Thinking Like a Researcher
An Engaged Introduction to Communication Research Methods (First Edition)
©2020, 442 pages
Paperback list price: $ 94.95
Cognella Direct Ebook: $72.95
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Thinking Like a Researcher: An Engaged Introduction to Communication Research Methods challenges students to assume the role of a researcher to learn how to solve problems and analyze relevant, real-world situations.
The book presents students with an array of research problems as seen through the eyes of four different types of researchers: a college newspaper staff member; an intern at a city government health agency; a political campaign intern; and a recent college graduate working at a public relations firm. Students adopt these roles and, in doing so, learn how to apply research methods to a specific problem, analyze the resulting data, and produce written research to communicate their findings.
The text is organized around extended examples that frame pairs of chapters. The first chapter in each pair deals with methods (“What would you do to gather data to answer the question?”) and the second with analysis (“What do you do with the resulting data?”). Throughout, students are prompted to fill in blanks, provide responses, and guess the answers to questions. They learn how to use appropriate and accessible tools to run analyses on real data and cultivate results.
Featuring a uniquely intuitive and immersive approach, Thinking Like a Researcher is an exemplary textbook for introductory courses in communication research and statistics.
Thinking Like a Researcher is the recipient of a 2022 Most Promising New Textbook Award from the Textbook & Academic Authors Association. Read the press release to learn more.
For a look at the specific features and benefits of Thinking Like a Researcher, visit cognella.com/thinking-like-a-researcher-features-and-benefits.
Jake Harwood (Ph.D., University of California at Santa Barbara) is a professor of communication at the University of Arizona, where he teaches courses in research methods and statistics, intergroup communication, communication and music, and intergenerational communication. He is the author of Understanding Communication and Aging and Communication and Music in Social Interaction. He has published more than 100 articles in such journals as Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Journal of Communication, and Communication Monographs.
Other Cognella titles by Jake Harwood:Cognella Active Learning is available for this title! Adopting instructors can provide students with dynamic online learning activities that reinforce key concepts from the text, provide engaging educational experiences, and support various learning styles.
Please note: Cognella Active Learning can be bundled for purchase with the text or posted separately. Contact us to learn about bundle discounts.
The Cognella Active Learning content for Thinking Like a Researcher includes:
To see a full demo, please email us and one of our adoption specialists will follow up with you.
Please note: Cognella Active Learning can be bundled for purchase with the text or posted separately. Contact us to learn about bundle discounts.
The Cognella Active Learning content for Thinking Like a Researcher includes:
- 10 original "how-to" videos on working in Google Sheets - topics include mean and standard deviation, chi-square, factorial ANOVA, and more!
- Resources for working in JASP - 2 Youtube videos, 2 GIFs, and 2 articles.
To see a full demo, please email us and one of our adoption specialists will follow up with you.
Formats and Bulk Order Pricing for Confirmed Adoptions
Publisher Direct Versions — Available through the Cognella Student Store for confirmed adoptions |
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$72.95
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Publisher Direct Ebook | Publisher Direct ebooks are available in your Cognella account immediately after purchase and provide access for 180 days. Our ebooks run on RedShelf and VitalSource with annual/perpetual options available. |
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$85.45
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Publisher Direct Paperback | These special, discounted paperback editions are sold exclusively through the Cognella Student Store (store.cognella.com) for confirmed adoptions. They are not available through other retailers. The books are printed on demand, do not have an ISBN, and are not intended for resale, which results in savings we pass along to students. Most Publisher Direct Paperbacks also come with free, immediate access to the first 30% of the ebook and FREE shipping. |
| $24.95 | Standalone Cognella Active Learning | Cognella Active Learning provides dynamic online content within a custom digital learning environment. Free with purchase of textbook or ebook. |
Bookstore Pricing (MSRP) — These suggested retail prices include a total projected mark-up of 25% |
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$68.76
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Inclusive Access Ebook 978-1-7935-0223-0 |
We partner with both RedShelf and VitalSource to provide day-one access to students through campus bookstores. Bookstores and these vendors share in the total projected mark-up. Learn more about Inclusive Access at cognella.com/inclusive-access. |
| $94.95 | Paperback 978-1-5165-3063-2 |
Standard paperback version. Contact us for course adoptions; also available for individual purchase through national wholesalers and retailers — and from our website directly — see Purchase button above. |
