Understanding and Applying Research Design by Martin Lee Abbott offers a fresh approach to integrating research design with statistical analysis. The book focuses on the processes of posing, testing, and interpreting research questions in the social sciences. Through real-world data analyzed using SPSS software, readers are guided through the overall process of science, covering premises, procedures, and designs of social scientific research.

The book is organized into three clear sections: Premises of Research, which introduces the research process and the capabilities of SPSS, including discussions on ethics, empirical generalization, and chi-square and contingency table analysis; Procedures of Research, which delves into key quantitative methods in research design such as measurement, correlation, regression, and causation; and Designs of Research, which outlines various design frameworks including survey research, aggregate research, and experiments.

By combining theoretical topics with practical application, this book provides a comprehensive guide for students and researchers looking to bridge the gap between research design and statistical analysis in social sciences.