The Psychologist as Detective: An Introduction to Conducting Research in Psychology by Randolph A. Smith and Stephen F. Davis is a textbook that teaches research methods by framing the process as a detective investigation, making it engaging and accessible for students. It covers the entire research process, from identifying a problem and gathering clues (data) to evaluating evidence and writing a report, using a conversational style with integrated activities and examples of student research to build critical thinking skills. The book is used for undergraduate courses in experimental psychology and research methods.