| $99.95 | Paperback + Cognella Active Learning Code Talk to a rep for ISBN details |
Cognella Active Learning provides students with dynamic online content within a custom digital learning environment. Access codes are available with print books or ebooks. Contact us for course adoptions; not available for individual purchase. |
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| $85.95 | Ebook 978-1-7935-0223-0 |
Ebooks are available for individual purchase (180-day access) through either RedShelf or VitalSource. Bookstores and these vendors share in the total projected mark-up. |
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$86.95 |
Binder Ready/Loose Leaf Talk to a rep for ISBN details |
Binder Ready versions have pages that are loose leaf, three-hole punched, and fit into any standard three-ring binder (not included). They are fully typeset, include front and back covers, and are available at a discount compared to standard paperbacks.Contact us for course adoptions; not available for individual purchase. |
| $152.95 | Hardcover 978-1-5165-7639-5 |
Great for libraries and rental programs. Contact us for course adoptions; also available for individual purchase through national wholesalers and retailers. |
| $85.45 | Other Formats Talk to a rep for details |
Other formats (spiral bind, perforated, etc.) may be available. Contact us for course adoptions; specialty formats are not available for individual purchase. |
| $24.95 | Standalone Cognella Active Learning Talk to a rep for ISBN details |
Cognella Active Learning provides dynamic online content within a custom digital learning environment. Does not include the ebook. Contact us for course adoptions; not available for individual purchase. |
Adopting instructors will receive a sample syllabus that contains a 16-week reading schedule and detailed notes to instructors including suggestions on how to incorporate discussion exercises and a research paper into the course. Adopters will also receive a test bank for each section of the book and a list of research topics, research questions, and a grading rubric.
"Understanding why methods is important and how to select the right tool for the job is key to the success of a researcher’s efforts. Thinking Like a Researcher: An Engaged Introduction to Communication Research Methods does an outstanding job of helping students to understand the why and the how of methods."
2022 Textbook & Academic Authors Association Awards Judging Panel
“This text is clearly written, begins on day one with significant immersion into significant content, provides ample opportunity for student engagement with the content and places the student into a very valuable mindset of thinking and acting like a researcher. … I think the most valuable overriding asset of this book is treating the students as competent and motivated individuals. The text will challenge the student and I feel the great majority of our undergrads will stand up to the challenge … EXCELLENT!!! I feel we need to get this to press ASAP!! … Best text I have seen written by a communication scholar for communication students!!!”
Jon Nussbaum, Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, The Pennsylvania State University; Past President of the International Communication Association
“The book is excellent and exactly what undergraduate research methods classes need to get students engaged in the content. … [The single most impressive quality is] Harwood’s ability to explain complex material in a way that will engage the audience way more than any other research methods text book. … I absolutely love the approach he is using and I think it could make a huge difference in the way the students see research methods. …This approach is incredibly helpful in getting students engaged from the start and continuing that engagement throughout.”
Rick Olsen, Associate Professor and Department Chair, Communication Studies, University of North Carolina-Wilmington
2022 Textbook & Academic Authors Association Awards Judging Panel
“This text is clearly written, begins on day one with significant immersion into significant content, provides ample opportunity for student engagement with the content and places the student into a very valuable mindset of thinking and acting like a researcher. … I think the most valuable overriding asset of this book is treating the students as competent and motivated individuals. The text will challenge the student and I feel the great majority of our undergrads will stand up to the challenge … EXCELLENT!!! I feel we need to get this to press ASAP!! … Best text I have seen written by a communication scholar for communication students!!!”
Jon Nussbaum, Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, The Pennsylvania State University; Past President of the International Communication Association
“The book is excellent and exactly what undergraduate research methods classes need to get students engaged in the content. … [The single most impressive quality is] Harwood’s ability to explain complex material in a way that will engage the audience way more than any other research methods text book. … I absolutely love the approach he is using and I think it could make a huge difference in the way the students see research methods. …This approach is incredibly helpful in getting students engaged from the start and continuing that engagement throughout.”
Rick Olsen, Associate Professor and Department Chair, Communication Studies, University of North Carolina-Wilmington
Thinking Like a Researcher is the recipient of a 2022 Most Promising New Textbook Award from the Textbook & Academic Authors Association. Read the press release to learn more.
