Research Books

I really liked skimming through it. I didnt get a chance to use it, since it was the wrong book for my class. But i did glance through it, and its great for someone who is trying to write properly.

English and writing are not my favorite subjects. I am taking college classes and this book has helped me immensely. It is written very clearly and detailed with easy to understand examples and essays. It has helped me to become a better writer. You will learn how to handle writing assignments and be given examples of different methods to consider. There are specific pointers, suggestions and tips to help you when you get stuck in your writing. It has written informal discussions about writing that answer questions of other students. It is not a standard English textbook. It is written in a way that holds your interest and between the serious to the humorous, you will retain more of what you read.

I teach freshman composition at a community college and found this book invaluable. I actually shun the required book and have adopted this for my class. I use it for suggestions, as a reference - and my students love it. It's a very easy read and extremely helpful. I also really love the way it is divided into the different rhetorical styles of writing. It also has great examples and tips. I highly recommend this book!!!

This book is good for ESL student. It can tell you how to write a nice artical. And it can make you have a great improvement in English writing.

This is still the most engaging and comprehensive book on re-connecting with you family of origin. Marvelously researched and documented of a broad range of fascinating family histories.

This is an incredible book, and a must have for anyone who is planning on researching their family history. The book demonstrates several family trees of famous people, and they are accompanied by their stories of loss, emotional abuse, and relationship patterns and coincidences. Each chapter also ends with a series of questions designed to help the readers uncover their family history and secrets from their family. It is a fun, inspirational, and informative book accessible to all readers.

This is a wonderful book. You won't see many family therapy jargons here. Insead, Monica McGoldrick delicately uses famous people's biographic stories to illustrate the complex intergenerational family systems dynamics. Ths book is easy to read. It is suitable for various kinds of readers. If you want to explore into your family history to better aware of what impacts your family have on you, this is for you. The book offers a lot of lively examples and tips on how to construct your own family genograms. You will experience the incredible power of the family systems, and also the intertwined influence of larger social-cultural-historical context. if you are a family/marriage counselor, the book is a necessary resource for you when you are dealing with the clients' family of origin issues. If you are simply insterested to delve into famous people's lives, the book also can satisfy your curiousity. It explains how family patterns accross generations would shape those people's personality characteristics and relationship patterns. I highly recommend this book to all mental health practitioners, and all who want to improve your life and get a better understanding of yourself!

McGoldrick examined many of the central concepts of Bowens systems theory and how these concepts are illustrated vividly from many historical families. The book offers a ethnographic lively application of family therapy concepts! It is a must read for students of family therapy.

Nice book for most engineers that need direction on which stat to use. I have it on my work desk and great when needed a few times a month.

I had Rae Newton for the graduate methods course(s) at CSU Fullerton (502A and 502B). I have used this book many times to answer all of my questions (of course, when Dr. Newton was not available.) In short, I think this book should be used in all methods/stats classes. It really gets to the point and does not waste too much time with all of the formulas. I think it is meant to be used as a guide for non-math/statistics people who are using statistical packages like SPSS. It makes statistics understandable.

As social science researchers we want to know three things:

1. Can we detect a relationship?

2. Can we define the strength of the relationship? and

3. Can we cognitively make sense of the relationship?

Other authors touch on Statistical Power and leave you hanging. Newton and Rudestam open your eyes to something going on out there in the research world that is very leading edge. They expanded me statistically and brought me through a place I've NEVER been before. I think I've got a total of about 7 hours into it now!

We, social scientists love to focus on the Type I error...its like Type I diabetes, an epidemic! Newton and Rudestam (p. 83) say, "A finding of statistical signficance means only that the true population effect is probably NOT zero, but typically it is misunderstood as indicating that the study is of substantive significance. A finding that a study is not statistically significant means that we have insufficient evidence to conclude that an effect is present, but it is often misunderstood to mean that the absence of an effect has been demonstrated." Read that about 7 times until you get it and you can call yourself a statistician!

Newton and Rudestam (Chapter 4) go into some really DETAILED explanations of the issues of researchers being enamored with and stopping with simple Type I error analysis. They define a series of studies (p.71) and say, "Sadly, the literature offers copius evidence of how research studies in the social sciences are underpowered for detecting all but very large effects." In order to get to a good statistical power level of .8 or higher you have to have some big samples sometimes. It depends upon the effect size of the population itself which you are modelling.

