This book walks you through learning probability and statistics from a Bayesian point of view. From an introduction to probability theory through to frameworks for doing rigorous calculations of probability, it discusses Bayes' Theorem before illustrating how to use it in a variety of different situations with data addressing social and psychological issues. The book also: Equips you with coding skills in the statistical modelling language Stan and programming language R. Discusses how Bayesian approaches to statistics compare to classical approaches. Introduces Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods for doing Bayesian statistics through computer simulations, so you understand how Bayesian solutions are implemented. Features include an introduction to each chapter and a chapter summary to help you check your learning. All the examples and data used in the book are also available in the online resources so you can practice at your own pace. For readers with some understanding of basic mathematical functions and notation, this book will get you up and running so you can do Bayesian statistics with confidence.

Large surveys are becoming increasingly available for public use, and researchers are often faced with the need to analyse complex survey data to address key scientific issues. For proper analysis it is also important to be aware of the different aspects of the design of complex surveys. Practical Methods for Design and Analysis of Complex Surveys features intermediate and advanced statistical techniques for use in designing and analysing complex surveys. This extensively updated edition features much new material, and detailed practical exercises with links to a Web site, helping instructors and enabling use for distance learning.
* Provides a comprehensive introduction to sampling and estimation in descriptive surveys, including design effect statistic and use of auxiliary data.
* Includes detailed coverage of complex survey analysis, including design-based ANOVA and logistic regression with GEE estimation.
* Contains much new material, including handling of non-sampling errors, and model-assisted estimation for domains.
* Features detailed real-li fe case studies, such as multilevel modeling in a multinational educational survey.
* Supported by a Web site containing software codes, real data sets, computerized exercises with solutions, and online training materials.

Practical Methods for Design and Analysis of Complex Surveys provides a useful practical resource for researchers and practitioners working in the planning, implementation or analysis of complex surveys and opinion polls, including business, educational, health, social, and socio-economic surveys and official statistics. In addition, the book is well suited for use on intermediate and advanced courses in survey sampling.

International Perspectives on Theorizing Aspirations offers new insights and guidance for those looking to use Bourdieu's tools in an educational context, with a focus on how the tools can be applied to issues of aspiration. Written by contributors from the UK, USA, Australia, Nigeria, Jamaica and Spain, the book explores how Bourdieu's tools have been applied in recent cutting-edge educational research on a range of topics, including widening participation, migration, ethnicity, and class. The contributors consider how aspirations are theorized in sociology, as well as exploring the structure/agency debates, before recapitulating Bourdieu's tools and their applicability in educational contexts. A key question running through the chapters is: how does social theory shape research? Including recommended readings, this is essential reading for anyone looking to use Bourdieu in their research and for those studying aspiration in an educational research setting.

There is increasing pressure on academics and graduate students to publish in peer reviewed journals, but many students and researchers who are new to quantitative methods struggle to write up statistics in reports, theses and journal articles. This book is an accessible reference text aimed at helping people write about quantitative research in applied linguistics, focusing mainly on writing for journals. Different types of statistical analysis are explained in detail along with annotated examples drawn from published and unpublished sources. The book offers advice on academic writing, how and where to get research published, and recommends additional resources helpful for both students and seasoned researchers.

In the revised and updated second edition of The Tone of Teaching, bestselling author Max van Manen defines sound pedagogy as the ability to distinguish effectively between what is appropriate, and what is less appropriate in our communications and dealings with children and young people as parents and educators. The author: -Shows how tactful educators develop a caring attentiveness to the unique; to the uniqueness of children, and to the uniqueness of their individual lives-Describes how this "tone" of teaching can be sustained by the cultivation of a certain kind of seeing, listening, and responding to each child in each particular situation-Offers practical insights for both educators and parents

This edited two-volume collection presents the most interesting and compelling articles pertaining to the formulation of research methods used to study information systems from the 30 year publication history of the Journal of Information Technology (JIT).

