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[A Ph.D. Student]

Hello, I am looking for some sound advice on books, websites, etc. that have very solid information on quantitative methods.  I am just completing my first year of doctoral studies, and as I start putting some thought into what I want my research topic to be for the dissertation, I want to begin collecting resources that discuss how to construct a strong research design.  

Now, I should mention that I am (for the most part) a quantitative phobe (but passed the required quantitative core with a good grade), but know the basics, but I want to get over my fear and learn more.  Also, if possible, I want a book that really lays out how to do quantitative research step by step in a logical fashion.  I have the Kerlinger book, but don't really care for it.  Similarly, I have found that the Internet has been very useful.  There are several sites that have been most helpful to me in the past.  But I may not know about all of the ones that exist.  Additionally, I like qualitative research, but my field (mass communication) has been somewhat slow to accept qualitative methodology.


Second, are there any good books out there that discuss using mixed methods (as I think this will end of being the type of methodology that I utimlately use)?  

Thank You!

[%sig%]

[clarify?]

What do you mean by mixed methods? Your question sounds like you're referring only to quant methods.

[A Ph.D. Student]

Sorry for any confusion.  I actually had two inquiries.  One that had to do with soliciting recommendations for quantiative resources, and the other question was geared towards resources that are considered by responders to be good on discussing mixed methods.

Hope this helps and thanks again!

[%sig%]

[Anon]

These two are sources on mixed methods:

Thomas, R.M. (2003).  Blending qualitative and quantitative research methods in theses and dissertations. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Johnson, R. B., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2004). Mixed method research: A research paradigm whose time has come. Educational Researcher, 33(7), 14-26.

The following are useful introductions to reseach design and quantitative methods. The first two are considered classics.


Campbell, D.T., & Stanley, J.C. (1963). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for research. A classic from AERA (American Ed. Research Association), long considered THE reference on research design. Available from Amazon, new and used.

Kerlinger & Lee, Foundations of behavioral research (4th ed.). A powerful classic on research design and statistical methods in research. An absolute CLASSIC. Available from Amazon, new and used.


Fraenkel, J.R., & Wallen, N. E. How to design and evaluate research in education (6th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill. (ISBN: 0-07-248560-4) (Book comes with CD and Workbook) Readable and very useful.

[case insensitive]

your are a student. this forum is for faculty only. go ask your fellow classmates.

[grad anon]

Although not so much mixed methods - this first one covers both quant & qual methods in proposal writing.   I came out of a mostly quant background and ended up doing a qual dissertation.  I found this book helpful.

Proposals That Work : A Guide for Planning Dissertations and Grant Proposals (Paperback)
by Lawrence F., Ph.D. Locke, Waneen W. (Wyrick) Spirduso, Stephen J., Ed.D. Silverman

Also just a basic quant reference that I like is:

Intuitive Biostatistics (Paperback)
by Harvey Motulsky

[case insensitive]

Obviously, that post wasn't me. And prior posters have given good suggestions for reading (brings back old memories of doctoral studies!).

c i

[A Ph.D. Student]

Thanks for the all the (positive) responses thus far, I am putting together a reference list.  I don't want people to think I don't have enough sense to look for these things on my own.  It's just that sometimes, others in the same field/profession can be great resources.  To the person posing as another regular, I do feel like I can ask a question here (as I have before regarding ethnographic methods), even if I am a student.

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[Monkfish]

To add a resource or two: Alan Bryman's "Social Research Methods" (OUP--forgot the date) may be too simple but is good on mixing qualitative and quantitative. Russ Bernard's massive "Handbook of Methods in Cultural Anthropology" is not anthropology specific and includes good chapters on all kinds of methods from both camps and in between.

[Anon21]

If you're in education, most anything by Trudy Banta should help.

[Mixed Methods]

Tashakkori, A. and Teddlie, C. (1998) Mixed Methodology: Combining Qualitative and Qualitative Approaches.   Sage.

Tashakkori, A. and Teddlie, C. (2002) (eds) Handbook of mixed methods.  Sage.

Todd, Z., Nerlich, B., McKeown, S. and Clarke, D.D. (2004) (Eds) Mixing Methods in Psychology: The Integration of Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Theory and Practice.  Psychology Press.

[Elise]

Since you're in mass comm, you might want to get to know:

Stempel, G. H. & Westley, B. H. Research Methods in Mass Communication

Riffe, D., Lacy, S., & Fico, F. G. Analyzing Media Messages: Using Quantitative Content Analysis in Research

Iorio, S. H. Qualitative Research in Journalism:: Taking It to the Streets

[%sig%]

[ssanon]

Shadish, Cook and Campbell have published at least two updated editions of Campbell and Stanley (1963).

[%sig%]