LibGuides: Research Methods Information : Books

Selected Library of Congress Subject Headings

These Library of Congress subject headings will help you locate books relating to research methods.

NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list of search terms. Rather they are some suggestions. You should also think about other terms that will encompass topics relating to research methods.

Search for them using the SUBJECT field.

Criminology -- Research -- Methodology

Educational tests and measurements -- Design and construction -- Handbooks, manuals, etc.

Examinations -- Design and construction -- Handbooks, manuals, etc.

Humanities -- Research -- Methodology

Qualitative research

Qualitative research -- Methodology

Quantitative research

Quantitative research -- Methodology Questionnaires

Questionnaires -- Methodology

Social sciences -- Research -- Methodology

Selected Books on Tests and Measures

Multilevel Statistical Models by Harvey Goldstein
ISBN: 9780470748657
Publication Date: 2010-11-03
Throughout the social, medical and other sciences the importance of understanding complex hierarchical data structures is well understood. Multilevel modelling is now the accepted statistical technique for handling such data and is widely available in computer software packages. A thorough understanding of these techniques is therefore important for all those working in these areas. This new edition of Multilevel Statistical Models brings these techniques together, starting from basic ideas and illustrating how more complex models are derived. Bayesian methodology using MCMC has been extended along with new material on smoothing models, multivariate responses, missing data, latent normal transformations for discrete responses, structural equation modeling and survival models.
Uncommon Measures by Michael J. Feuer (Editor); Paul W. Holland (Editor); Bert F. Green (Editor); Meryl W. Bertenthal (Editor); F. Cadell Hemphill (Editor); Committee on Equivalency and Linkage of Educational Tests; National Research Council
ISBN: 9780309524988
Publication Date: 1998-12-14
President Clinton’s 1997 proposal to create voluntary national tests in reading and mathematics catapulted testing to the top of the national education agenda. The proposal turned up the volume on what had already been a contentious debate and drew intense scrutiny from a wide range of educators, parents, policy makers, and social scientists. Recognizing the important role science could play in sorting through the passionate and often heated exchanges in the testing debate, Congress and the Clinton administration asked the National Research Council, through its Board on Testing and Assessment (BOTA), to conduct three fast-track studies over a 10-month period.
Performance Metrics for Haptic Interfaces by Evren Samur
ISBN: 9781447142249
Publication Date: 2012-07-13
Haptics technology is being used more and more in different applications, such as in computer games for increased immersion, in surgical simulators to create a realistic environment for training of surgeons, in surgical robotics due to safety issues and in mobile phones to provide feedback from user action. The existence of these applications highlights a clear need to understand performance metrics for haptic interfaces and their implications on device design, use and application. Performance Metrics for Haptic Interfaces aims at meeting this need by establishing standard practices for the evaluation of haptic interfaces and by identifying significant performance metrics.

General Reference Books: Research Methods

Traditional Herbal Medicine Research Methods by Willow J. H. Liu (Editor); Hongjie Zhang
ISBN: 9780470149362
Publication Date: 2011-02-15
his book introduces the methodology for collection and identification of herbal materials, extraction and isolation of compounds from herbs, in vitro bioassay, in vivo animal test, toxicology, and clinical trials of herbal research. To fully understand and make the best use of herbal medicines requires the close combination of chemistry, biochemistry, biology, pharmacology, and clinical science. Although there are many books about traditional medicines research, they mostly focus on either chemical or pharmacological study results of certain plants. This book, however, covers the systematic study and analysis of herbal medicines in general - including chemical isolation and identification, bioassay and mechanism study, pharmacological experiment, and quality control of the raw plant material and end products.
Qualitative Research Methods in Mental Health and Psychotherapy by David Harper (Editor); Andrew R. Thompson (Editor)
ISBN: 9780470663738
Publication Date: 2011-07-25
This book provides a user-friendly introduction to the qualitative methods most commonly used in the mental health and psychotherapy arena.

Chapters are written by leading researchers and the editors are experienced qualitative researchers, clinical trainers, and mental health practitioners
Provides chapter-by-chapter guidance on conducting a qualitative study from across a range of approaches
Offers guidance on how to review and appraise existing qualitative literature, how to choose the most appropriate method, and how to consider ethical issues
Demonstrates how specific methods have been applied to questions in mental health research
Uses examples drawn from recent research, including research with service users, in mental health practice and in psychotherapy
Mixed Methods Research for Nursing and the Health Sciences by Sharon Andrew; Elizabeth J. Halcomb
ISBN: 9781405167772
Publication Date: 2009-01-20
Mixed methods research combines quantitative and qualitative research methods in a single study. The use of mixed methods research is increasingly popular in nursing and health sciences research. This growth in popularity has been driven by the increasing complexity of research problems relating to human health and wellbeing.

Mixed Method Research for Nursing and the Health Sciences is an accessible, practical guide to the design, conduct and reporting of mixed method research in nursing or the health sciences. Each chapter stands alone, describing the various steps of the research process, but contains links to other chapters. Within the text, 'real-life' examples from the published literature, doctoral theses and the unpublished work of the authors, illustrate the concepts being discussed.

