This clearly written, easy-to-understand book demystifies the research process and provides a rational foundation from which to critique and understand research designs and applications in health care and human service settings. Divided into five parts - Introduction, Thinking Processes, Design Approaches, Action Processes, and Improving Practice Through Inquiry - it explores multiple research strategies, proposing that naturalistic and experimental-type research strategies have equal value and contribute in complementary and distinct ways to the science of practice. Content in this edition has been significantly expanded and updated to reflect changes in the field, specifically in areas of ethics, informed consent, practice efficacy, and proposal-writing. Key terms, chapter outlines, and exercise ideas in each chapter strengthen understanding of important concepts. Detailed discussions of qualitative and quantitative methodologies offer a unique, balanced focus and comprehensive coverage of research. Specific design strategies for experimental, naturalistic, and mixed method enable readers to compare, contrast, and integrate different designs. Understandable, down-to-earth writing style makes the information more accessible and relevant. 3 new chapters comprehensively address patient boundaries, sharing research knowledge, and practice efficacy. A new appendix provides informed consent documents for use in the practice setting. New and expanded content added to chapters reflects emerging practices and hot-button issues such as ethical considerations, practical considerations, new naturalistic inquiry designs, and more. More case examples interspersed throughout the text are identified with new magnifying-glass icons to alert readers to research dilemmas or potential problems they might encounter.