Scientific research has evolved in the last two decades, with its methods diversifying significantly, providing researchers with numerous fields to choose from to suit their objectives. It can be said that there are two primary approaches to research: quantitative and qualitative. In the past, most research focused on quantitative methods. Then, research techniques developed, and qualitative research emerged, attempting as much as possible to move away from numbers and statistical operations.

With the evolution of the research process, the choice is no longer limited to quantitative versus qualitative methods. Researchers found this to be a restrictive approach that does not fully utilize the potential of scientific inquiry. The development in scientific research over the last two decades has led to a broader and more comprehensive view of the research process. The situation is no longer about choosing between quantitative and qualitative research, as any research generally falls on a continuum between the two (Newman & Benz, 1998). The best way to put it is that research tends to be either predominantly quantitative or predominantly qualitative. However, today's research process often tries to strike a balance between the two, to the extent that a new type of research has emerged in the last decade that combines both, now called mixed-methods research, which uses both quantitative and qualitative research methods in a single study.

This book aims to provide those interested in scientific research in the humanities with the theoretical and practical foundations of scientific research, its methods, and techniques that a researcher typically needs to conduct research in one of the fields of humanities. The philosophy governing this book is twofold: first, it aims to present the research process as a set of integrated activities rather than just the application of isolated and unrelated concepts and ideas. Researchers in behavioral sciences usually follow a series of steps, from identifying the research problem to writing the research report. This means that understanding this sequence of research steps is vital for research and investigation processes. Therefore, the chapters of this book follow the same order as the steps of scientific research, including the concepts, ideas, and processes that research typically involves.

This book focuses on three main aspects:

• Providing a balanced coverage of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research.
• Assisting students and researchers on how to start the research process.
• Helping students learn how to read and evaluate research.

Let's look at each of these aspects in more detail:

Balanced Coverage of Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed-Methods Research: This book provides balanced coverage of all types of research designs. This will give the reader a complete picture of research in the behavioral sciences as it is practiced today.

Helping Students Learn How to Start Conducting Research: The chapters on research design and the research process provide a step-by-step guide to the basic steps of building a research plan, conducting the research, and evaluating it.

Helping Students Learn How to Read and Evaluate Research Reports: The book provides guidance on reading research in various parts, to enhance the student's ability to acquire the skill of reading, interpreting, and evaluating research reports.

Book Details:

• Number of Pages: 424
• Year of Publication: 2025
• Binding Type: Hardcover
• Edition Number: 4
• Print Color: Black
• Dimensions (cm): 17x24
• Weight (kg): 0.850
• Barcode: 9789957069599