Research Books

As a graduate student, I have gradually acknowledged the hidden rules of practicing sciences that, unfortunately, has never disclosed themselves during the regular programs. This book demistifies science and its practioners in the field using scientific methodology. This book becomes my favorite text at the expanse of T. Kuhn.

I give this book a high rating because of its influence in the field. It is the first case study of laboratory science ever published, and is often quoted in anthropology, sociology, and philosophy of science. The book's conclusion is social constructivist in nature, to a very extreme degree. Scientific facts are not discovered, they are constructed through social processes. The actual study was done by Latour, a French philosopher, and the method was to assume strangeness. That is, Latour pretended he didn't know anything about what the scientists were doing and tried to make up (construct) an account. The usual problems with relativism plague Latour and Woolgar's brand of social constructivism, most notably issues with reflexivity. If scientific accounts are constructed and do not have to do with the phenomena, why should we think that Laboratory Life tells us anything about the phenomena of laboratory science? Their answer is that we shouldn't. The only question in evaluating texts is, "are you convinced?" If not, fine. Come up with a better (more persuasive) account. People who think that science, philosophy, and academe in general should have something to do with the real world will be horribly frustrated by this conclusion. But everyone should be frustrated by the fact that the conclusion just doesn't follow from the data Latour gathered. It seems to come entirely from prior convictions of the authors. I recommend reading the book, however, because of its popularity and because it is a fantastic exemplar of a bad relativist and constructivist argument. Get the revised edition, which has a postscript and extra references. For a chuckle, look up some of the reviews (cited in the 2nd ed. references) from scientific journals. They are mostly cheerful recognitions of the book's subject matter (laboratory science) without any reference to--or argument with--the strong anti-realist claims. It makes you wonder if these people acctually read the book.

It seems to me that the previous reviewer is either a wooly-head theoretician or that the previous reviewer hasn't actually done any research in a laboratory. Because in this book, there are many sparkling insights into the way that science is practised.

It takes a while for Latour to get going as he is quite verbose in the early section, where he discusses his "anthropological" approach to science studies. However, after that, he makes a couple of points that as far as I know, he was the first philosopher of science to make.

First, Latour demonstrates the intimate relationship between the publication of scientific papers, scientific prestige, laboratory finances and actual experiments. He makes the seemingly obvious, though not so when the book came out, that the possibility of experiments in a lab requires the influx of an amazing out of money. The acquisition of this research money takes up a large proportion of the time of the head honcho scientist in a laboratory .

Second, Latour shows that entities in science are always defined by a network of properties that are experimentally determined. Scientific entities are hardly ever seen as objects with a few simple analytical properties. In fact, the more properties the better. And it doesn't matter if the mesh of properties is convoluted and seemingly contradictory. For each property concerned, there must be a vast array of material techniques to measure, control and manipulate that property. A new entity in science is accepted as real only when there are enough inter-locking properties to guarantee its existence. No method, by itself, is ever convincing.

Latour points out that once an object is deemed to be real, scientists often invert the logic and argue that the reason why the combined set of experiments worked in the first place was that the object was in fact real. Whether this inversion of logic stands up to philosophical scrutiny - I do not know - but I have seen many practising scientists make this jump in logic. I've even used it myself. It is here that the "realist" and "anti-realist" debate rages. However, I think Latour reports it just as he sees it.

Third, Latour carries out an analysis of scientific texts, which I have yet to see anywhere else. Scientific statments take on 5 modalities - from speculative hypothesis to proven statements to unspoken assumption. Latour gives a account of how the modalities of each statement are modified by how every other scientist in the field cites the statement in future scientific papers. They can ignore it, attack it as a useless hypothesis, bolster it by citing it as a supporting statement, adulate it by assuming that is a proven statement, and finally they just assume it's true. This scrutiny occurs continuously both inside the lab and in conferences.

However, the difference between this process in the sciences as opposed to the humanities, is that these statements are often associated with machines that act in the material world. Proving a statement means that a material effect is generated.