Bottom line is this "One cannot conclude the findings are large or important based on the significance level." (Newton, Rudestam, p.88). What they go on to explain very well is that you have to know the power of your testing, you have to estimate the effect size, you have to know if you sample size gives you the power you need. If you don't, you are one of the social scientists who are apparently so enamored with Type I testing that, "...rejecting a null hypothesis is akin to rejecting the proposition that the moon is made of green cheese." (p. 87)

As you can tell, I needed this book for its treatise on Power. But, you will find a great deal of other gems in this book. The authors have made it a "one stop shop" for statistical questions. If you have had a bit more than a basic stat class and need to think through stats for research methods so that you won't be seen as an idiot by your scholarly community, BUT THIS BOOK and dog ear it. I am doing just that with it.

I'm doing research in second language acquisition for my dissertation and have been struggling with everything related to statistics. It seems like every time I answer one question, three more pop up in its place. The statisticians I consulted with on campus were of no help because they couldn't translate their expertise into language that non-experts could understand, or they weren't familiar with more complex methods like general linear models. And I can only pester my dissertation advisor with stupid questions so many times. :) This book answers clearly and definitively almost all of the questions that I have posed to real, live statisticians and have not received satisfactory answers to. The title doesn't lie: it really is like your own, 24/7, personal consultant.

Some of the features that make this book so handy include a step-by-step worksheet/matrix for choosing statistical tests, followed by explanations of the assumptions and logic for each test plus issues in interpreting the results. The variety of clearly presented examples help to conceptualize difficult ideas and apply them to your own research. I'm almost 100% math-impaired, so I was stunned to understand the mathematical assumptions for each test that were described in the book. It also made clear for me for the first time how to interpret some of the graphs, plots and output charts that have confounded me in the past.

Before buying this book I was concerned that even it might be over my head because my exposure to statistics is limited to a two-week survey in a research methods class. However, the clarity and depth of the explanations in this book were just what I needed to deepen my understanding and allow me to use what I learned in my own research. I especially appreciate that the book concentrates on the most common questions that the authors have encountered about each test instead of providing too much information that serves no practical purpose.

My only complaint is that the book doesn't cover more "cutting-edge" (at least in my field) and complex tests like structural equation modeling (oddly, there is an entry for this topic in the index but no page number, and it is missing from the text). However, it covers everything that most grad student researchers will need to know about statistical tests.

If you are an educator or social scientist looking for guidance on applying the type of information contained in this book to anlayses using SPSS software, I also recommend "Doing Quantitative Research in Education with SPSS" by Daniel Muijs.

I am a believer in Dr. Sears...I started out by purchasing the PACE book for myself and had such great success with the program. Could not believe how quickly I increased my stamina, reduced my body fat and just plain felt better. So excited that I found an exercise program that I could stick to with minimal efforts and maximum results I shared it with my family who to date has seen the same results. Because I was so impressed with Dr. Sears PACE program I decided to purchase Dr's Heart Cure and 12 Secrets to Virility for my Dad who has heart disease and diabetes. By slowly applying the principles of both books my Dad is now living a healthier and happier life. Dr. Sears gives sound, easy to follow and effective advice that anyone can do. I just purchased his new Sun book and can't wait to see what I can do to improve my health next. Please keep the books coming Dr. Sears, me and my family can't get enough!

My husband and I pretty much read all Dr. Sears' books...we think he's great. I bought this book in particular for my husband as what I feel is the perfect "men's health" guide. He liked it a lot and put it into practice right away. Well all I can say is he's doing great. I definitely recommend this book to any male over 40 who is looking to achieve a healthy life.

This book is a must read for both men and women. I initially read the book to see what topics affect men today, but then I realized this affects everyone. You see it everyday... Thirteen year old girls developed and appearing as if they are 21+ years old. Unreal! In learning how environmental chemicals and today's food can affect men so drastically it made me think what it is doing to me. This is a book to give to everyone to all your friends and family.

