Editorial Review

You'll find everything you forgot from school--as well asplenty you never even learned--in this all-purpose reference book, aninstant classic when it first appeared in 1987. The updated versiontakes a whirlwind tour through 12 different disciplines, from Americanstudies to philosophy to world history. Along the way, Judy Jones andWilliam Wilson provide a plethora of useful information, from the plotof Read more

Reviews (59)

More Here Than You Can Ever Know
No, you probably didn't learn all of these 3,684 tidbits. If you had you would have been an excellent player of 'Trivial Persuit' but your brain would probably have been fried.
Study this curricum and have fun doing so!
I just finished the taped version of AN INCOMPLETE EDUATION
A Great Book
This book can be viewed as either a repository of interesting knowledge or as a way to one up people in conversation at cocktail parties.There are chapters to correspond with the major departments in a liberal arts college (art, literature, economics, etc.)This is a guide to everything that you learned in college and forgot (or everything you should have learned but skipped out on).If you are still in high school, read this book--you will be able to easily impress your teachers with college-level knowledge.I cannot wait for the new edition to be released! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Curiosities & Wonders    2. Encyclopedias    3. Encyclopedias (Multi-Subject)    4. Handbooks, vade-mecums, etc    5. Reference    6. Research    7. Trivia    8. Reference / Encyclopedias   

Reviews (7)

Helpful guide
Although I've written many research papers, I found this book to be a great guide to help me 'fill in' the missing pieces in my work.It provides useful guidelines in all phases of research writing, from picking the right topic to statistical techniques.

Practical Research Book Review
Great book, it is very easy to follow and understand.It provides great samples and guides on how to do a research paper. I certainly would recommend it to anyone that needs help or guidance on research project writing.

Required Reading
Practical Research actually is required reading for my Ph.D. Since it is a text book is does cost a lot. It was the same price at Amazon as it would have been to order it through my university. However, the shipping was free with Amazon, so I came out ahead. The book is well written, in plain English. The advice is practical. Some of the advice about using technology is a bit behind the times, but that is to be expected. The font size is small, but this would not be a problem for most people under 40. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Handbooks & Manuals    2. Methodology    3. Reference    4. Research    5. Research & Methodology    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Study Skills    9. Education / Testing & Measurement    10. Philosophy of science   

Reviews (6)

The Practice of Social Research (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac) (Practice of Social Research)
This book is a course requirement; otherwise it would not have been purchased.In my opinion this is unquestionably the worst textbook I have every read.I have read a lot of textbooks, over 60 boxes worth, both as a student and a professor.Some have been a good read, others not.In all of them I have found at least something worthwhile.Not this time.
Textbook
I use this for my text for an upper division Soc class - is a good book - easy to read - wish I had the CD!

Fast, Accurate and Great Condition
I was skeptical when the description said they ship same day but took the chance because I had waited till the last minute to order my books. I placed the order Monday morning and received the book Wednesday just in time for class!!! Thank you for the fast delivery with no extra charge to me!!! And of course as promised the book was in excellent condition and everyone in class was jealous because I paid less and got better service then most of them!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Methodology    2. Research    3. Social Science    4. Social sciences    5. Sociology    6. Marriage, family & other relationships    7. Social Science / Sociology / Marriage & Family    8. Social research & statistics   

Editorial Review

Skillfully done, research can be the solid cornerstone of your term paper (or dissertation, essay, or article); inadequately executed, it can cause your whole project to crumble and fall. Yet essential as research is to the ultimate success of your work, performing it is not an innate talent. The precepts, steps, and skills of solid research are readily acquired if you spend some time with Read more

Reviews (30)

