Handbook Of Research Methods In Personality Psychology

Bringing together leading investigators, this comprehensive handbook is a one-stop reference for anyone planning or conducting research on personality. It provides up-to-date analyses of the rich array of methodological tools available today, giving particular attention to real-world theoretical and logistical challenges and how to overcome them. In chapters filled with detailed, practical examples, readers are shown step by step how to formulate a suitable research design, select and use high-quality measures, and manage the complexities of data analysis and interpretation. Coverage ranges from classic methods like self-report inventories and observational procedures to such recent innovations as neuroimaging and genetic analyses.

This indispensible sourcebook covers conceptual and practical issues in research design in the field of social and personality psychology. Key experts address specific methods and areas of research, contributing to a comprehensive overview of contemporary practice. This updated and expanded second edition offers current commentary on social and personality psychology, reflecting the rapid development of this dynamic area of research over the past decade. With the help of this up-to-date text, both seasoned and beginning social psychologists will be able to explore the various tools and methods available to them in their research as they craft experiments and imagine new methodological possibilities.

Bringing together leading authorities, this unique handbook reviews the breadth of current approaches for studying how people think, feel, and behave in everyday environments, rather than in the laboratory. The volume thoroughly describes experience sampling methods, diary methods, physiological measures, and other self-report and non-self-report tools that allow for repeated, real-time measurement in natural settings. Practical guidance is provided to help the reader design a high-quality study, select and implement appropriate methods, and analyze the resulting data using cutting-edge statistical techniques. Applications across a wide range of psychological subfields and research areas are discussed in detail.

This sourcebook covers conceptual and practical issues in research design, methods of research and statistical approaches in social and personality psychology. The primary purpose of the handbook is to provide readable yet comprehensive chapters on the range of methods and tools used by researchers in social and personality psychology. In addition, it should alert researchers to methodological possibilities they may not have thought of. Innovative research methods work best when they allow researchers to ask theoretically driven questions that could not have been asked previously, thereby enhancing the quality and depth of their empirical knowledge base. With the help of this text, both new and established social psychologists should learn about appropriate uses of each method and the opportunities they provide for expanding knowledge.

This handbook gives researchers and students an overview of the rich history of methodological innovation in both basic and applied research within social psychology. It is sometimes difficult for researchers, new and seasoned alike, to keep up with innovations that allow a greater diversity in the kinds and levels of research questions that can be addressed. As a result, the nature of the questions asked by many researchers may be unnecessarily constrained. Conversely, a rush to embrace newer approaches can lead to less-than-thorough consideration of fundamental issues that transcend any particular approach. The editors believe that the decision to use a particular methodological approach is optimally made when grounded in careful consideration of the `big picture′ of a program of research. Thus, methodological decisions are inextricably tied to what the researcher, ultimately, wants to know. In other words, research questions guide the methods rather than the reverse. Based on this `top-down′ perspective, chapters in this volume emphasize the conceptual basis of the methodology, with an explicit focus on the meaning of data when obtained via a particular methodology.

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Though psychology as a discipline has grown enormously in popularity in recent years, compulsory courses in research methods and statistics are seldom embarked upon with any great enthusiasm within the undergraduate and postgraduate communities. Many postgraduate and PhD students start their research ill-equipped to design effective experiments and to properly analyse their results. This lack of knowledge also limits their ability to critically assess and evaluate research done by others. This book is a practical guide to carrying out research in health psychology and clinical psychology. It bridges the gap between undergraduate and postgraduate study. As well as describing the various techniques and methods available to students, it provides them with a proper understanding of what a specific technique does - going beyond the introductory descriptions typical of most undergraduate methods books. The book describes both quantitative and qualititative approaches to data collection, providing valuable advice on methods ranging from psychometric testing to discourse analysis. For both undergraduate and postgraduate students, the book will be essential in making them aware of the full range of techniques available, helping them to design scientifically rigorous experiments, and effectively analyse their results.

The Handbook of Personality Dynamics and Processes is a primer to the basic and most important concepts, theories, methods, empirical findings, and applications of personality dynamics and processes. This book details how personality psychology has evolved from descriptive research to a more explanatory and dynamic science of personality, thus bridging structure- and process-based approaches, and it also reflects personality psychology’s interest in the dynamic organization and interplay of thoughts, feelings, desires, and actions within persons who are always embedded into social, cultural and historic contexts. The Handbook of Personality Dynamics and Processes tackles each topic with a range of methods geared towards assessing and analyzing their dynamic nature, such as ecological momentary sampling of personality manifestations in real-life; dynamic modeling of time-series or longitudinal personality data; network modeling and simulation; and systems-theoretical models of dynamic processes. Ties topics and methods together for a more dynamic understanding of personality Summarizes existing knowledge and insights of personality dynamics and processes Covers a broad compilation of cutting-edge insights Addresses the biophysiological and social mechanisms underlying the expression and effects of personality Examines within-person consistency and variability

