Written in uncommonly engaging & elegant prose Practical Research: Planning & Design is a do-it-yourself underst&-it-yourself" manual designed to help students in any discipline understand the fundamental structure of quality research & the methodical process that leads to valid & reliable results. The authors emphasize two things: 1) that quality research demands planning & design; & 2) how research projects can be executed effectively & professionally. This text guides the reader step-by-step from the selection of a problem through the process of conducting authentic research to the preparation of a completed report with practical suggestions based on a solid theoretical framework & sound pedagogy. With broad coverage applicable to any discipline Practical Research is valuable to students planning to conduct their own research projects as well as to anyone wanting to participate in thoughtful methodical evaluation of published research reports."