Featuring in-depth coverage of categorical and nonparametric statistics, this book provides a conceptual framework for choosing the most appropriate type of test in various research scenarios. Class tested at the University of Nevada, the book's clear explanations of the underlying assumptions, computer simulations, and Exploring the Concept boxes help reduce reader anxiety. Problems inspired by actual studies provide meaningful illustrations of the techniques. The underlying assumptions of each test and the factors that impact validity and statistical power are reviewed so readers can explain their assumptions and how tests work in future publications. Numerous examples from psychology, education, and other social sciences demonstrate varied applications of the material. Basic statistics and probability are reviewed for those who need a refresher.Mathematical derivations are placed in optional appendices for those interested in this detailed coverage. Highlights include: Unique coverage of categorical and nonparametric statistics better prepares readers to select the best technique for their particular research project but some chapters can be omitted entirely if preferred.Step by step examples of each test help readers see how the material is applied in a variety of disciplines. Although the book can be used with any program, examples of how to use the tests in SPSS & EXCEL foster conceptual understanding. Exploring the concept boxes integrated throughout prompt students to review key material and draw links between the concepts to deepen understanding. Problems in each chapter help readers test their understanding of the material. Emphasizes selecting tests that maximize power to help readers avoid marginally significant results. Website featuring datasets for the book's examples and problems, and for the instructor Power Points, author's course syllabus, and answers to the even numbered problems. Chapters 1-3 cover basic concepts in probability, especially the binomial formula followed by two chapters that address the analysis of contingency tables. Chapters 6-8 address nonparametric tests involving at least one ordinal variable, including testing for nonparametric interaction effects, a topic omitted from other texts. The book then turns to situations that involve one metric variable.Chapter 9 reviews concepts that are foundational to CDA, including linear regression and generalized linear models. Chapters 10-11 cover logistic, ordinal, and Poisson regression. Chapters 12 and 13 review loglinear models and the General Estimating Equations (GEE) methodology for measuring outcomes from multiple time points. For a deeper understanding of how various CDA techniques work, chapter 14 covers estimation methods, such as Newton-Raphson and Fisher scoring. The book concludes with a summary of factors that need to be considered when choosing the best statistical technique. Intended for individual or combined graduate or advanced undergraduate courses in categorical and nonparametric data analysis, cross-classified data analysis, advanced statistics and/or quantitative techniques taught in psychology, education, human development, sociology, political science, and other social and life sciences, the book also appeals to researchers in these disciplines. The nonparametric chapters can be deleted if preferred. Prerequisites include knowledge of t-tests and ANOVA.

This book emphasizes that artificial or pseudo-populations play an important role in statistical surveys from finite universes in two manners: firstly, the concept of pseudo-populations may substantially improve users' understanding of various aspects in the sampling theory and survey methodology; an example of this scenario is the Horvitz-Thompson estimator. Secondly, statistical procedures exist in which pseudo-populations actually have to be generated. An example of such a scenario can be found in simulation studies in the field of survey sampling, where close-to-reality pseudo-populations are generated from known sample and population data to form the basis for the simulation process. The chapters focus on estimation methods, sampling techniques, nonresponse, questioning designs and statistical disclosure control. This book is a valuable reference in understanding the importance of the pseudo-population concept and applying it in teaching and research.

This edited two-volume collection presents the most interesting and compelling articles pertaining to the formulation of research methods used to study information systems from the 30-year publication history of the Journal of Information Technology .

The nature and purpose of legal education has become a topic of intense debate in recent years. This timely book calls for a critical re-evaluation of university legal education, with the particular aim of strengthening its academic nature. The contributors emphasise lecturers' responsibility to challenge the assumptions students have about law, and the importance of putting law in a theoretical and social context that allows for critical reflection and sceptical detachment. In addition, the book reports upon teaching experiences and innovations, offering tools for teachers to strengthen the academic nature of legal education, and concludes with concrete proposals for change. Students and scholars engaged in the debate regarding the re-evaluation of academic legal education will find this book invaluable to their work. It will also be of interest to practitioners, such as educational experts and administrators looking to understand the role of law schools in creating responsible citizens. Contributors include: T. Bleeker, A. Boening, L. Corrias, U. de Vries, M. Del Mar, L. Francot, S. Germain, T. Hutchinson, B. Oomen, C. Schwoebel-Patel, B. Sokhi-Bulley, G. Uygur, B. van Klink, W. van Rossum

How can an organisation, public or private, ensure that it always operates in top form and, at the very least, meets the objectives for which it was established? The answer lies in the availability of factually correct, dependable and appropriate data. Obtaining such data is what this publication is about.

