Practical Research: Planning and Design

This is a comprehensive and practical guide to research methodology. Practical Research: Planning and Design is presented in five parts. Part One, The Fundamentals, includes the basics; what research is and what it is not, how research is used, the general tools for research and how to use them. Part Two, Focusing Your Research Efforts, details how to identify the problem before starting the research project, the sources that are available and how to apply them, developing a plan for the research and preparing a research proposal. Part Three, Qualitative Research Methodologies, outlines the guidelines for conducting a qualitative research including interviews, and preparing a historical research using written and computer records. Part Four, Quantitative Research Methodologies, provides a practical application for descriptive research including the development and use of the questionnaire, the various types of designs and their application, and the statistical techniques for analyzing quantitative data. Part Five, Preparing the Research Report, explores the technical details needed to develop the style, format, and organization of any research report, initializing, planning, organizing, presentation, graphics, and preparing the report with a checklist for a critique of the report. Practical Research is not a large book, yet it is very thorough and to the point. Leedy and Ormond wrote Practical Research: Planning and Design in simple language with practical examples throughout. An advantage for the reader is quality of information for brevity. It makes the subject matter very accessible to the average reader. It contains many helpful hints and checklists to make the learning process easier. It directs you to a companion website that contains practice tests that can be used to gauge what has been learned. It includes the useful tools for research, identifies how to choose a problem, provides reference on how to identify and review-related literature, and includes statistical techniques for looking at the accumulated data. Chapter Six looks at the common reasons for project bids to be rejected. Throughout the entire book practical advice is provided about how to overcome various problems as well as alternate sources of advice and information. It provides the means to obtain and maintain a global perspective on any subject that you wish to research.

Excellent choice for a short (6-week) graduate research and report writing course. Extremely well written: doesn't put me to sleep immediately and succinctly conveys concepts. Extensive bibliography at the end of each chapter.Only two observed drawbacks: price and physical size. While I know that (almost) all students think that their textbooks are overpriced, I don't quite understand how a new 8.5 x 11 inch paperback text, running 324 pages, with few line-art illustrations and no photographs or images, and 2 color text should be priced in the $80 range?The size, 8.5 x 11 inches, as a paperback makes the book awkward for reading in an easy chair or when in bed.

To be honest we did not even use this book - I read it and it was helpful - but had I known what I know now - I would have not wasted the money … make sure if you are required to have it - you use it

The information in this book (8th edition) is a bit outdated. It was recommended to me by my dissertation chair. It covers a lot of ground, but some of the chapters are not developed in sufficient detail. If there were a newer edition of the book on the market, I would buy it. The writers write in a clear, engaging way.

I bought it because it's the text book for a class I'm taking in counseling. I was suprised because it was in excelent conditions for being a used book. Also ity arrived on time before the class started. This is the first time I buy through internet and it was a good experience. I recommend buying to Amazon. They sent me the tracking number so I could know where was the book through all the process.

A great book for a graduate student like me. It helps you how to pick a topic, have some questions concerning a topic, and make them into a research that is in your words. It is an excellent book for a beginning researcher, guiding him or her step by step, through the entire research process with practical suggestions. It is a great book if you want to have a quality research in any discipline. Good luck.

I needed to purchase the 10th Edition of this book, but I chose the 8th because of price. It has been just fine. Book was in good shape with no problems. Thanks.

Awesome Product, Great Deal