Research Methods for Forensic Psychologists is an accessible and
comprehensive textbook that introduces students to the research process
in forensic psychology. Adopting a problem-based learning approach, this
book offers a 'how-to' guide to the whole research process and empowers
readers to develop their own programme of research, from initial vague
ideas, to developing a research question, to carrying out a
methodologically rigorous research project, to disseminating the
findings.
The text is centred on five case studies, sufficiently different in
nature to address the most common research methodologies. Each case
study is linked with a specific research question that will be used to
illustrate the research process throughout the rest of the book. Topics
covered in the book include:
-
Design and Planning, including a literature search, a discussion of
different sorts of data, practical and feasibility issues, research
ethics and developing a research proposal.
-
Conducting research, including the submission of ethics proposals and
responding to feedback, collecting data and dealing with the problems
and challenges of analysing data.
-
Dissemination of findings, an overview of the different types of
papers, with examples listed and other methods of disseminating
findings discussed, such as conference presentations and the use of
social media.
Throughout, issues of common difficulty or confusion are highlighted and
activities are provided for readers to consider and apply the
information discussed further. Additional reading sections and summaries
are also provided at the end of each chapter. This book is essential
reading for advanced students in Forensic Psychology, as well as
trainees and practitioners within relevant forensic psychology
organisations.
