Research methods and applications for student affairs

351 Pages·2018·7.237 MB·English

by  J. Patrick Biddix

Praise for Research Methods and
Applications for Student Affairs
“Student affairs practitioners are faced with an environment in which they are
increasinglychallengedtodemonstratethattheirprograms,activities,andlearning
experiences contribute to student learning and growth through research studies.
Patrick Biddix has developed a thorough, comprehensive treatment of how to go
about answering this challenge. Whether readers are graduate students or long­
time practitioners in student affairs, this volume will provide an excellent
foundationforthemastheyseektoadvancetheirresearchskills.”
—John H. Schuh, Distinguished
Professor Emeritus, Iowa State University
“Research Methods for Student Affairs is an essential resource for student affairs
professionals interested in being consumers of and contributors to research in the
profession. By using practical language, the book provides a breadth and depth of
knowledgethatwillbenefitscholarsandpractitionersalike.”
—Darby M. Roberts, Director of Student Life Studies,
Texas A&M University
“Applying theory to practice in student affairs is critical to supporting college
studentsanddepends oneffectiveimplementationandunderstandingofresearch.
Whether one is a new or seasoned researcher or a practitioner who consumes
research, Dr. Biddix’s text supplies the essential tools to comprehend and execute
researchasbothaproductandprocess.”
—Gavin Henning, PhD, Professor of Higher Education
and Program Director, New England College;
President, Council for the Advancement of
Standards in Higher Education
“Patrick Biddix’s book is a must-have resource for any student affairs practitioner-
scholar trying to better understand the often “unconsumed middle” of research
articles—the methods and results/finding sections. This useful guide provides
concrete examples on how to read and dissect research articles by discussing
conceptsandmethodologicaltermsoftenfoundinthem.”
—Matthew R. Wawrzynski,
Associate Professor and Coordinator,
Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education,
Michigan State University
“Vicepresidentsforstudentaffairs/life,assessmentand researchpractitioners,and
master’s and doctoral students alike will benefit greatly from Research Methods and
Applications for Student Affairs. The practical and technical approaches to conduct­
ing research and applying it to practice is easy to understand and places a finer
pointontheimportanceofdata-informeddecisionmaking.”
—Melissa S. Shivers, PhD, Vice President for Student Life,
University of Iowa
“This book fills a large gap in the fields of student affairs and higher education.
Patrick Biddix makes the case for why research is critical to the field and at the
sametimeoffersexcellentadviceonhowtodoresearchwell.”
—Robert A. Schwartz, Professor of Higher Education,
Chair, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies,
College of Education, Florida State University
“Patrick Biddix weaves together clear explanations, examples from literature, and
perspectives from the field to address not only the how of research, but also the
what and the why. Comprehensive, practical, and context-specific,this intentionally
structured resource provides both practitioners and students with a guide to
understanding,using,anddesigningresearchinstudentaffairs.”
—Laura Dean, Professor, University of Georgia,
College Student Affairs Administration
“Research Methods and Applications for Student Affairs is a clearly written and useful
toolforstudentaffairsprofessionalscommittedtoevidence-basedpractice.Itserves
as a perfect supplement in graduate preparation courses, and is also a beneficial
bookforseasonedprofessionals.”
—Debora L. Liddell, Professor of Higher
Education & Student Affairs, University of Iowa
“In an era when the value of higher education is questioned, demonstrating
student affairs contributions to student learning and development has never been
morenecessary.Thisisamust-readforstudentaffairspractitioners.”
—Tricia A. Seifert, Associate Professor of Adult &
Higher Education at Montana State University
RESEARCH METHODS
AND APPLICATIONS
FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS

RESEARCH METHODS
AND APPLICATIONS
FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS
J. Patrick Biddix
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This book is dedicated to the in uences of
“ ”
Esther Lloyd-Jones and Alexander Sandy Astin,
fi
pioneeringmethodologists in the eld of studentaffairs,
for advancing research as fundamental for practice.