This collection of field research narratives from veteran social and behavioral science researchers acknowledges the unpredictability of managing a project, and candidly illustrates real-world problems and solutions. Unlike standard research tests, each chapter has practical import for the researcher, ties together extant literature, and illustrates the issues with concrete examples from the authors' own experience. The chapters each address one or more of the research stress points that many researchers have found concerning during their careers, and are loosely organized by the naturally unf ... More

This collection of field research narratives from veteran social and behavioral science researchers acknowledges the unpredictability of managing a project, and candidly illustrates real-world problems and solutions. Unlike standard research tests, each chapter has practical import for the researcher, ties together extant literature, and illustrates the issues with concrete examples from the authors' own experience. The chapters each address one or more of the research stress points that many researchers have found concerning during their careers, and are loosely organized by the naturally unfolding series of choice points and problems confronted during research projects and careers. The text is designed to supplement traditional textbooks on research methods for doctoral students, junior faculty, and research assistants in the fields of psychology, social work, psychiatry, and public health. The text covers scenarios such as: implementing a research project; creating an interdisciplinary research team; using consultants; hiring, training, and monitoring research staff and interviewers; developing the instrument; preparing data for analysis; budgeting; maintaining data standards; data archiving; navigating human subjects, IRB and ethical dilemmas; maintaining cultural sensitivity; efficacy and effectiveness trials for evaluating an intervention; influencing policy and practice; as well as disseminating results, sharing data, maximizing publications, and co-authoring publications.