EXCELLENT RESEARCH METHODS is the 2018 Award Winning Book in Education/Academic/Nonfiction category in the 2018 NEXT GENERATION INDIE BOOK AWARDS that is sponsored by the INDEPENDENT BOOK PUBLISHING PROFESSIONALS GROUP in the United States. The Award Medals and Certificate are attached to this email. This book is absolutely for everyone who is truly interested in identifying and solving an important problem in human life. It has marshaled the entire step-by-step procedures for arriving at empirical solutions to any chosen problem. In virtually every research situation everywhere, for everyone in almost all spheres of human endeavor, at least some of the research methods and designs in this book will work perfectly well. There are no limits to what one can accomplish in knowledge discovery by mastering and correctly applying the research methods thoroughly articulated robustly in this book. Excellent Research Methods serves as a most satisfactory answer to the ever fresh and extremely important question on the minds of numerous persons that beyond introduction, what is research? It guides to ensure that research works are able to completely meet the noble global goal of research, which is problem resolution. Virtually, all pertinent information on research methods, in the best sense of it, is exhaustively presented in the book. Grab a copy, read it voraciously with undying passion to know, resolute determination to apply, and total commitment to execute research and be reckoned among the great individuals with enormous indelible extraordinary contributions to knowledge advancement.

The sixth conference of the International Society for the Empirical Study of Literature, or IGEL, was held in August 1998 in Utrecht, Holland. The conference brought together a wide range of scholars concerned with understanding the place and role of literature in its social, historical, psychological, linguistic, and other dimensions, and who seek to advance our knowledge through empirical methods or more effective theoretical perspectives that may lead to empirical research. This special issue is based on papers from this conference, and represents just a small part of its rich variety.

Global Business Leadership discusses the urgent issues facing global business leaders and presents seven strategies found necessary for successful intercultural business ventures. It provides business professionals and students with insight into the failure of businesses to prepare leaders for stepping into complex cultural contexts. The Geoleadership Model developed by Dr. Wibbeke is applied to global business situations using cases taken from leading companies such as Google and eBay. The book uses a case study format to present salient issues related to intercultural leadership and then principles of the model are applied to the case in discussion format. The concepts of care, communication, consciousness, change, capability and others are analyzed in relation to how each concept is seen in different parts of the business world. Each chapter concludes with a "bottom line" example of how each Geoleadership concept directly affects business results. Global Business Leadership also provides instruction about entry into cultural contexts, negotiating, preventing and managing cultural-based local-global conflict, and preparing global leaders to increase intercultural awareness and sensitivity. Dr. Wibbeke founded and managed the leading Internet website (Web of Culture) for cross-cultural information on the Internet and shares such global experiences with other would-be globetrotters.

Planning Research in Hospitality and Tourism provides a concise and clear approach to planning research projects which are a necessity in most hospitality and tourism courses taught at degree level. The text considers the particular characteristics of the hospitality and tourism industry, whilst providing a balanced approach toward both quantitative and qualitative methods of research. The text also carefully considers the international aspect of the industry and the people it employees, which supports the books aims of: * Providing an excellent understanding of the basic principles of conducting research, in a straight forward “no nonsense” guide * Carefully considering the particular characteristics of the hospitality and tourism sectors in relation to embarking on a research project in the area * Including in each chapter an “International Dimension” section, as well as case studies, questions and reflections on the research process

Practical, effective, evidence-based reading interventions that change students' lives Essentials of Understanding and Assessing Reading Difficulties is a practical, accessible, in-depth guide to reading assessment and intervention. It provides a detailed discussion of the nature and causes of reading difficulties, which will help develop the knowledge and confidence needed to accurately assess why a student is struggling. Readers will learn a framework for organizing testing results from current assessment batteries such as the WJ-IV, KTEA-3, and CTOPP-2. Case studies illustrate each of the concepts covered. A thorough discussion is provided on the assessment of phonics skills, phonological awareness, word recognition, reading fluency, and reading comprehension. Formatted for easy reading as well as quick reference, the text includes bullet points, icons, callout boxes, and other design elements to call attention to important information. Although a substantial amount of research has shown that most reading difficulties can be prevented or corrected, standard reading remediation efforts have proven largely ineffective. School psychologists are routinely called upon to evaluate students with reading difficulties and to make recommendations to address such difficulties. This book provides an overview of the best assessment and intervention techniques, backed by the most current research findings. Bridge the gap between research and practice Accurately assess the reason(s) why a student struggles in reading Improve reading skills using the most highly effective evidence-based techniques Reading may well be the most important thing students are taught during their school careers. It is a skill they will use every day of their lives; one that will dictate, in part, later life success. Struggling students need help now, and Essentials of Understanding and Assessing Reading Difficulties shows how to get these students on track.

