By Julia Mericle
Contributing Writer
Gregory Privitera, associate professor of psychology at St. Bonaventure University, was recently named 2014’s Most Promising New Textbook Award for his textbook titled, “Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences.”
The Text and Academic Authors Association, a not-for-profit national organization that collects the best textbooks from publishers across the country, presents the award annually.
Awards are presented in several categories, including all first-edition books in the behavioral sciences, which Privitera’s textbook was nominated for.
“The idea of the book is that it is research methods for researchers who do studies on human behavior,” Privitera said.
Although it was written with psychology and behavioral science fields in mind, the book has branched out to other academic areas including sociology, economics and business as well, according to Privitera.
Privitera said the honor was a surprise and a humbling experience.
“Seven years ago when I signed my first book contract, winning book awards wasn’t on my mind,” Privitera said, “I was just thinking that publishing a book would be the most amazing experience in the world.”
Taylor Phillips, a senior psychology major, said she recognizes Privitera’s ability to help his students succeed.
“Since the first day of class, it was easy to recognize the passion for teaching that sets Dr. Privitera apart from other professors,” Phillips said. “I was lucky enough to take Psychological Research: Statistics and Research Methods with him, which is a required class for Psychology majors. It can be difficult for students with the demanding coursework and concepts, but Dr. Privitera has an uncanny ability to identify the needs of his students.”
Phillips also said Privitera offers additional help with the use of his book in addition to in teaching methods.
“An important aspect of Dr. Privitera’s teaching style is finding innovative strategies to teach hard-to-understand material, which keeps students engaged,” Phillips said. “He offers many opportunities he gives students for extra help.”
This book does not mark the first for Privitera. It was preceded by his book titled, “Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences,” a first-edition book, which was published in 2012. Privitera noted he took on academic writing as a way to develop professionally.
“You end up learning as much from writing the book as you knew before you started,” Privitera said.
Privitera said he looks to the future in the hopes that he will have the opportunity to further expand on his work and write several more editions of his textbooks.
“I hope to be writing new editions of those books until I am old and gray,” Privitera said.
Phillips said Privitera dedicated time for this book to further help his students in this field of study.
“Dr. Privitera has spent a notable amount of time writing his renowned statistics and research methods books as a source of supplementary information for his students because he truly wants them to succeed,” Phillips said.
Privitera is also working on another book titled, “Getting Into Graduate School: A Comprehensive Guide for Psychology and the Behavioral Sciences,” which will be published by May.
The book takes the successes that Privitera has had with St. Bonaventure students and shares them in the book where he outlines a full, four-year plan for psychology students.
“It is wildly entertaining to watch my students become absurd success stories,” Privitera said.
mericlje13@bonaventure.edu