The 2000 World Market Forecasts for Imported Lenses, Prisms, Mirrors, and Other Optical Elements

The first inclusive book on the cutting-edge field of modern optics, optics marker and its applications.
For the first time, all the major aspects of forecasting optics market are covered in one book, comprised of original methods developed by experts at all of the world. We can apply to a lot of Methods for optical production and its application, expecting with application technologies and the market forecasts, and also for experimental studies and testing of optical products. The contributors also detail the three key approaches as follows: a various geometrical optics (ray-tracing) and the rigorous design based on modern optic industry. Methods of approaching Optical Elements is an estimable reference for experts in the aerospace industry, research and development institutes, optoelectonic industry, as well as students and university professors.

This book has many great ideas for sharing student work. You can use this for both fiction and non-fiction writing. The data disks were an especially big hit with my students.

I have used this resource for several years and have shared with my colleagues. I always tell them they can use any activity in their class except the lock book--that's my special treat. The kids always enjoy taking out scissors and rulers and are always happily surprised by the result. I've used many of these ideas and recommend this book to any teacher that likes hands-on approaches.

Wow! I am a strong believer in hands-on activities, and this book is filled with great ideas for using manipulatives in the classroom. If I give my students a sheet of paper and ask them to write a story, I am met by a chorus of "Awwwww!" But if I give them paper and ask them to make an accordion book or a circle book or a video camera, they often ask, "Can we have more paper?" This book includes many tried-and-true manipulatives as well as unique ones which I'd never encountered before. It also offers some terrific suggestions for displaying them in your classroom.

Pauli engaging, converstional writing style makes the application of Heidegger's toughest themes to current cognitive science research clear and exciting.

The earlier reviews fail to do justice to the depth and importance of this work. Pylkko's notion of aconceptuality, of nondogmatic, anomalous, or a-onto-theo-logical naturalism is highly complex, poetic, brilliant, relevant. It goes entirely against the standard ("dogmatic") scientific positions, although he does see quantum theory as harboring the possibility of moving beyond such dogmatic naturalism.
Just what all this means simply cannot be summarized. One needs not to read, but slowly and carefully study, this rich work itself.

This is a very controversial book, one which is not frightened to deal with some of the mind blowing consequences of holistic naturalism and quantum theory. The most controversial chapter deals with Fascism. Pylkko blows open wide the present debate on whether or not Martin Heidegger was a Fascist - a point that Pylkko says is obvious - by asking us not to simply re-review Heidegger's writings but asking us moreover to ask what Fascism REALLY is. For Pylkko, Fascism isn't merely about anti-semiticism and war-mongering - although they were 2 of its later consequences - but about a radical conceptual relativism! In a word, cultures can't ultimately understand one another; and this is more complex than Wittgenstein's notion of "forms of life", according to which one needs to understand the lifeworld of people not just their language. But the driving force behind Pylkko's argument isn't mere opinion, or yet more phenomenology, but a scientific view, a sort of meta! physics, or ultimately anti-metaphysics, based upon notions within the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum theory.

New Age bookstores are full of shelves devoted to developing social models derived from quantum physics, but Pylkko's book is the only book on this issue which is based upon a highly sophisticated philosophical argument. I highly recommend this book.

This is a fascinating book about a subject too few people know anything about. The book is extremely well written by a very thoughtful author. It's history but it reads like a novel. Excellent!

I re-read this book not long ago, and on a recent trip to Belgium, I made a point of taking a day to visit the places where the author was active during the war. This book made it all come alive.

I am only 3/4 through in 5 hours last evening. Will continue this evening! A page turner, and interesting learning: as Dr. Bodson learns, we too, learn. Recommend for ALL readers! Dr. Bodson was a professor of mine in college and his writing is as he speaks - concise and not to be forgotten after a first read (or listen.)

I borrowed the book from a family friend and could not put it down! I hung on every suspenseful turn. Mr. Bodson's account was brutally honest and extremely informative. I learned a great deal about the true face of the war and many detailed events I never would have imagined. I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in underground tactics or a love of war stories. An incredible journey!