The rapid change that higher education is undergoing is impacting all of the core mission elements: teaching and learning, research, service, and engagement with the external world (e.g., community engagement and health care delivery). Navigating this environment requires understanding of the underlying dynamics, with particular attention to how the issues are affecting the directions higher education will take. The main focus of the book is on teaching and learning (Section 3), with Sections 1 and 2 providing important context for understanding dynamics affecting how we can achieve our goals in teaching and learning. The section on “Institutional Culture, Structure, and Public Engagement” addresses issues such as promotion and tenure, interdisciplinary collaboration, dissemination and archiving of research outcomes and data, student engagement with community development, and evaluation of research projects. Section 2 on “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” goes far beyond the usual “diversity discussion” to include addressing faculty racial disparities, intersectionality, and “parity in participation.” Then, Section 3, “Teaching and Learning” focuses on out-of-the classroom teaching and on technology enhanced learning, all with many connections to Sections 1 and 2. The intended audience includes both academics and professionals (e.g., faculty and students in departments of higher education, anthropology, and education policy). Higher education leaders, administrators, governing board members, and many others will find the book helpful in providing insight into the future of higher education, especially as it concerns instruction and learning. The book will also be of use to professionals outside higher education who work on policy issues, on meeting the needs of employers, and on preparing students for applying knowledge in their personal lives. Praise for Paths to the Future of Higher Education: "Higher education in the United States is currently undergoing a transformation as a result of unprecedented pressures. Disruptive forces such as rapidly evolving technology, eroding financial support for public universities, proliferation of forprofit entities, changing expectations of students and employers, our country’s reckoning with its history of racism and white supremacy, as well as the politicization of higher education demand changes in systems hundreds of years old. The recent COVID epidemic has forced a radical change in the delivery of higher education – will we ever return to our old ways?" Daniel L. Clay, PhD, MBA Dean and Professor, College of Education, University of Iowa "One of the great challenges facing higher education today involves the changes that are necessary in the fundamental activities of teaching and learning to respond to changing social factors such as diversity, internationalization, the rapid evolution of technology, and unpredictable social needs (e.g., COVID 19). Brian Foster and his colleagues have assembled an important collection of papers on this subject, the future of teaching and learning at the higher education level, in part from an anthropological perspective, but also within the important context of our changing world. As such, the book provides a valuable insight into the perspectives that both faculty and their institutions need to address the changes in their most fundamental roles in providing teaching and learning for future generations." James J. Duderstadt President Emeritus, The University of Michigan

Latent Variable Models: An Introduction to Factor, Path, and Structural Equation Analysis introduces latent variable models by utilizing path diagrams to explain the relationships in the models. This approach helps less mathematically-inclined readers to grasp the underlying relations among path analysis, factor analysis, and structural equation modeling, and to set up and carry out such analyses. This revised and expanded fifth edition again contains key chapters on path analysis, structural equation models, and exploratory factor analysis. In addition, it contains new material on composite reliability, models with categorical data, the minimum average partial procedure, bi-factor models, and communicating about latent variable models. The informal writing style and the numerous illustrative examples make the book accessible to readers of varying backgrounds. Notes at the end of each chapter expand the discussion and provide additional technical detail and references. Moreover, most chapters contain an extended example in which the authors work through one of the chapter’s examples in detail to aid readers in conducting similar analyses with their own data. The book and accompanying website provide all of the data for the book’s examples as well as syntax from latent variable programs so readers can replicate the analyses. The book can be used with any of a variety of computer programs, but special attention is paid to LISREL and R. An important resource for advanced students and researchers in numerous disciplines in the behavioral sciences, education, business, and health sciences, Latent Variable Models is a practical and readable reference for those seeking to understand or conduct an analysis using latent variables.

Approaches to Research in Child and Youth Care in Canada is a fundamental text for child and youth care programs with the aim of making research methods more approachable to students. Priscilla Bengo breaks down foundational research methods in an accessible way and explores the roles of objectivity and logic in sound decision making in child and youth care practices. Opening with the core functions of scientific inquiry in the field, Bengo introduces students to the ethical, political, and cultural contexts of child and youth care research and provides the tools to become a culturally competent researcher. Students will gain a thorough understanding of problem formulation, measurement, and data collection methods for large data sources, and how to work with both qualitative and quantitative data. Grounded with practical examples and exercises throughout, Approaches to Research in Child and Youth Care in Canada is a must-read for research methods courses in child and youth care programs that will build integral research skills for students in child and youth care, social work, and the programs focused on the helping professions.