"A collection of the first five years of 'Piled Higher and Deeper,' a comic strip about life (or lack thereof) in graduate school, as it originally appeared in Stanford University's 'The Stanford Daily Newspaper' and online at phd.stanford.edu."--Amazon.com.

This book is designed to introduce doctoral and graduate students to the process of conducting scientific research in the social sciences, business, education, public health, and related disciplines. It is a one-stop, comprehensive, and compact source for foundational concepts in behavioral research, and can serve as a stand-alone text or as a supplement to research readings in any doctoral seminar or research methods class. This book is currently used as a research text at universities on six continents and will shortly be available in nine different languages.

Before the Beginning and after the End: An Educational Journey to the Reality of God frames an enduring set of questions about Gods nature with the authors memoir of his undergraduate and graduate journey through studies in biology. By pairing his accounts of study and query, Floyd Ernest Bell Jr., PhD, presents a work that is both personal and universal. Despite the great deposit of wisdom that he encountered in numerous classes, the author continued to carry with him questions that reached out to touch the unknown. Readers of Before the Beginning and after the End may find themselves asking these same questions: Where does matter come from in the first place? Was there a beginning? If so, what happened the day before? How do finite minds comprehend infinity? All matter occupies space and has mass, but when an organism dies, no space or mass is lost. Thus life is not matter. So, what is life? Would it be defined as the spirit? What is the conscience? Did it emerge through evolution? Do nonhuman species have consciences? What is the DNA code for a conscience? Before the Beginning and after the End invites you to step out with the author and to share his educational journey leading to the reality of God. In the course of this exploration, you will find yourself confronted with the questions that push against the boundaries of knowledge and experience and lead to a life-changing encounter with the truth of God

Featuring a highly interactive approach, this text is noted for its exceptionally clear and thorough coverage of how to conduct a functional behavioral assessment (FBA) through various assessment methods, how to diagnose the function of problem behaviors, and how to select a behavioral intervention that addresses the diagnosed function. The development of requisite behavior-analytic skills is aided by utilizing many "real-life" and hypothetical cases that represent common scenarios in applied settings. Highlights include: Interactive approach, icons in the text alert readers to review related narrated on-line lectures highlighting FBAs and treatments and complete assignments embedded in text. Numerous cases, many based on the author’s clinical experiences in working with children and adults in educational and mental health settings, provide a realistic look at applied behavior analysis. Forms, interview protocols, and intervention plans illustrate the process of creating behavior plans from collected assessment data. A pioneering classification system for categorizing the function of problem behavior (Cipani BCS). Cases that model the process of assessment, classification, and treatment used in an FBA, allow readers to role play and develop presentation and classification skills. New to this edition: Chapter objectives and BACB Standards that match the content to be covered with objectives from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) task list help readers master some of the skills required of behavior analysts. Assignments and discussion items with associated narrated Power Point lectures to further engage readers. Simulation Exercises to actively involve readers in collecting data, conducting an assessment, demonstrating the use of a function, or observing how to “shape” an alternate behavior. Self-Assessment exercises to help readers test their understanding of the content. The Cipani EO School Behavioral Interview Rating System to help in conducting interviews. The Cipani Replacement Function Classification System for determining the strength of replacement behaviors. Online instructor's resources including test items tied to the chapter objectives, a conversion guide for adopters, tips for creating a course syllabus and using the discussion questions and assignments, and the chapter objectives, the BACB standards, and assignments. Online student resources including narrated PowerPoints and video lectures. An ideal text for courses in (applied) behavior analysis, behavioral or emotional assessment or management, child psychopathology, or developmental disabilities taught in school psychology, special education, behavior analysis, psychology, or social work, anyone who assesses and treats patients with challenging behaviors will also appreciate this book.