Somewhat Useful...
I am a master's student just beginning graduate studies in the humanities.I picked up this book during my first semester and devoured it over the course of a few days (my undergraduate degree is in mathematics, so I figured I was a little behind the curve in my present area).It's the kind of book I think I will return to occasionally throughout my studies.There's some useful stuff here, but the main point of the book is "make sure you make a good argument!"That's really what it boils down to.As someone with a solid background in logic, however, I found much of the book to be reducible to basic principles of common sense.There's a section on "warrants" for example that sounds very sophisticated and difficult, but is really just an exercise in constructing a logical argument by using universally accepted propositions.Now this is fine, but I think the material could be presented in a much simpler manner.Instead of using large tables and graphics with arrows and textboxes and all that jazz, the authors could have taken a more minimalist route and avoided a lot of confusion. I don't know... maybe I would have just preferred a different format.Some of the things in the book really bug me.For example, chapter seven introduces the ideas of claim, warrants, reason, and evidence.To put it simply, you base claims on reasons.Evidence is the cold hard reality upon which the reasoning process rests.Warrants are like propositions which connect reasons to claims in the way antecedents are connected to consequents.If your warrant is something like A=>B then your reasons will need to coincide with A and your claims with B (if your warrant is going to successfully connect reasons to claims).If your claim is more specific than B then your warrant isn't strong enough (and your claim is unjustifiably strong).If your reason is broader than A then your claim won't necessarily follow because your not sticking to the limits of the proposition.This kind of stuff is very basic logical reasoning which everyone is familiar with.So why do the authors say "as we said, this is not easy stuff."Maybe it's not easy because the presentation is muddled.It could have been simplified by taking a more symbolic route (perhaps in addition to, or as a a preliminary, what is already here).

The Craft of Research
Excellent way to learn the steps required to write an quality research paper.Learning the proper way to do reseach will remove stress and make writing fun.I am a 1 year MBA student at WSU but I wish I learned these techniques in high school.The next edition should have examples and resources for business students.

Notes from an English Instructor
The Craft of Research is an excellent guide for students of all ages and levels.I teach Freshman Composition, and I am using it this year as a basis of lectures in my Research Class.I am considering requiring my students to buy it next year.The book is not written as a textbook, but as a guide that individual students could read and use.The language is straight forward and easy to follow.The authors, English professors, take students through the research process, step by step.I highly recommend this book for anyone from high school seniors through graduate school, especially for those who are a few years removed from Freshman Comp. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Methodology    3. Reference    4. Research    5. Research & Methodology    6. Science    7. Technical writing    8. Encyclopaedias & Reference Works    9. Research methods: general    10. Science / Methodology    11. Writing skills   

Reviews (6)

Great Resource for the Dissertation
I found this book to be a great resource as I am doing research for my dissertation. It has helped me to look at the lit review in a new light and has given me several ideas of others avenues to search.

so good my advisor is going to use it
This book is great.It has all you need to complete a research paper at any level.I used it for my bachelor's project which, according to my advisor, is equivalent to a Master's thesis in content requirement.My advisor has asked me to lend him the book so he can use it to revise the current research manual supplied by the college.This book is easy to read and has a lot of useful tables and charts.

Great resource!
Great, current resource for writing a lit review.Especially appreciated the specific information about how to analyze and synthesize information. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - Academic    2. Humanities    3. Reference    4. Report writing    5. Research    6. Social Science    7. Social sciences    8. Sociology    9. Education / Study Skills    10. Social research & statistics    11. Study & learning skills   

Reviews (14)

An Excellent Guide
The Bedford Handbook is an excellent guide for anyone enrolled in a college English course. The book gives details on correct grammar usage, as well as descriptions of different essay styles. The book is very helpful to me with my English class.

www.sportofdistraction.com
This guide will prove indispensable for those of us who lack grammatical expertise.It's the little things that this book provides that are the most helpful.If you plan on training yourself to improve your writing--this guide will serve your needs.

Fastest Handbook in the West
I have written many papers with the help of this literary wonder.It works well with the resources on http://www.dianahacker.com and is consistent with current MLA formatting.The information is well-organized and easy to find.I couldn't be happier with this book!It's even a good conversation starter if you happen to be with friends who write!Check out the section on ellipses... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - Academic    2. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    3. Reference    4. Research    5. Writing Skills    6. Language Arts & Disciplines / Composition & Creative Writing   

Reviews (11)

Good explanation of a confusing subject
The book gives a good acccount of the various Islamic militant factions and their interactions. The opinions seemed a bit "armchair general" and opinionated at times, but they made several good points. I'd recommend the book although it had the following drawbacks for me:
PLACE IT IN A ZIPLOCK BAG AND PUT IT IN YOUR RUCKSACK!
First off, all John Poole's books should be read by the Secretary of Defense on down to the grunt in the field and more military outfits should go through his course. [...] Secondly, this particular book and his previous work Tactics of the Crescent Moon: Militant Muslim Combat Tactics should be MANDATORY READING for every soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan. If you're headed that way buy these books! Put them in a ziplock bag and place them in your rucksack. If you have a loved one who's deploying to these theaters of operation and they don't know about these books buy them these books! These books may very well save their lives!