Using this method, Latour can analyse the fortunes of the scientists in a lab. And analysing the citations of scientific papers results in a reasonably good definition of scientific credibility. As a grad student in a biophysics lab, I've seen this happen - albeit on an intuitive level.

Although Latour has since gone onto to more and more abstract studies, the beauty of Laboratory Life is that it is firmly grounded in the actual practises of an existing laboratory, the Guillemen Lab at the Salks Institute.

Latour's book "Science in Action" is more trendy... but I suggest you read this earlier book instead. It's clear and makes its points in a compelling fashion.

This book is a slender, fully illustrated introduction to the Christianity and Christology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The ten issues are:

1) Are Latter-day Saints Christian?
2) What do Latter-day Saints believe about God?
3) Do latter-day Saints believe in the Bible and biblical Christianity?
4) Does God speak to his children in ways other than through the Bible?
5) Do Latter-day Saints believe that men and women can become Gods?
6) What do latter-day Saints mean when they say that God was once a man?
7) What do Latter-day Saints believe a person must do to be saved?
8) Do the doctrines and practices of the LDS Church change?
9) Ho do latter-day Saints believe they should live their lives?
10) Why do Latter-day Saints try to convert others?

I hope this gets your interest whetted. Robert L. Millet, the Dean of Religion at Brigham Young University-Provo and Dr. Noel Reynolds, an academic vice president at Brigham young University--Provo, are the editors, with several contributors from the Religious Faculty at BYU.

This booklet allows us to speak for ourselves, unfiltered and undistorted. It serves as a great introduction, a guide map if you will, for several points of doctrine and theology that are important for the Church of Jesus Christ. It is written at the high school level, and has beautiful eye-catching pictures. It is a booklet written for everyone.

This is, for its size, an excellent little book that gives a solid, concise overview of Latter-day Saint belief on several issues that almost invariably come up when non-Mormons are asking questions about Mormonism. It's perfect for giving to curious neighbors, co-workers, etc. It makes no attempt to convert, but merely to explain. Very, very well done.

I'm not a Mormon (Evangelical Christian, actually) and I think this is a great intro to LDS doctrine for Christians curious about Mormonism.

If you want to know the true LDS beliefs you should get them from a person who believes in Mormonism, not from a person who thinks Mormonism is a terrible cult. This book quickly cuts to the chase on some of the more controversial issues. This way you can make your own opinion, not get railroaded into a sensational one.

This was a really good book

Having taught reading disabled children and subscribing to the MSL and VAKT methodology as well as Linda Mood Bell I LOVE being able to refer to a succinct well written resource.
The book to own ...if you are just starting out or have been in Reading a long time. Great resource!!

Written by the expert team of Jack M. Fletcher, G. Reid Lyon, Lynn S. Fuchs & Marcia A. Barnes, Learning Disabilities: From Identification to Intervention is an evidence-based presentation of cutting-edge information about assessing and dealing with learning disabilities, with especial focus upon reading disabilities (word recognition, fluency, or comprehension-related), mathematics disabilities, and written expression disabilites. Though more of a scholarly assessment and description of the latest findings than a "how-to" manual per se, Learning Disabilities is sure to prove an invaluable, up-to-date resource especially for educators with responsibility for learning disabled-children, as well as anyone recognizing the "unexpected underachievement" that often signifies LDs and staging an appropriate intervention. A logical-minded, information-packed compendium.

This is an excellent book for the professional, researcher or serious student of learning disabilities. It is chock full of relevant research and gives divergent views fully and fairly. It nevertheless takes a stand on the assessment of and treatment for learning disabilities that differs markedly from the traditional approach commonly found in school districts and private clinician's offices. It provides a very good way to understand this perplexing and challenging field with up to date research. Most importantly, this book provides a refreshing willingness to challenge dogma and to give specific guidelines for future research and, most importantly, to guide remediation.