Introduction To Research offers a step-by-step approach to the fundamentals of research. Introduction To Research guides the novice researcher through the research process, including how to choose the appropriate research methodology and how to adhere to the standards for conducting ethical research. It provides a synopsis of the entire research process, including the formulation of a research proposal.

Introduction To Research is aimed at all students and researchers, across a variety of disciplines.

To maximise the value of your research, you need to communicate it to others. There are many ways to do so: examples include applications and bids, conference presentations, gray literature, journal papers, media (old and new), public talks, and teaching. This book provides fresh, creative, ways of making the most of these and other opportunities. It provides 53 practical suggestions, each based on ideas tried and tested by the contributors. Key terms:communication; impact; presenting; publication; public engagement; research; social media; writing.

There is no singular 'best' method of research. The differing nature of various research endeavors warrant multiple ways of generating knowledge, sharing knowledge, and more importantly, avoiding errors. More recently, the dichotomy between quantitative and qualitative approaches has begun to dissolve as the integrated approach of mixed methods gains popularity. Scholarly Publishing and Research Methods Across Disciplines is a collection of innovative findings on the methods and applications of research in scholarly publishing, ranging from the analyzation of mixed methods and qualitative/quantitative research, to Dewey's scientific method and more. Highlighting a range of topics including higher education, digital divide, and model development, this publication applies a cross-disciplinary viewpoint that will appeal to researchers, graduate students, academicians, librarians, scholars, and industry-leading experts around the globe seeking an understanding of the limitations and strengths in research techniques.

Biographical data provide unique insights into social life, but they also pose some significant challenges for social science researchers. This book offers a systematic, flexible guide to using biographical narrative methods in your research project. Drawing upon the authors' own research, as well as case studies from a range of international contexts and disciplines, the book illustrates how biographical approaches can be tailored to different research questions and environments. This book will help you to: * Navigate any complexities or missteps when undertaking real-world research * Apply your analytical and research tools to your research question * Choose the right research design for your project, whether single or mixed methods * Ground your understanding within diverse real-world research examples. Clear, adaptable, and applied, this is your definitive guide to working with biographical methods.

Violent behavior has become deeply integrated into modern society and it is an unavoidable aspect of human nature. Examining peacemaking strategies through a critical and academic perspective can assist in resolving violence in societies around the world. The Handbook of Research on Examining Global Peacemaking in the Digital Age is a pivotal reference source for the latest research findings on the utilization of peacemaking in media, leadership, and religion. Featuring extensive coverage on relevant areas such as human rights, spirituality, and the Summer of Peace, this publication is an ideal resource for policymakers, universities and colleges, graduate-level students, and organizations seeking current research on the application of conflict resolution and international negotiation.

The primary objective of this book is to study some of the research topics in the area of analysis of complex surveys which have not been covered in any book yet. It discusses the analysis of categorical data using three models: a full model, a log-linear model and a logistic regression model. It is a valuable resource for survey statisticians and practitioners in the field of sociology, biology, economics, psychology and other areas who have to use these procedures in their day-to-day work. It is also useful for courses on sampling and complex surveys at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. The importance of sample surveys today cannot be overstated. From voters' behaviour to fields such as industry, agriculture, economics, sociology, psychology, investigators generally resort to survey sampling to obtain an assessment of the behaviour of the population they are interested in. Many large-scale sample surveys collect data using complex survey designs like multistage stratified cluster designs. The observations using these complex designs are not independently and identically distributed - an assumption on which the classical procedures of inference are based. This means that if classical tests are used for the analysis of such data, the inferences obtained will be inconsistent and often invalid. For this reason, many modified test procedures have been developed for this purpose over the last few decades.

