Introducing Quantitative Methods: A Practical Guide - Paperback

by Daniela Aidley (Author)

This exciting new core textbook offers a clear and practical introduction to quantitative methods, taking a project-based approach. The author's extensive knowledge and straightforward writing style ensure that students are steered through the process step-by-step, from developing research questions and preparing data for analysis, to explaining how to present data in appropriate formats, avoid bias, and write up results and reports. Featuring a comprehensive pedagogical framework and companion website, readers are encouraged to follow practice analyses as they go, with examples given in both SPSS and Excel, and templates are provided for students' own research. In addition to covering the research project, chapters also cover the essential mathematical and statistical analyses that are a logical consequence of posing a quantitative research methods question.

This is the perfect text for all social science students studying introductory modules on quantitative methods, research methods or statistics at undergraduate or postgraduate level. It also functions as an effective guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students faced with an independent research project.

Back Jacket

This refreshing new textbook offers a clear and approachable introduction to quantitative methods, using a project-based approach while presenting examples in both SPSS and Excel. The author's extensive knowledge and succinct writing style guide you through the process of undertaking a quantitative research project step by step, from developing good research questions and preparing data for analysis to explaining how to present data in different situations, avoid bias, and write up results and reports. Showcasing a wide range of helpful learning features as well as a companion website, you are encouraged to follow practice analyses as you go. The book also offers a chapter dedicated to basic mathematics that will equip you with the skills required to understand the statistical analyses presented in the book.
Key features include:

• A concise and accessible overview of the topic, grounding you in quantitative methods, statistics and mathematics, whatever your prior knowledge.
  
• Quantitative methods explained using a practical project context
  
• Extensive guidance on how to conduct analyses with both SPSS and Excel.
  
• Engaging pedagogical features integrated throughout to help maximise understanding, including chapter objectives and summaries, 'Review and Reflect' questions, 'Look Out!' boxes to guide you through difficult sections, 'Check Your Understanding' exercises at the end of each chapter accompanied by solutions at the back of the book, and an Excel functions glossary.
  
• A companion website containing a wealth of additional resources for lecturers and students, such as worksheets, SPSS and Excel data sets and examples, template participant information sheets and consent Forms, and project checklists.

Introducing Quantitative Methods is the ideal core text for students across social science and business departments taking introductory modules on quantitative methods, research methods or statistics at undergraduate or postgraduate level. It also acts as a guide for your own quantitative research project, making each stage both doable and enjoyable.
Daniela Aidley is a Professor of Business Psychology at the Applied University Westküste, Heide, Germany. She previously worked at Harvey Nash HR Consulting and McKinsey, Inc. and then at Leicester University until 2017. Daniela is also a member of the Editorial Board at Sociological Research Online.

Author Biography

Daniela Aidley is a Professor of Business Psychology at the Applied University Westküste, Heide, Germany. Having first completed a Masters in Linguistics, Psychology and English, she worked at Harvey Nash HR Consulting and McKinsey, Inc. for five years before moving to the UK where she completed a PhD in Cognitive Psychology in 2012 at the University of Leicester. She then worked at Leicester University until 2017 when she moved back to Germany. Daniela is also a member of the Editorial Board at Sociological Research Online.
Daniela Aidley is a Professor of Business Psychology at the Applied University Westküste, Heide, Germany. Having first completed a Masters in Linguistics, Psychology and English, she worked at Harvey Nash HR Consulting and McKinsey, Inc. for five years before moving to the UK where she completed a PhD in Cognitive Psychology in 2012 at the University of Leicester. She then worked at Leicester University until 2017 when she moved back to Germany. Daniela is also a member of the Editorial Board at Sociological Research Online.