The usual stupidity in high places
Pooles's books reminds me of "the Game Of Nations" by M. Copeland, which was published almost 50 years ago. In it Copeland quotes Nasser, the dictator of Egypt, as saying that originally he thought that US foreign policy was very subtle and devious, then he realized that it was simply very stupid.
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Subjects:  1. Armed Forces    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Infantry drill and tactics    5. Military    6. Military - General    7. Military art and science    8. Military history    9. Political Science / Political Freedom & Security / Terrorism    10. Research    11. Technology / Military Science    12. Afghan War, 2001-    13. Afghanistan    14. Counterinsurgency    15. Insurgency    16. Iraq War, 2003    17. War on Terrorism, 2001-   

Subjects:  1. Environmental Science    2. Environmental Studies    3. Reference    4. Research   

Reviews (3)

pre-req: mid-level stats experience
I had taken a class in HLM before, and I bought this book to refresh myself on the details.It takes a good deal of attention to detail and concentration to really get the full measure from this book, although it's all in there.Despite the authors' best efforts, there is a good bit of stats jargon in the book, so a reader who is not familiar might have some difficulty.If you're at a point where learning HLM is a logical next step, you'll be fine and I recommend this book.However, if your over-eager faculty advisor told you to learn HLM, despite your minimal experience in stats, you're better off enrolling in a class or workshop.

Good but sometimes skipping ahead too fast
This book gives a detailed description of the use of an advanced method to deal with nested data sets.
Useful, but need solid background in stats
This book describes important advances in statistical analysis of social science data, circa 1992. Much of this data has a natural hierarchical grouping. But traditional statistical methods proved inadequate at coping. The biggest drawback was the failure of the assumption of independence. If at the lowest level, Items I1,...,In are grouped into sets J1,...,Jm, where mRead more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Linear Programming    3. Linear models (Statistics)    4. Mathematics    5. Reference    6. Research    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Social sciences    9. Statistical methods    10. Applied mathematics    11. Social Science / Research    12. Social research & statistics   

Subjects:  1. Health Insurance    2. Insurance - General    3. Insurance - Life    4. Insurance, Life    5. Life Insurance    6. Medical    7. Medical examinations    8. Practice Management & Reimbursement    9. Prognosis    10. Reference    11. Research    12. Insurance    13. Medicolegal issues    14. Reference / Research    15. Reference works   

Reviews (1)

Handbook of Research in Second Language Teaching and Learning
Incredibly useful!Exactly what I need all in one place! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. English language    2. Foreign speakers    3. Language    4. Language Arts & Disciplines    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Language and languages    7. Linguistics    8. Research    9. Second language acquisition    10. Study & Teaching    11. Study and teaching    12. Education / Bilingual Education    13. Language acquisition   

Subjects:  1. Education / Teaching    2. Reference    3. Research    4. Education / Research    5. Social research & statistics   

Reviews (2)

That was fast!
I am very pleased with my book and with the short time of the delivery, thanks for the great service.

Strong Text of Applied Theory
Terrific review of how to design and execute quality surveys from some of the most respected names in market research.I bought six copies for the executive team - I can't think of a stronger endorsement.- David Haynes, CEO Western Wats ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mathematics    2. Methodology    3. Probability & Statistics - General    4. Research    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Social sciences    7. Social surveys    8. Statistical methods    9. Surveys    10. Mathematics / Statistics    11. Research methods: general    12. Social theory   

Reviews (6)

