The Research Methods Knowledge Base,   ISBN:9781592602919

Customer Rating: 

I used this text in my doctoral studies. This has to be the most accessible text on the subject I have yet to see. The examples are simple, the language lacks complexity, and the logical order of text is commendable. For someone wanting to understand research methods that does not have the supporting background, this is a great primer text. What this text does better than others I've seen is that it does a nice job explaining the multitude of research designs available for researchers.

The single weakness that I would attribute to this text is that it doesn't help the researcher pick which statistical tests to use for their particular research very well. With that said, it is obviously not intended to be a statistics book and does not go to the depth needed to complete doctoral level research by itself, but it is an excellent companion text.

Customer Rating: 

The arrival of the book was quick and it was acceptable, besides I could save a lot of money.

Customer Rating: 

Research can sometimes be intimidating. However, with this masterpiece from Professor Trochim, the mystery and arduousness is desolved, step by step. This book is exceptional for social sciences and business research of any magnitude. The Glossary of Terms (pp.345-353) provides an even greater resource both for the beginner and the veteran researcher. Simply put, this book has all the information that one needs in order to design, execute and analyze a professional research work. Nwankama Nwankama

Customer Rating: 

It's clear from the author's acknowledgements that he has a very hard time meeting his deadlines and it really shows -- it's obvious his publishers did not have enough time to edit this book!

He will gloss over terms many new students may not be familiar with (variance) and define things that are obvious (e-mail survey). He veers from being cloyishly condescending (golly, doesn't "operationalization" have a lot of syllables!) to careening through complex calculations on reliability.

His information in and of itself is valid, but frustratingly presented. Also, the dude is not nearly as funny as he thinks he is. He spends a lot of space making cutesy comments that could be better used to more fully explain concepts.

Maybe future editions will be improved. These comments relate to the 2005 edition (which I believe is the first).

Customer Rating: 

After over a month, I still have not received the book and would like my account credited.