The current movement toward more and better research experiences for undergraduates has spread across disciplines in the arts, humanities, science, mathematics, and engineering beyond the "research university" to the full range of post-secondary institutions of higher education. Along with this spread of practice is the need to take stock of the programs and make use of evaluation to inform program improvement and to communicate an understanding of the worth of the program to funders, institutional administrators, faculty/mentors, and students. The main aim of the book is to provide a practical guide for planning an evaluation of an undergraduate experience program. The intent is to enable a program director to plan with a team consisting of an internal evaluator and program staff, a systematic and rigorous study of the program (processes, products, organizational dynamics, etc.) including the gathering and analysis of information that is context-sensitive, and connected to an argument and justification for descriptive, causal, and practice-useful claims. It is useful for a program director to contract with an evaluator. It is specific to the field of undergraduate research experience while being useful for other fields. It places strong emphasis on how to find and specify evaluation questions that yield information that has high leverage for program improvement and demonstrating the effectiveness and worth of the program. A measure of attitude toward evaluation allows you to reflect on your leanings evaluation orientations such as formative/summative, process/product, preordinate goals/emergent goals, and other characteristics of approaches to and confidence in evaluation. The main readership is targeted to directors and developers of undergraduate research experience programs. While the examples are mainly in the undergraduate research experience, it will be found useful for instructors of courses in project evaluation and beginning level evaluators. The usefulness of the book is enhanced by a checklist in the final chapter that integrates the approaches from throughout the book referencing the earlier discussions.

This book offers insights into key research-based strategies that can help to alleviate global challenges faced by both individuals and groups in society. Focusing on conducting qualitative research, the chapters highlight an approach for understanding human thoughts and actions, and examining how things actually function in society. Explaining both the theoretical and practical aspects of doing qualitative research, the book uses examples from real-world research projects to emphasise how to conduct qualitative research in the social sciences. Pranee Liamputtong draws together contributions covering qualitative research in cultural and medical anthropology, sociology, gender studies, political science, criminology, demography, economic sciences, social work, and education. Each chapter discusses the essence of a discipline before examining the contribution of qualitative enquiry and then interrogating traditional qualitative research methods as well as emerging or innovative methods. This will be an invigorating read for students and scholars of the social sciences. Its combination of theoretical and practical insights will also be essential for qualitative researchers.

Research that has been presented primarily by quantitative research can benefit from the voice of the participants and the added value of the different perspective that qualitative research can provide. The purpose of mixed methods research is to draw from the positive aspects of both research paradigms to better answer the research question. This type of research is often used in schools, businesses, and non-profit organizations as they strive to address and resolve questions that will impact their organizations. Applied Social Science Approaches to Mixed Methods Research: Emerging Research and Opportunities is an academic research publication that examines more traditional and common research methods and how they can be complimented through qualitative counterparts. The content within this publication covers an array of topics such as entrepreneurship, social media, and marginalization. It is essential for researchers, academicians, non-profit professionals, business professionals, and higher education faculty, and specifically targets master or doctoral students committed to writing their theses, dissertations, or scholarly articles, who may not have had the benefit of working on a traditional research team.

The last 15 years has seen an explosion of studies that use cognitive science to understand theatre, whilst at the same time theatre-makers are using their artistic practice to address research question. This book looks at the current discourse around these emerging fields.

Research Without Tears provides a concise and fascinating guide for those starting their first research project and writing a paper, report or thesis. John Creedy, a widely published writer himself in both journals and books, argues that the process of planning and executing a research project, and producing a research paper which communicates results in a clear and succinct way, is far from self-evident even to those with extensive experience of writing other types of report or essay. This unique and invaluable book therefore sets down explicitly some of those points that even experienced researchers often take for granted. The book covers topics including: planning a first research project; writing a first research paper; writing a thesis and the relationship with a supervisor; the differences between journal and book publishing and what to expect from editors of both publishing formats. It also offers invaluable advice on structure, writing clearly and pitfalls to avoid as well as the processes involved in publishing. This highly interesting and valuable book will be essential reading for students and academics in economics and other related disciplines.