This handbook aims to provide an introduction to scientific research in the field of Psychology and Education: it provides the basics of scientific methodology, presents the specific research methods used in these areas and teaches how to build and, especially, how to assess the quality of the instruments to measure psychological and educational characteristics or variables.

With a clear vocation for integration, the book is divided into three parts which are connected together within a transparent sequence, which makes the reader aware of the thread and the frequent connections between the various methodological areas addressed. Part I introduces the basics of scientific methodology; Part II deals with the construction, evaluation and application of measuring instruments and Part III with the research methods used in Psychology and Education (experimental, quasi-experimental, observational, surveys and qualitative).

The reader does not require a particular statistical training. With a simple and close expository style, it tells what is essential in an affordable manner without unnecessary simplifications. The book provides numerous features to aid learning, such as outlines, summaries, concept maps, solved exercises, commented bibliography, a glossary of terms and also includes calls to support material available on a CD-Rom, to deepen in some content described in the text or address issues that cannot be discussed in a work of this nature.