Research Methods: The Basics is an accessible, user-friendly introduction to the different aspects of research theory, methods and practice. This fourth edition provides new sections on artificial intelligence and comprehensive updates to the accompanying online resources to help support use of the book in the classroom. As such, it will continue to be an essential resource for students and practitioners in a wide range of disciplines including the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. It is structured in two parts; the first covers the nature of knowledge and the reasons for doing research, and the second explains the specific methods used to conduct an effective research project and how to propose, plan, carry out and write up a research project. This book covers * Reasons for doing a research project * Structuring and planning a research project * The ethical issues involved in research * Different types of data and how they are measured * Collecting primary and