"Allies and Adversaries: The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Grand Alliance, and U.S. Strategy in World War II" by Mark A. Stoler is a tour-de-force piece of military history, certainly of the highest academic standard. One can usually tell how 'serious' a work of military history is by what types of sources are used by the author for information and how many. Of the 380 pages of Stoler's book nearly 100 are set aside for 'notes' and bibliography - a more obvious sign of 'how much' research Stoler did would be pointless. So is this merely secondary sources and posturing? No not by a long shot. Stoler utilizes a variety of source materials, from unpublished works, to archival material, personal interviews, and published works (book and journal forms). As an academic scientist this reviewer can appreciate solid literature work and Stoler has certainly done that. Is "allies and Adversaries" merely a thoroughly researched book, or does it have literary flare and depth of new insight?

Let's address the literary competence of Stoler's work. The quick of it: solid but not lilting. Unfortunately many works of this 'academic' depth can be extremely dry and quite unreadable. Stoler's book is very readable. Yet, Stoler does a good job weaving an interesting story that brings together disparate sources into a prose that maintains the readers interest. This is not however to say this is a 'pick it up but can't put it down' book. The text is a bit dry but given the subject matter - strategy and statesmanship in the context of war - this may not be surprising. To his credit Stoler proves adept at keeping a good pace and telling a story that is enjoyable if not riveting.

So what about insights? Does Stoler's 'deep' research yield new information worthy of this depth? In short: probably. Clearly Stoler presents a thorough picture of how, when and why major (above theatre level) strategic decisions were made in the Second World War. Moreover, Stoler provides considerable information about who was making decisions and influencing those decision makers. Where the work suffers is from lack of much tangible information relative to the Soviet and British decision making processes. Stoler can probably be forgiven for the formers omission but certainly there is material to be had relative to the British side. A quick read of another work - "American Strategy in World War II: A Reconsideration" - centered on high strategy of WWII written shortly after the war by Kent Roberts Greenfield will clearly illustrate that the basic story presented by Stoler has been documented for decades. Where Stoler has added is in the depth of presentation. Plenty of new material is presented here, clearly justifying the legwork put into this study.

In the final analysis Mark Stoler has generated a very readable and extremely solid piece of historical literature. Serious students of WWII should consider picking up a copy of this book to see the bigger picture - that far beyond the foxhole that put men in the foxholes wherever and whenever they were. As a serious piece of historical work "Allies and Adversaries" is a 5 star effort.

Mark Stoler writes that the JCS became powerful in foriegn affairs as a result of World War II. According to Stoler in the early years of World War II the State Department took over the direction of national security due to internal divisions within the JCS. However the JCS managed to defeat the State Department in the laucnhing of Pacific Offensives in late 1942. Thereafter the JCS had greater influence in foreign policy as seen through the aquisition of the mandated islands for military use, against the wishes of the State Department, and plans for the deployment of American troops and bases in Europe to counter the perceived Soviet threat. I would highly reccomend this book to anyone whose interested in civil-military relations.

Allies and Adversaries is one of the most valuable works I have ever read about the Second World War. Its account of US-UK tensions during the war would make it noteworthy regardless, but even more impressive is Stoler's clear and objective account of the Americans' halting slide into military involvement between 1938 and 1941. I have never seen a more authoritative account of how the U.S.-U.K. alliance came to pass and how the war with Japan transpired. As regards the latter, Stoler lucidly explains the logic, twisted though it was, of the attack on Pearl Harbor. History viewed through the eyes of our enemies can teach us valuable lessons. A&A also fills in the historical portrait of Gen. George Marshall, providing a more incisive account of Marshall as (master) politician than I have found in the general's official biography and published papers. My forthcoming biography of Lt. Gen. Frank M. Andrews (for whom Andrews Air Force Base is named) will owe much to Stoler's account of the years leading up to Pearl Harbor, when a small number of American leaders quietly shouldered the burden of the world's future.

Very, very good reference guide to have on hand for checking planets, sun, moon placements for friends, relatives, and co-workers. It is also surprisingly easy to use and is an excellent tool to have on hand for astrological use.

What can I say? This is a definative tool for anyone doing any kind of astrology. It's a must have. Without an emphemeris, it's just not precise!

I've been teaching astrology since 1978 and have found over the years that students will always make fewer mistakes using a NOON based ephemeris rather than midnight based. If you're starting to learn the math for astrology this is a very good ephemeris to go with. Eventually you'll probably buy them all, because they all have pluses and minuses. Neil Michelsen was a Virgo's Virgo for accuracy and his numbers can be relied on.