Beth Morling's book "Research Methods in Psychology: Evaluating a World of Information" is a comprehensive guide to research in psychology. The book is divided into six parts, covering topics ranging from the fundamentals of scientific reasoning to the application of different research techniques. A major emphasis of the book is the concept of "three claims, four validities," which helps readers evaluate the quality of research by focusing on four main aspects: construct validity, statistical validity, internal validity, and external validity. Construct validity focuses on how variables are measured, statistical validity looks at the strength of the association between variables, internal validity focuses on the causes and effects of the association, and external validity considers the generalizability of the results to other groups and settings. The book also includes examples of how to use this framework to evaluate different types of claims, such as frequency claims, association claims, and causal claims. Throughout the book, Morling provides practical tips for conducting high-quality research, as well as detailed explanations of the importance of research ethics. The book also provides examples of how to interpret research findings, how to write reports, and how to use different resources to find reliable research information. In short, "Research Methods in Psychology: Evaluating a World of Information" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about psychology research, from students to professionals.

The text presents a detailed study guide and bibliography on the Quran, organized by sourate and verset. It includes references to works by various authors who analyze the Quranic text, exploring topics such as exegesis, textual criticism, history, language and biblical influences. The guide also highlights websites that regularly update their databases on recent Quranic studies, offering a useful tool for researchers. In addition, the text includes a section dedicated to the study of biblical and Quranic characters, providing references for research on topics such as the creation of Adam and Eve, the story of Joseph and the figure of Jesus.

This book on the philosophy of religion discusses the concept of aseity, the idea that God is independent of anything else. The author examines different dimensions of aseity, such as God's immutability, the non-modular nature of his mind, and the independence of accidental properties. He argues that aseity can be defended even if God is required to create the best possible world. However, the author also raises questions about the relevance of certain dimensions of aseity and whether they actually contribute to a more complete understanding of God. He ends with a note on the importance of not reducing God to a mere object of philosophical study and the need to keep God's personal and transcendent nature in mind.

"Positive Neuroscience," which brings together research on the neural basis of human well-being. The book is organized into three parts: "Social Connections," "Altruism," and "Resilience and Creativity." The excerpt focuses on the first part, exploring the role of touch in social communication and how the brain processes tactile information to form connections and promote well-being. In particular, the research highlights the importance of affective touch for the formation of social bonds, arguing that it is processed by neural pathways distinct from those used for basic sensory perception. The research also explores the relationship between touch and the development of parenting behaviors, investigating neural differences in parents and non-parents. The last section of the excerpt discusses how the human brain "resonates" with others, enabling emotional communication through mechanisms such as empathy and imitation.

An Insight into Ancient Moral Philosophy: Reason and Emotion

John M. Cooper’s “Reason and Emotion: Essays on Ancient Moral Psychology and Ethical Theory” is a compelling collection that delves into the intricate relationship between reason and emotion in ancient Greek moral philosophy. Through a thorough analysis of texts by Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Hellenistic thinkers, Cooper challenges the traditional view that ancient ethics was based solely on reason, revealing the complex interplay between cognitive and affective aspects of moral life.

The book is divided into three parts: the first covers Socrates and Plato, the second focuses on Aristotle, and the third explores Hellenistic philosophy. Cooper examines a variety of topics, including:

One of the central themes of the book is the challenge to Xenophon’s simplistic interpretation of Socrates. Cooper argues that Xenophon failed to grasp the philosophical depth of Socrates, presenting a superficial and distorted view of his ideas.

Another significant point is the analysis of specific passages from works such as Plato’s “Gorgias,” where Cooper investigates the relationship between rhetoric and ethics, demonstrating how Plato uses the figure of Socrates to express his own philosophical convictions.

Cooper also highlights the importance of moral psychology in ancient ethics, arguing that Greek philosophers recognized the crucial role of emotions, desires, and beliefs in shaping our character and guiding our actions.

“Reason and Emotion” is an essential read for anyone interested in ancient moral philosophy. Cooper offers a fresh and challenging perspective, inviting readers to rethink the relationship between reason and emotion in ethics and to deepen their understanding of the ideas of some of history’s most influential thinkers.