Donald W. Fiske's professional life and collaborations are themselves a textbook in the development of the field of personality. From the field's early origins in personnel selection, rating accuracy, and psychotherapy outcomes, to its current status of theoretical and methodological maturity -- complete with mid-life crises -- the field has been fundamentally changed by Fiske's work, and the changes have influenced generations of scholars. This festschrift is a celebration of Fiske's impact, but not merely of his impact on the history of personality research. Instead, the volume focuses on ongoing debates and issues that have been framed or influenced by Fiske's work. The festschrift's three sections are organized around three themes in Fiske's writings -- themes that also correspond to three periods in his career. This volume examines current thinking about what can be known about personality, how constructs relevant to personality psychology are best measured, and how to approach specific research problems in personality and related fields. The contributors create an eminent cross-section of the development and current status of personality methods. In addition to Fiske's eminent contemporaries, the contributors to this volume include Fiske's former students, collaborators, and his two children, both of whom are behavioral scientists. The accomplishments of his students, colleagues, and children testifies to the range of psychologists who have benefited from his scholarly and practical wisdom. This collection is a valuable textbook for an advanced graduate course as well as appealing as a scholarly resource. Many of the contributors are renown psychological leaders who have made available their latest original thoughts. The book concludes with an essay by Fiske offering his perspective on the central themes: behavioral and social science metatheory, methods, and strategies.

Personality Psychology: A Student-Centered Approach by Jim McMartin organizes the field of personality psychology around basic questions relevant to the reader’s past, present, and future selves. Answers to the questions are based on findings from up-to-date research and shed light on the validity of personality theories to help students deepen their understanding of their own personalities. Concise, conversational, and easy-to-understand, the Second Edition is enhanced with new chapters, new research that reflects the latest scholarship, and new photos and illustrations throughout.

Research on personality psychology is making important contributions to psychological science and applied psychology. This second edition of The Cambridge Handbook of Personality Psychology offers a one-stop resource for scientific personality psychology. It summarizes cutting-edge personality research in all its forms, including genetics, psychometrics, social-cognitive psychology, and real-world expressions, with informative and lively chapters that also highlight some areas of controversy. The team of renowned international authors, led by two esteemed editors, ensures a wide range of theoretical perspectives. Each research area is discussed in terms of scientific foundations, main theories and findings, and future directions for research. The handbook also features advances in technology, such as molecular genetics and functional neuroimaging, as well as contemporary statistical approaches. An invaluable aid to understanding the central role played by personality in psychology, it will appeal to students, researchers, and practitioners in psychology, behavioral neuroscience, and the social sciences.

Diary Methods, sometimes known as intensive repeated measures or ecological assessments, are an important method for social and personality psychologists. The volume begins with a rationale for such methods, with an emphasis on social and personality psychology, and then provides a non-technical, accessible description of how to use such methods, including advice on study design, data analysis, and preparation of papers. Both interval contingent methods (e.g., daily diaries) and event contingent methods (e.g., social interaction diaries) are covered. The author, John B. Nezlek, has used these methods in his own scholarly work for over 30 years and has written this book to provide an introduction to these methods for those who are not familiar with them. This book will be perfect for advanced students and researchers in social and personality psychology and related disciplines who use and want to use diary methods in their research. The SAGE Library of Methods in Social and Personality Psychology is a new series of books launching in early 2011 to provide students and researchers with an understanding of the methods and techniques essential to conducting cutting-edge research. Each volume explains a specific topic and has been written by an active scholar (or scholars) with expertise in that particular methodological domain. Assuming no prior knowledge of the topic, the volumes are clear and accessible for all readers. In each volume, a topic is introduced, applications are discussed, and readers are led step by step through worked examples. In addition, advice about how to interpret and prepare results for publication are presented. The Library should be particularly valuable for advanced students and academics who want to know more about how to use research methods in social and personality psychology.

Handbook of Research Methods in Industrial and Organizational Psychology is a comprehensive and contemporary treatment of research philosophies, approaches, tools, and techniques indigenous to industrial and organizational psychology. Only available research handbook for Industrial & Organizational Psychology. Contributors are leading methodological & measurement scholars. Excellent balance of practical and theoretical insights which will be of interest to both novice and experienced organizational researchers. Great companion to the content-oriented Handbooks. Now available in full text online via xreferplus, the award-winning reference library on the web from xrefer. For more information, visit www.xreferplus.com

Psychophysiology methods have become very important in the past decade or so with the increase in the understanding of the relationship between human physiology and behavior. As social behavior research has ventured further into biological waters, more detailed understanding of these methods has become necessary. This volume meets this need in a very accessible way for the advanced level student upwards. Written by a team of well recognized and well-published social psychophysiologists, it leads the reader through some complex but essential areas of understanding for anyone needing to investigate the human biological system and social behavior including the autonomic nervous system, endocrine measures and electromyography. This text will be perfect for all advanced students and researchers in social and personality psychology using social psychophysiological methods as part of their studies or research.

This book integrates philosophy of science, data acquisition methods, and statistical modeling techniques to present readers with a forward-thinking perspective on clinical science. It reviews modern research practices in clinical psychology that support the goals of psychological science, study designs that promote good research, and quantitative methods that can test specific scientific questions. It covers new themes in research including intensive longitudinal designs, neurobiology, developmental psychopathology, and advanced computational methods such as machine learning. Core chapters examine significant statistical topics, for example missing data, causality, meta-analysis, latent variable analysis, and dyadic data analysis. A balanced overview of observational and experimental designs is also supplied, including preclinical research and intervention science. This is a foundational resource that supports the methodological training of the current and future generations of clinical psychological scientists.