Places mixed methods research within its contemporary context

Includes international contributions from UK, Australia, NZ and USA
Addiction Research Methods by John Strang (Editor); Peter G. Miller (Editor); Peter M. Miller (Editor)
ISBN: 9781405176637
Publication Date: 2010-04-26
ddiction Research Methods' is a comprehensive handbook for health professionals, policy-makers and researchers working and training in the field of addiction.

The book provides a clear, comprehensive and practical guide to research design, methods and analysis within the context of the field of alcohol and other drugs. The reader is introduced to fundamental principles and key issues; and is orientated to available sources of information and key literature.

Written by a team of internationally acclaimed contributors, the book is divided into six major sections: Introduction; Research Design; Basic Toolbox; Biological Models; Specialist Methods; and Analytical Methods. Each chapter offers an introduction to the background and development of the discipline in question, its key features and applications, how it compares to other methods/analyses and its advantages and limitations.
Bootstrap Methods by Michael R. Chernick
ISBN: 9780471756217
Publication Date: 2007-11-12
A practical and accessible introduction to the bootstrap method--newly revised and updated

Over the past decade, the application of bootstrap methods to new areas of study has expanded, resulting in theoretical and applied advances across various fields. Bootstrap Methods, Second Edition is a highly approachable guide to the multidisciplinary, real-world uses of bootstrapping and is ideal for readers who have a professional interest in its methods, but are without an advanced background in mathematics.

Updated to reflect current techniques and the most up-to-date work on the topic, the Second Edition features:

The addition of a second, extended bibliography devoted solely to publications from 1999-2007, which is a valuable collection of references on the latest research in the field

A discussion of the new areas of applicability for bootstrap methods, including use in the pharmaceutical industry for estimating individual and population bioequivalence in clinical

OPEN ACCESS: Research Methods Books

e-Source: Behavioral and Social Sciences Research
20 interactive chapters with authoritative answers to methodological questions on behavioral and social science research. With contributions from a team of international experts, this anthology provides the latest information on addressing emerging challenges in public health. Published by the Office of Behavioral & Social Sciences Research, National Institutes of Health (USA)

Social Research Methods | Concept Mapping
A resource guide for learning about structured conceptual mapping. It includes links to general introductory materials, research and case studies illustrating the use of the method, and information about software.
Social Research Methods | The Knowledge Base
An online hypertext textbook on applied social research methods that covers everything you want to know about defining a research question, sampling, measurement, research design and data analysis.
Social Research Methods | The Simulation Book
A previously unpublished book of manual (i.e., dice-rolling) and computer simulation exercises of common research designs, for students and researchers to learn how to do simple simulations.

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Selected Books on Test/Questionnaire/Instrument Development

Methods for Testing and Evaluating Survey Questionnaires by Stanley Presser; Mick P. Couper; Judith T. Lessler; Elizabeth Martin; Jean Martin; Jennifer M. Rothgeb; Eleanor Singer
ISBN: 9780471458418
Publication Date: 2004-06-23
The definitive resource for survey questionnaire testing and evaluation

Over the past two decades, methods for the development, evaluation, and testing of survey questionnaires have undergone radical change. Research has now begun to identify the strengths and weaknesses of various testing and evaluation methods, as well as to estimate the methods' reliability and validity. Expanding and adding to the research presented at the International Conference on Questionnaire Development, Evaluation and Testing Methods, this title presents the most up-to-date knowledge in this burgeoning field.
Design and Development of Medical Electronic Instrumentation by David Prutchi; Michael Norris
ISBN: 9780471676232
Publication Date: 2004-11-22
Design and Development of Medical Electronic Instrumentation fills a gap in the existing medical electronic devices literature by providing background and examples of how medical instrumentation is actually designed and tested. The book includes practical examples and projects, including working schematics, ranging in difficulty from simple biopotential amplifiers to computer-controlled defibrillators. Covering every stage of the development process, the book provides complete coverage of the practical aspects of amplifying, processing, simulating and evoking biopotentials. In addition, two chapters address the issue of safety in the development of electronic medical devices, and providing valuable insider advice.
Strategic Environment Assessment for Policies by Kulsum Ahmed; Ernesto Sánchez Triana
ISBN: 9780821367636
Publication Date: 2008-04-30
Kulsum Ahmed is lead environmental specialist at the World Bank and team leader for the Environmental Institutions and Governance program (which includes, among other activities, the SEA program) and Environmental-Health program in the Environment Department. She has considerable experience as an operations task manager and led the team that prepared the Bank’s first structural adjustment loan to integrate environmental considerations in key sectors of a country’s economy. She is the World Bank’s representative on the OECD Development Assistance Committee’s task team on strategic environmental assessment. Ms. Ahmed has authored numerous publications on energy, the environment, health, strategic assessment, and industrial pollution. She holds a Ph.D. from Imperial College, London, and a natural sciences degree from Cambridge University.
Developing Tests and Questionnaires for a National Assessment of Educational Achievement by Prue Anderson; George Morgan
ISBN: 9780821374986
Publication Date: 2008-05-01