Full Description
Introduction to Educational Research guides readers through the various steps of the research methods process to help plan and compose their first educational research project. Through comprehensive chapter content and in-text exercises, readers simultaneously learn how to prepare a research plan, gather and analyze data, address research questions and hypotheses, and organize reports of their projects. The book is practical and student-friendly; Dr. Craig A. Mertler uses a conversational writing style with non-technical language to help students clearly understand and apply research concepts with no prior familiarity with the principles, procedures, or terminology.
Contents
Part IChapter 1: What is Educational Research?Finding Answers to QuestionsThe Scientific MethodEducational Research-What It Is and What It Is NotEducational Research as a ProcessKnowing Your Specific DisciplineEducators as ResearchersChapter 2: Overview of the Educational Research ProcessIdentifying and Limiting a Research Topic or ProblemFormally Stating and Refining Research Question(s)Reviewing Existing Literature Related to the ProblemWriting a Literature ReviewDeveloping a Research PlanImplementing the Research Plan and Collecting DataAnalyzing the DataStating Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations in a Written Research ReportThe Educational Research Process-A Brief ExampleChapter 3: Identifying a Research ProblemIdentifying a Research Topic or ProblemNecessary Terminology Related to ResearchResearch Questions and HypothesesChapter 4: Ethics in Educational ResearchEthical Considerations in the Conduct of ResearchEthics in Qualitative versus Quantitative StudiesInstitutional Review BoardsFormal Preparation for Research with Human ParticipantsChapter 5: Reviewing Related Research LiteratureWhat is a Literature Review?Sources for Literature Related to Your Research TopicSearching the ERIC Online DatabaseSearching the Google Scholar Online DatabaseWriting Your Literature ReviewNot Just for Conducting Research-Valuable Sources for Professional DevelopmentPart II: Designing a Research StudyChapter 6: Qualitative Research MethodsCharacteristics of Qualitative ResearchThe Qualitative Research ProcessApproaches to Conducting Qualitative ResearchMore About Ethnographic ResearchMore About Narrative ResearchChapter 7: Quantitative Research MethodsCharacteristics of Quantitative ResearchThe Quantitative Research ProcessApproaches to Conducting Quantitative ResearchThreats to Validity in Quantitative DesignsChapter 8: Mixed-Methods ResearchCharacteristics of Mixed-Methods ResearchThe Mixed-Methods Research ProcessApproaches to Conducting Mixed-Methods ResearchValidity in Mixed-Methods ResearchStrengths and Limitations of Mixed-Methods ResearchChapter 9: Action ResearchCharacteristics of Action ResearchThe Action Research ProcessAction Planning and ReflectionValidity in Action ResearchStrengths and Limitations of Action ResearchChapter 10: Writing a Research ProposalPurpose of a Research ProposalGeneral Aspects of a Research ProposalComponents of a Quantitative Research ProposalComponents of a Qualitative Research ProposalPart III: Collecting and Analyzing DataChapter 11: Qualitative Data Collection and AnalysisSampling Techniques in Qualitative ResearchResearch Ethics in Qualitative ResearchQualitative Data Collection TechniquesCharacteristics of Qualitative Data: Accuracy, Credibility, and DependabilityQualitative Data Analysis TechniquesChapter 12: Quantitative Data CollectionSampling Techniques in Quantitative ResearchResearch Ethics in Quantitative ResearchScales of MeasurementQuantitative Data Collection TechniquesCharacteristics of Quantitative Data: Validity and ReliabilityQuantitative Data Analysis TechniquesChapter 13: Quantitative Data AnalysisQuantitative Data Analysis TechniquesPreparing Data for AnalysisSelecting a Statistical Analysis Software ProgramDescriptive Statistical AnalysisInferential Statistical AnalysisCautions In Using StatisticsPart IV: The Research ReportChapter 14: Writing a Final Research ReportImportance of the AudienceGeneral Guidelines for Writing a Research ReportPractical Guidelines for WritingAn Example of a Research Report
