Research

Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches
$55.95
My impression of "Research Design" is that Creswell sincerely wanted readers to understand how to conduct thorough research with confidence. While I focused more on the chapters on qualitative and mixed-methods research, the quantitative chapter was equally easy to understand as the more inquiry-based methods. As an education student, I've always feared doing quantitative research, however this book makes it as available and comprehensible as either of the other two methods discussed. However, I would venture to guess that if you were in a highly technical field, this book would not suffice to supply you with the complete methodologies to conduct quantitative research.
The author conveniently structures each chapter with the learner in mind. For each section of the book, Creswell supplies easy to follow steps and checklists for students and researchers to cover most angles of research. At the completion of each chapter (all of which are short and easy to digest), there is a small section on writing practice to provide practical application for the reader who might not have a professor to rely on for further instruction, or for the professor who wants an easy, practical assignment right from the text. I studied this book independently, and while I feel a second read through might be in order, it was absolutely easy to understand and useful in my independent study.
I recommend this book for its straightforward style and practical approach to conducting basic research.

The Craft of Research, Third Edition (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing)
$17.00
I was required to read this book for a class. I expected it to be relatively dull. It's not. It's a wonderful, straight-forward, humorous and enlightening introduction to "the craft of research." These authors have tremendous synergy and a wealth of experience among them. They write in a youthful and friendly tone, but with the incisive wisdom of elders. This book should certainly be a required read for any beginning researcher.

The Oxford Guide to Library Research
$19.99
An excellent, well-written book, which leads the reader to a method of accessing knowledge in a concise and timely manner. The author shares his experience of garnering subject matter in a straightforward way that makes maximum use of the reader's time.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Research Methods
$16.95
Information is presented in a clear and unfettered format. As a graduate student I found the book very helpful, especially, for locating databases. Students need more reference books like this.