Full Description
Research Methods in Education introduces research methods as an integrated set of techniques for investigating questions about the educational world. This lively, innovative text helps students connect technique and substance, appreciate the value of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and make ethical research decisions. It weaves actual research "stories" into the presentation of research topics, and it emphasizes validity, authenticity, and practical significance as overarching research goals.
The text is divided into three sections: Foundations of Research (five chapters), Research Design and Data Collection (seven chapters), and Analyzing and Reporting Data (three chapters). This tripartite conceptual framework honors traditional quantitative approaches while reflecting the growing popularity of qualitative studies, mixed method designs, and school-based techniques. This approach provides a comprehensive, conceptually unified, and well-written introduction to the exciting but complex field of educational research.
Contents
Preface
Part I. Foundations of Research
1. Science, Schooling, and Educational Research
Learning About the Educational World
The Educational Research Approach
Educational Research Philosophies
Conclusions
2. The Process and Problems of Educational Research
Educational Research Questions
Educational Research Basics
The Role of Educational Theory
Educational Research Goals
Educational Research Proposals, Part I
Conclusions
3. Ethics in Research
Historical Background
Ethical Principles
Conclusions
4. Conceptualization and Measurement
Concepts
Measurement Operations
Levels of Measurement
Evaluating Measures
Conclusions
5. Sampling
Sample Planning
Sampling Methods
Sampling Distributions
Conclusions
Part II. Research Design and Data Collection
6. Causation and Research Design
Causal Explanation
Criteria for Causal Explanations
Types of Research Designs
True Experimental Designs
Quasi-Experimental Designs
Threats to Validity in Experimental Designs
Nonexperiments
Conclusions
7. Evaluation Research
What Is Evaluation Research?
What Can an Evaluation Study Focus On?
How Can the Program Be Described? Creating a Program Logic Model
What Are the Alternatives in Evaluation Design?
Ethical Issues in Evaluation Research
Conclusions
8. Survey Research
Why Is Survey Research So Popular?
Errors in Survey Research
Questionnaire Design
Writing Questions
Survey Design Alternatives
Combining Methods
Survey Research Design in a Diverse Society
Ethical Issues in Survey Research
Conclusions
9. Qualitative Methods: Observing, Participating, Listening
Fundamentals of Qualitative Research
Participant Observation
Intensive Interviewing
Focus Groups
Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods
Ethical Issues in Qualitative Research
Conclusions
10. Single-Subject Design
Foundations of Single-Subject Design
Measuring Targets of Intervention
Types of Single-Subject Designs
Analyzing Single-Subject Designs
Ethical Issues in Single-Subject Design
Conclusions
11. Mixing and Comparing Methods and Studies
Mixed Methods
Comparing Reserch Designs
Performing Meta-Analyses
Conclusions
12. Teacher Research and Action Research
Teacher Research: Three Case Studies
Teacher Research: A Self-Planning Outline for Creating Your Own Project
Action Research and How It Differs From Teacher Research
Validity and Ethical Issues in Teacher Research and Action Research
Conclusions
Part III. Analyzing and Reporting Data
13. Quantitative Data Analysis
Why We Need Statistics
Preparing Data for Analysis
Displaying Univariate Distributions
Summarizing Univariate Distributions
Relationships (Associations) Among Variables
Presenting Data Ethically: How Not to Lie With Statistics
Conclusions
14. Qualitative Data Analysis
Features of Qualitative Data Analysis
Techniques of Qualitative Data Analysis
Alternatives in Qualitative Data Analysis
Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis
Ethics in Qualitative Data Analysis
Conclusions
15. Proposing and Reporting Research
Educational Research Proposals, Part II
Reporting Research
Ethics, Politics, and Research Reports
Conclusions
Appendix A: Questions to Ask About a Research Article
Appendix B: How to Read a Research Article
Appendix C: Finding Information, by Elizabeth Schneider and Russell K. Schutt
Appendix D: Table of Random Numbers
Glossary
References
Author Index
Subject Index
About the Authors
