This book is intended for upper-level undergraduate students and graduate students in their first research methods course in the social, behavioral, and health sciences fields. These students are the primary audience. But, lately, other disciplines have been introducing research methods courses to their curriculum, such as public policy, government, journalism, and related fields, and students there have been using Exploring Research as well. Exploring Research is intended to provide an introduction to the important topics in the general area of research methods and to do so in a nonintimidating and informative way. The existence of a seventh edition of Exploring Research means that the audience for a straightforward and unassuming presentation of this material still exists, and I believe that audience is growing. I'm grateful for those who have chosen to use this book.