Excellent read. This book is informative, balanced, and will be uniquely valuable to health and education professionals, and the public in general. Fletcher and his colleagues offer an expert analysis as to where the field of Learning Disabilities has been, and where it must go, if we are to help the many children who struggle each day, trying to learn. Fletcher and his colleagues are clear; the IQ-Achievement Discrepancy Model is invalid and should be laid to rest once and for all, before more children are excluded from the educational intervention they need. They offer instead a thoroughly 'common sense' model of 'Response to Intervention (RTI), a model that, if adopted, will substantially increase the number of children getting help, sooner, and at a lower cost. The authors clearly understand the complex dynamic of science, clinical practice, educational instruction, and public policy. All must be aligned to move the field of LD ahead, and Fletcher and his colleagues are positioned to foster that needed change with this impressive contribution.

This book explains the lithic forms and reduction seqences as clearly as anyone, and better than most. Definitely one for the archaeologists reference shelf, and good for students.

This is a must have primer for anyone learning about stone tool manufacture. Andrefsky adeptly informs the reader of all the major aspects of non-micro lithic analysis, and I plan to require this book if when I teach lithics in the future.

The best book on the authentication and dating of stone items I have ever seen. A complete guide suitable for study or browsing. I even read mine in bed!!!

Andrefsky, pulls together great narration and drawings that make complex physics look easy. This book will help any one understand what is involved in lithic tool production, and shed some light and interesting insight for those that consider themselves advanced in lithic tool study. This is a great addition to the cambridge books on archaeology.

Without question this is a wonderful book that addresses many of our personal, human problems, including how to deal and cope with them. This book is not just about sleep but about living a meaningful life. If you want a quick fix or magic bullet for sleep difficulties, look elsewhere. But if you want to examine your heart, mind, and even your soul, then you will find, like I did by following the suggestions given in the book, that "Live Well, Sleep Well" is an excellent guide to a sense of peace and tranquility. It's not entirely about the number of hours we sleep, but the quality of our sleep.

Live Well is a highly informative book and very "user friendly." It's not only about getting quality sleep, but about the quality of life, and how balanced living improves our lives. It's well worth your time and attention.

Ostensibly, Live Well, Sleep Well is about getting a good night's sleep, but it turns out to be much more. It truly is a "fully holstic" treatment of the subject of living well. The author's words will convince you more than any review like this one, so see for yourself and read the book. Also, note that here is a book by a true writer who is more than just an "author," which is evident from the quality of the writing.

Contemporary urban life is hallmarked by chronic and habitually insufficient and inadequate sleep for millions of people. In Live Well, Sleep Well: The Holistic Way To A Good Night's Sleep, Dan Campbell addresses this epidemic health problem by surveying modern sleep research in conjunction with the information on sleep in the Edgar Cayce readings. Campbell reveals why we need sleep, what happens when sleep suffers, and how to improve sleep through a blend of modern medicine and the spiritual/health advice to be found in the Cayce readings. Practical, in-depth, meaningful, insightful, and "user friendly", Live Well, Sleep Well is very highly recommended reading for the non-specialist general reader seeking to directly address a need for an improved and more refreshing sleep.

I used Patterson's workbook with my two sons with great success. They are now over 40 years old and I'm buying the book for them to use with their children. My kids turned out to be wonderful human beings and they are great parents. I know Patterson's ideas will be helpful to them too.

I first encountered this book while working on my masters degree in counseling. It was one of the required "text books" for my Child Development Class. I have used the principles presented in the book with my own children with great success, and have recommended it to many other parents. As a guidance counselor in a grade 7 throught 12 school, I continue to recommend this book to the parents of our students who need some practical advice on changing their child's behavior in a positive way. Patterson provides straight forward, easy to understand strategies which are easily implemented by average parents -- no psycholygy degrees reguired.

Gerald Patterson and his colleagues have been researching families and effective parenting practices for well over 20 years. Living with Children gives a clear, concise explanation of reinforcement principles as applied to child behavior management. This book belongs in every parent's resource library along with Your Child's Self-esteem and Why Children Misbehave and What to Do About.