Research and evaluation in education and psychology : integrating diversity with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods

This episode is an excerpt from a textbook on research and evaluation in education and psychology, written by Donna M. Mertens. It provides a comprehensive guide to research methods, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches. The book is structured around different research paradigms, exploring the philosophical assumptions and methodological implications of each. The main paradigms discussed are positivism, constructivism, transformative, and pragmatic.

The text covers topics such as research design, literature review, data collection, data analysis, interpretation of results, and research ethics. It highlights the importance of considering diversity and inclusion at all stages of research, emphasizing the need to address issues of gender, race/ethnicity, social class, and disability. The book provides detailed guidelines for the application of different research methods, such as experimental studies, causal-comparative research, correlational research, case studies, qualitative research, and historical research.

The main goal of the book is to provide students and professionals in the fields of education and psychology with a solid foundation for understanding and applying different research methods effectively and ethically. The text emphasizes the importance of a critical approach to research, encouraging readers to question the assumptions, methods, and conclusions of previous studies. The book also explores the social and political implications of research and argues that research should be used to promote social justice and equality.

The book analyzes Paul's speech in Athens, described in Acts 17, as a model for presenting the Gospel in a pluralistic world. The author argues that Paul's speech in front of the Areopagus was a demonstration of how to communicate the Christian message in a contextualized way, adapting it to the worldview and values ​​of Greek culture. He examines the intellectual and religious situation in Athens at the time of Paul, the different philosophical groups present (Epicureans, Stoics and Platonists) and the culture of intellectual debate in the city. The book also discusses the importance of understanding and responding to other worldviews, such as relativism, religious pluralism, naturalism and scientism, which challenge the Christian faith. The author emphasizes the need to build bridges with other cultures and areas of knowledge, using reason, history and other areas of study, while defending the uniqueness and truth of the Gospel. He argues that Christian faith is not the enemy of reason and that philosophy and theology can complement each other.

Section 1: The Rise of HagarismSubsection 1.1: The Genesis of Hagarism (pp. 6-12)

This subsection introduces the concept of “Hagarism,” an early religion centered on Ishmael and the figure of Hagar. Hagarism is presented as a response to the dominant Christianity and Judaism, seeking to create a distinct religious identity for the Arabs.

Crone and Cook explore the Abrahamic roots of Hagarism, highlighting the importance of Ishmael, son of Abraham and Hagar. Ishmael is central to the religious narrative that legitimizes the position of the Arabs.

This subsection analyzes the evolution of Hagarism from its initial phase to the emergence of Muhammad as a central prophetic figure. The text examines how Hagarism influenced the beliefs and practices that would later be incorporated into Islam.

Subsection 1.2: Hagarism as an Abrahamic Religion (pp. 12-20)Subsection 1.3: The Trajectory of Hagarism (pp. 20-40)

The episode presented comes from the book "Demystifying Emotions: A Typology of Theories in Psychology and Philosophy" by author Agnes Moors. The text, which focuses on the definition and explanation of emotions, serves as a kind of guide to the various theories that attempt to understand how emotions work in the field of psychology and philosophy.

The book is divided into four stages of analysis of the theories: working definition, explanation, validation and scientific definitions. The working definitions, for example, explore the criteria that should be considered when defining emotions, while the explanations delve into the mechanisms behind emotions. The book also presents a taxonomy to classify emotions and the theories that study them, exploring the variety of emotions, the components that compose them and the conditions that influence their development.

The author critically analyzes the different perspectives, including evolutionary theories, stimulus evaluation, psychological construction and social theories. The main objective of the work is to provide a comprehensive and organized structure for the study of emotions, exploring their causes, mechanisms and impacts on our lives.

The book examines the rationality of science, examining claims that the scientific method cannot prove truth, that observations are theory-laden, and that theory choice is not meaningfully constrained by nature. The text also discusses the presumptions of science, its potential and limits, and its ethics. The book highlights the importance of a rigorous scientific method for the production of scientific knowledge, including the selection of an appropriate hypothesis, the collection of relevant data, and the application of sound logic and statistics. In addition, the text highlights the importance of science education, arguing that understanding the scientific method and its historical and philosophical context can foster a deeper understanding of and interest in science. The book also emphasizes the need for a sound scientific method for ethical decision-making, especially in research involving human participants and animals.