Learning how to do research well is not easy, and for newer scholars the process can feel overwhelming. Using clear and supportive language, this book is designed to help graduate students and early career professionals in psychology develop skills to effectively work through the research process.
 
Chapters cover the essential character traits and skills that are necessary to become an effective researcher, walk through the main steps for completing a research project from start to finish, and discuss considerations when building a career and research program.

Rather than the nitty-gritty of research methods, authors Joshua N. Hook, Don E. Davis, and Daryl R. Van Tongeren focus on the big picture of what is required in research. Chapters in the first section address overarching principles—the personal growth, attributes, and habits that are important to develop to become a successful researcher. The second section illustrates the key steps in completing a research project from start to finish, from formulating an idea for a project, to completing a literature review, collecting data, analyzing data, and writing up the results. The third section discusses developing a research program and transitioning from graduate student to professional—topics such as collaborating with others in research and mentoring students. This section is full of practical advice the authors learned from mentors and from personal experience.  

Written for people with a broad range of career goals, and with the mentoring relationship in mind, the book helps mentors and students form productive relationships that feel mutually beneficial and rewarding. Each chapter aims to help students and professionals along their research journey, and teaches them not just how to survive the process, but thrive.

This book is designed to help psychology grad students and early career professionals develop skills to effectively work through the research process.

Foreword
Everett L. Worthington, Jr.
Preface
Introduction: How This Book Can Help Build Research and Leadership Skills

I. Principles: Building Yourself Into a Successful Researcher
Chapter 1. Finding and Sustaining Motivation: Connecting Your Values to the Research Process
Chapter 2. Building Community as You Build Your Research Career
Chapter 3. Building Expertise in Research
Chapter 4. Setting Goals for Your Research
Chapter 5. Developing Good Habits for Successful Research
Chapter 6. Cultivating Positive Beliefs to Foster Research Success
Chapter 7. Nurturing the Mind–Body Connection to Support Productivity
Chapter 8. Navigating Adversity During the Research Process

II. Plan: The Research Project From Start to Finish
Chapter 9. Choosing a Topic for Your Research Project
Chapter 10. Conducting a Literature Review
Chapter 11. Designing Your Research Project
Chapter 12. Planning the Method Section
Chapter 13. Preparing for the Proposal Meeting
Chapter 14. Planning for and Conducting Data Collection
Chapter 15. Analyzing Data and Writing Your Results
Chapter 16. Crafting the Discussion
Chapter 17. Writing the Abstract
Chapter 18. Making a Conference Presentation
Chapter 19. Preparing Your Research Project for Publication

III. Program: Developing Leadership Skills and Jump-Starting Your Research Career 
Chapter 20. Stepping Into Leadership in Your Research Career
Chapter 21. Developing a Research Program
Chapter 22. Collaborating With Others in Research
Chapter 23. Making the Transition From Graduate Student to Professor
Chapter 24. Mentoring Students
Chapter 25. Balancing Cohesion and Inclusion in Teams
Chapter 26. Conclusion: Final Thoughts on Growing as a Researcher

Appendix: Sample Timelines
References
Index
About the Authors