Are you a new parent hoping to raise a well-behaved child from the start? An experienced parent trying to correct day-to-day behavior problems in your son or daughter? A teacher or coach struggling to manage a group of children, or improve the behavior of an unruly child? This short, easy-to-read guide is the best I've found at presenting basic behavioral management principles in a clear, simple, and engaging manner.

Although the book is directed at parents, many others will find it useful. The first few chapters, such as "Social Learning," "How Can We Use Reinforcers?" "Children Train Parents," and "Retraining," make basic concepts clearly understandable to anyone learning them for the first time, and remind those who are well versed in learning theory of the sometimes-overlooked principles important in practical applications. The concept of Accidental Learning (or Training) is especially useful to anyone trying to correct misbehavior.

As a Clinical Psychologist I have used this book with parents seeking help in changing the misbehavior of their children, and with teachers learning to manage the behavior of difficult students in the classroom. I have also found it useful in reminding myself, as a mother, to keep basic principles in mind while raising my own children. It should be required reading for every parent!

- Dr. Lynn Daugherty, Bestselling Author of the Award Winning Classic Why Me? Help for Victims of Child Sexual Abuse (Even if they are adults now), Fourth Edition

Rene Chartrand provides in this series an insightful look into the French army of this period, its formations and basic organization as well as the caliber of its troops, with great detail to its unforms which are well illustrated by Eufene Leliepvre.

Truly on an organizational level the French army is quite impressive though its performance a shadow of what it had been under its previous monarch.

This book provides a lot of information about French Colonial and Naval troops that would be very hard to find anywhere else. A must read for any French and Indain War New France reenactors.

All five books in this series are magnificent. What makes them great is that they are not in the usual Osprey fashion. Their is no chronology of dates at the begging taking up space; Chartrand jumps right in with organization details, tactics, equipment, armament, and each regiments uniform distinction as it changed through Louis XV reign. The plates are outstanding. Usually for Osprey their only three figures per plate. Not here, 5 and more a plate. With that number it's not cluttered and doesn't detract from the detail. On a last note, I will never have to buy anything else to help me paint my Seven Year War French figures.

This is an interesting, highly accurate work, as are all of Rene Chartrand's books, which covers a period not usually well-covered, or covered at all. The addition of Maitre Eugene Leliepvre's lively, accurate, and colorful artwork only adds to the value and accuracy.

The early history of French light troops is one of trial and error, fits and starts, that tried to catch up to the excellent light troops of the Austrian army that so troubled the French throughout the early and mid eighteenth century. Here in all their Gallic splendor are the regiments of foreign born hussars, dragoons, uhlans, and whatever else the imaginative, energetic, and not always efficient soldiers thought up to raise and send into the fire in central Europe.

Told in a descriptive and accurate fashion, the book is a must for every afficionado of the period. It is also a very good introduction for the later Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods where the French light troops came into their own and began to dominate battlefields.

The addition of Eugene Leliepvre's superb artwork is a definite plus for the book, and ensures it will be used for years to come. This book belongs on the shelf of every enthusiast of this period and the later Napoleonic and revolutionary periods.

This book is a gold mine of the nuances of the on-going development of maneuver war doctrine. Read it if you want to see the future of combat on the battlefield.

This is a must read book for combat arms officers. It explores many of the fundamental concepts involved in maneuver warfare, and why small, agile armies usually beat bigger, slower enemies. The arrangement of various topics covered by several authors results in an interesting and intriguing read. Far superion to Leonhards similar maneuver book. The only books that explore this important topic as well are "Maneuver Warfare Handbook" by Bill Lind, and the superb "Warfighting" by Hayden. If you are an Army officer or Marine officer this needs to be on your shelf.

"Maneuver Warfare: An Anthology", edited by Richard D. Hooker, Jr., although aimed largely at an audience intimately connected to, or embedded in, the US military system, is a worthy read for almost any serious student of military history. What makes this book worth reading? Two issues in particular: 1) it's relative breadth of coverage of the topic at hand, namely the value of maneuver warfare as a doctrine for the US Army to adopt, and 2) as a piece that clearly illustrates one of the BIG issues facing WWII military historians and readers, namely Wehrmacht envy.

