09 Research Methods

09.2 Methodology

Touliatos, J., & Compton, N.H. (1992). Research methods in human ecology/home economics. Ames IA: Iowa State U. Press, 556 pages.
ISBN 0-8138-0719-0.

Reviewed by Usha Chowdhary, U. Missouri

The authors have clearly defined basic, applied, and action research and established a relationship between service, theory and research methods. The book presents a human ecology model to reflect the multidisciplinary nature of the field. It can serve as an excellent text for a graduate level research methods course.
Touliatos and Compton present the cyclic and self-correcting nature of research and label it as a never-ending process continually repeated and refined from conception to completion. The authors define variables for a variety of types, contexts and scales. The role of planning in formulating and conducting research is reinforced time and again. Chapters on each step of the research process are well organized and include appropriate information for both budding and established scholars from creation to evaluation. Several examples are offered for survey research, use of existing data, and evaluation studies.
Information is provided to code, enter, and edit data. Data collection and analysis are described with several examples. The book offers an organization model and samples for developing and writing research proposals and research reports. Ethical principles related to various professional associations, legislation, equipment and technology, design, use of children, use of animals, and research sponsorships are described. Professional responsibilities for research are given special attention.