Study | |
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Finding Independent Observations | |
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Finding Data | |
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Conclusion | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Analyzing Quantitative Data | |
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Data Preparation and Data Processing | |
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Coding: What Do All Those Numbers Mean? | |
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The Codebook and the Coding Sheet | |
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Data Entry and Data Processing | |
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Conclusion | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Describing the Data: The Construction of Tables, Charts, and Diagrams | |
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The Enumerative Table | |
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The Line Diagram | |
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The Pie Diagram and the Bar Chart | |
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The Bilateral Bar Chart | |
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The Contingency Table | |
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Some Words of Caution | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Statistics I: Summarizing Distributions on One Variable | |
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Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion | |
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Measures for Nominal Variables | |
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Measures for Ordinal Variables | |
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Measures for Interval Variables | |
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Conclusion | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Statistics II: Examining Relationships Between Two Variables | |
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Measures of Association and Statistical Significance | |
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Measures of Association and Significance for Nominal Variables | |
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Measures of Association and Significance for Ordinal Variables | |
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Measures of Association and Significance for Interval Variables | |
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Conclusion | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Statistics III: Examining Relationships Among Several Variables | |
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Tabular Analysis | |
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Multiple Regression | |
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Interpreting Multiple Regression Results | |
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Path Analysis | |
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Conclusion | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Mathematical Modeling | |
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The Process of Modeling | |
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Why Model? | |
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Examples of Mathematical Models of Political Behavior | |
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Other Types of Models | |
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Problems with Modeling | |
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Conclusion | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Qualitative Methods | |
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Introduction to Qualitative Methods | |
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Comparing Qualitative and Quantitative Methods | |
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Irreconcilable Differences? | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Elite and Specialized Interviewing | |
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Elite Interviewing | |
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Techniques of Elite Interviewing | |
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Specialized Interviewing | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Direct Observation | |
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Scientific Method and Direct Observation | |
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Approaches to Direct Observation | |
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Techniques of Unstructured Observation | |
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Techniques of Structured Observation | |
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Sampling Procedures in Direct Observation | |
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Coping with Method Effects in Direct Observation | |
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The Ethics of Direct Observation | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Focus Group Methodologies | |
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Why Use Focus Groups? | |
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Limitations of Focus Groups | |
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When Are Focus Groups Useful? | |
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Planning and Conducting Focus Groups | |
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Analyzing Focus Group Results | |
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Reporting Focus Group Results | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Terms Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Conclusion | |
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Writing (or Reading) the Research Report | |
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The Plan | |
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The Structure | |
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The Style | |
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The Title and Abstract | |
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Conclusion | |
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A Case in Point | |
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Suggestions for Further Reading | |
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Research Exercises | |
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Term Introduced in This Chapter | |
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Overview | |
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Developing Hypotheses, Measures, and a Research Design | |
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Data Collection and Analysis | |
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A Checklist for Judging Research | |
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Conclusion | |
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Statistical Tables | |
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Ethical Considerations in Empirical Research | |
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Glossary | |
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Index | |