In terms of breadth of coverage of the topic of maneuver warfare, Hooker has assembled a vast expertise of contributors to this anthology. The reader is treated to discussions on theory, history of maneuver warfare (both infantry and armored), psychology of war, teaching of warfare doctrine, and 'evolutionary' processes necessary to implement such doctrine within the US Army institution. Each of the chapters presented have inherent value though readers are likely to 'enjoy' more some than others. This reviewer found the chapter on the psychological aspects of warfare interesting but at times a bit too soft-science to take away any great wisdom. Unfortunately not all is 'milk-n-cookies'. For example, while the Introduction suggests that the reader will be treated to varying view points, both in favor and opposed to adoption of maneuver warfare as doctrine in the US Army, in reality all but a single chapter are VERY pro-maneuver warfare. This leads us to the second 'value' of "Maneuver Warfare" as a book for broad audiences - illustration of Wehrmacht envy.

Wehrmacht envy may not be familiar to all readers so a brief description is worthwhile. In its most basic sense Wehrmacht envy can be characterized as the holding of the German army of WWII (the Wehrmacht) up above all others in history as having a clear sense of tactical and operational level control. In the context of maneuver warfare, nearly all of the contributors to the present book hold the vaunted Wehrmacht up as absolute masters of maneuver warfare; if you will, the first modern practitioners of the doctrine proponents wish the US Army to adopt. It is important for the reader to attempt to separate the topic of maneuver warfare as a potential US Army doctrine from Wehrmacht envy whenever possible, or at least to be aware of issues of Wehrmacht envy. This reviewer is not suggesting that the Germans were not tactically and operationally proficient - they certainly were - or that they did not utilize maneuver warfare - they did; rather readers should be aware of a trend in modern military history (and even within the US armed forces ranks themselves) to idealize the German army of the Second World War as something much more than they were, while also downgrading (often, not always) the accomplishments of the US Army in WWII. It is hard to argue so forcefully for the implementation of maneuver warfare as US Army doctrine because outnumbered and outgunned forces can force defeat upon opponents because they utilize the 'idea of maneuver warfare' to attack enemy weakness (gaps) rather than strength (surfaces) to force collapse of the opposing force from within, while claiming that the Wehrmacht was defeated only by attrition warfare doctrine employed by the US Army who possessed overwhelming numbers and firepower but inferior tactical and operational control. This is truly the epitome of hypocrisy. Readers simply beware and approach the arguments with caution.

In the end, "Maneuver Warfare: An Anthology" is a solid 4 star read despite some of its taint (strong Wehrmacht envy).

Though written in 1993, the Anthology still stands especially when you read Col Bolger's warning that maneuverism will not work against a defense-in-depth and LTC Grossman's study on the psychology of war. The other chapters express the desire to collapse enemies with maneuver rather than try to attrit/wipe them out. What we need today is a sequel where we explain 4th generation war, how we need both forces that can collapse enemies with Air-Mech 3-D maneuver AND 2-D firepower/mechanical advantage to overcome enemies in cities; combining Bolger with the other authors into a stronger whole.

These authors are the best thinkers in the U.S. military today and it would be great to see them unite again with some of the new military theorists for a sequel.

Airborne!

This book is an excellent introduction and advanced resource for all those that wish to be a marketing research professional (or to those that just want to understand it). The authors present in-depth explanations of the field's theory populated with day-to-day examples.

I have read it attentively more than once and it was a very useful resource for two courses in my masters: 'Research methods in markets and in organizations' and 'Data Analysis in Marketing'. In both courses, the Professors were really weak, and I learned most of the topics thanks to the book. Some of the themes treated in the book are:

Part 1: Marketing Research, the Research Process, and Problem definition. Part 2: Determine Research Design. Part 3: Design Data-Collection Method and Forms. Part 4: Sample Design and Data Collection. Part 5: Analysis and Interpretation of Data. Part 6: The Research Report.

The book fits academic as well as industry readers and the content justifies the price.

