Each Design Chapter Focuses on a Single Research Question
With this approach, students see what psychological methods reveal about fascinating, unexpected questions—questions of genuine relevance to student life, such as:
Can trying to ignore a text message by itself be a distraction?
Is joining a fraternity or sorority a good idea?
Can reality TV increase self-esteem?
Each research question continues throughout each chapter and drives the content, which provides a strong foundation for students’ understanding of the actual design and the entire research process.
Each Design Chapter Repeats All Steps of the Research Process
Rather than introducing important aspects – like ethical considerations or a literature review - once in the entire text, this author team revisits them for each design, asking students to work through each case by:

• Formulating a research question
• Reviewing the literature
• Constructing a data collection method
• Considering ethics
• Refining the method
• Gathering data
• Interpreting statistical results
• Reporting the results in APA style

This approach gives students repeated experience with the building blocks of reliable research without losing sight of the overall goals of the study. It puts into classroom practice the authors’ own experience-based conclusion that repetition is the key to solidifying research skills—skills that lead to success in the laboratory, in the workplace, and beyond.

Innovative Features
Research in Action Immersive Learning Activities (in LaunchPad)
Driven by the authors and accessible in LaunchPad, these realistic activities (at least one per chapter) allow readers to step into the shoes of a psychological scientist, making decisions that guide the design and execution of a study. These activities are an ideal way to make sure students understand when to use a particular design and its associated manipulations, measures, and protocols.
 
Research Spotlight
In guiding students through specific case scenarios, the authors highlight actual research relevant to the assignment at hand.
 
Thinking Like a Scientist in Real Life
In each chapter, the authors take a moment to connect what students think about concepts in relation to their own experiences, asking questions that ultimately show the real-life relevance what they’re learning.
 
Writing the Method Section in APA Style and Writing the Results in APA Style
Chapters include specific instruction on using APA style in research reports—a skill often required for the course. The book also includes an appendix on APA style.
 
Statistics Appendix
This appendix serves as a handy reference when students are asking to compute statistics.
 
Helpful Pedagogy
Learning Outcomes at the beginning of each chapter
"Your Turn" assessments as the end of each section
End-of-chapter Review Questions and Applying What You’ve Learned activities
 
An Unprecedented Set of Instructor Resources
A full instructor’s manual, including supplemental examples for each chapter, suggestions for in-class activities and demonstrations, lab/group project ideas, a feature designed to enhance psychological/information literacy, and suggestions for using end of chapter materials.
Chapter PowerPoint slides with additional examples, discussion questions, demonstrations and activities built into the presentation. For design chapters, the authors provide two sets of PowerPoint slides: one set that incorporates the chapter’s research question and a more traditional set that focuses on key concepts.