Invaluable tool for becoming productive and efficient in your research lab
This is the book all grad students should read because this book discusses the things that you typically don't learn in grad school.The book is meant for new faculty, but anyone interested in learning practical lab management issues is encouraged to read this book.There is something useful in this book for both green rookies and experienced veterans.
Fantastic for the new professor
I love this book and only wish it was published when I was first starting a faculty position.Definitely a biologist's perspective (and a lab-oriented one at that), but it covers many of the trials and tribulations of starting a new faculty position: setting up a lab, assessing priorities, making hires, managing committees, managing colleagues, etc. Don't be caught without it!
This book is extremely useful for all levels of scientists. An intresting read that will leave you feeling a whole lot wiser. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hospital Administration    2. Laboratories    3. Laboratory Medicine    4. Management    5. Medical Research    6. Reference    7. Research    8. Research & Methodology    9. Science    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Scientific Methodology And Research    12. Management & management techniques    13. Scientific equipment & techniques, laboratory equipment   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (2)

An Excellent Choice
This series is a must for those who are going to do focus group research. The Focus Group kit is the single best "how to do it" manual(s) that I've read on anything. The writing is crisp and clear and the series is filled with "from the trenches" suggestions by authors who have conducted hundreds of focus groups, and who have taught hundreds of others how to do it. The series is thorough and thoughtful. Include is a rich discusion of theoretical topics --such as, how to analyze qualitative data --and very practical suggetions--such as the need for "Duct Tape" and "PZM" microphones. It is far more economic to purchase the kit than the individual books. All the books are useful, however the "Involving Community Members in Focus Groups"--which focuses on using volunteers as moderators and assistants--(for me) was too narrowly cast. I wassurprised by the author's advice not to use videotaping--something I've found indispensable in the analysis of focus groups. They advise against videotaping focus groups because it creates a "circus" atmosphere seems dated given the advent of digital video cameras, and how comfortable nearly everyone seems to be about being videtaped (Andy Warhol was right). Having said this, I can't say enough about the series. I am reading it through for the second time and have made an appointment to meet with one of the authors for some recommended "mentoring." I am going to be doing 10 groups next month. I'll be clutching a tape recorder in one hand and this series in the other.

A terrific resource
These books are a very practical guide.Very useful and easy to understand.They simplify what could otherwise be a very unmanageable process. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Focused group interviewing    2. Reference    3. Research    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Social Science / Research    7. Social, group or collective psychology    8. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (2)

Official OGC material to prepare your ITIL Foundation Certificate
This is the OGC's official documentation, it has several typos but the content is very clear and well documented; very useful to prepare your ITIL Foundation Certificate - it might be wise to wait the new edition of ITIL V3.0 that will cover other ITSM topics
Official guide to 6 key ITIL processes
This is the official guide to service support, covering:Read more

Subjects:  1. Handbooks & Manuals    2. Reference    3. Research    4. General Theory of Computing    5. Management & management techniques   

Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - General    2. Computer network resources    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Reference    6. Report writing    7. Research    8. Writing Skills    9. Language & Linguistics    10. Language Arts & Disciplines / Composition & Creative Writing   

Reviews (2)

Great Stats Text and SPlus Manual
This text is a fantastic introduction to most regression techniques as well as a wonderful reference to the R and SPlus languages.Although there are many regression texts out there, you will be hard pressed to find one that is as comprehensive and pithy as John Fox's.Not only that, if you want to take advantage of the very powerful (and free) R language, do not buy a manual.Buy this book instead.It's what I use.

Good basic regression book
I found this book to be a good basic regression book that covers the basics and gives liberal examples with code, and points out differences between R, S-Plus, S3 and S4.The book does give some general background material on the basic systems, like working with arrays, matrices, writing programs and other basic details.Book also covers data transformation, linear models, generalized linear models, model diagnostics and graphing.
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Subjects:  1. Data processing    2. Essays    3. Mathematics    4. Probability & Statistics - General    5. R (Computer program language)    6. Reference    7. Regression analysis    8. Research    9. S-Plus    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Social Science / Research    12. Social research & statistics   

Subjects:  1. Educational Tests And Measurements (Higher Education)    2. English As A Second Language    3. Research    4. Study Aids    5. Study Guides    6. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)    7. Test Prep    8. Study Aids / TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)   

Reviews (1)

Masterpiece of Qualitative Interviewing
This book covers not only the foundations of Interviewing, but also the methodology in detail. l enjoyed this book very much because the author suggests the way how the interviewers excercize interviewing. Very wellorganized. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Interviewing    2. Interviewing in sociology    3. Research    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Social Science / Research    7. Social research & statistics