An excellent work both theory and analysis. Provides an insight about the math requirments for the Marketing Researcher. In certain areas it gives the basic ideas - pp 752,753 - Fig.13.1 Histogram and Frequency Polygon of Incomes of Families in Car Ownership study. The Preface states- this edition, is designed to avoid such extremes by providing the student with a thorough treatment of the important concepts, both simple and complex - This aspect is proved in every section of the book. Really it will help the student to develop their creativie and analytical marketing skills. A very good work.

This is the new edition of the book we used in the marketing research course at the Michigan Business School. It was great then and is even better now that they have tightened it up and slimmed it down a bit. It reads clearly, is focused, and doesn't pull any punches about the benefits, tradeoffs, and limitations of the various problems and methods involved in this subject.

Rather than focusing on decision support systems or marketing information systems, this book is focused on a project based approach. The authors help you recognize a problem, how to formulate it clearly, present it to decision makers for approval, designing the research to be done, data design and collection methods, they offer sample designs which is very helpful. They then do a fabulous job on data analysis and conclude by showing you how to present a proper research report.

There are several helpful appendices providing statistical values for those calculator based problems, but, really, who doesn't use a spreadsheet or SPSS or some similar package anymore?

There is also a glossary, a subject index, and an author index.

This is a standard text on the subject, and it is terrific.

This is a huge work of marketing research, both in terms of volume and importance. Although intended as a grounding in the foundations of market research, the book takes you further than that. As a result I was using it as a text at post-graduate level.

The book sets out to explain how to: Formulate your problem. Determine your research design. Design your collection method and forms. Design your sample and collect the data. Analyse and interpret the data. Prepare your research report.

It is then subdivided into sub sections. I was particularly impressed with the section on ethics, which was so clearly laid out that I used it as a guide when writing a pure ethics paper.

The book is amply supplied with examples and case studies to illustrate the text and make it useful in a more practical sense.

All in all a clear, accessible, well laid out and well indexed textbook.

Terry's book gives great insight into the Hispanic market - it's a must read for anyone who wants to learn more about developing a plan of action on reaching this lucrative market. I recently purchased several books on this topic, and this one was the first one I read. After doing so, I felt like I didn't have to read any more. She certainly points you in the right direction, and gives you a litany of things to think about.

Ms Soto does an excellent job of integrating her obviously extensive knowlege of and experience in hispanic marketing with a vital strategic framework. This book provides both the novice and the experienced a valuable opportunity to formulate and critique their own efforts and interests. This approach allows them to proceed from a solid footing rather than merely on the basis of the latest marketing fad.

The Hispanic market is the fastest growing ethnic segment of the U.S. population. Its purchasing power is projected to enter the trillions by 2007. Many American businesses are hungry to capture a piece of this exciting, lucrative market. Multicultural strategist Terry J. Soto provides a thorough account of the strategic planning process companies need to employ to understand and attract Hispanic consumers. She cautions that your strategy for marketing to Hispanics must be in sync with your overall business objectives. Soto explains how to conduct demographic and market research, analyze the competition and deploy your internal resources to reach this market. She also tells you how to muster the reports, tables and statistics you need to persuade corporate higher-ups that it is all worthwhile - although the complete marketing re-tooling she suggests may be over the top for many companies. She also favors marketing jargon, but if that is the language you speak every day, you'll sail right along. Soto doesn't focus on the creative aspects of marketing to Hispanics, but if you want a rundown on all the technical aspects, we recommend this complete manual.

Terry Soto's book is a no-nonsense, step-by-step approach for penetrating the Hispanic market. I have been attempting to target the Spanish-speaking market for my company for several years. I'm even learning Spanish to help me. But nothing has helped me understand and reach the Hispanic market more than this book. Be sure to have your highlighter and a notebook ready when you read this work of art by Terry Soto. Each chapter is filled with resources and tools that you will need to reach the Latino market.

Terry Soto also did an awesome job at educating the reader and helping the reader understand the history, culture, and ethnic components of the Hispanic market.