Full Description
This text helps students learn how to select, read, understand, and evaluate the research they read. Many texts focus on the process of conducting research and not as much on how students in applied disciplines can assess and apply that research in their future professional lives; this text aims to fill that gap. Organized in the same way as a research article, the book includes a chapter on literature reviews and research questions, followed by three methods chapters (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods), and a chapter on research conclusions and implications. The book includes a wealth of pedagogical features including Learning Objectives, Check Your Understanding questions, a Guided Application exercise in each chapter, suggested further reading, and a glossary. Three research articles, used as exemplars throughout, are included in the appendix to the book.
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview
Organizing Terms and Concepts
Why Scientific Literacy Is Important
Nature of Data-Driven Research: Introduction to Research Methods
Conclusion
Chapter 2: Introduction and Overview of Data-Driven Articles
Searching for Scientific Evidence
How to Cull Through Data-Driven Articles
Sections of Data-Driven Articles
Results
Conclusion
Chapter 3: Literature Review
What Is Involved in the Construction of a Useful Literature Review?
What Are Some of the Potential Goals of a Literature Review?
What Is in the Literature Review?
Conclusion
Chapter 4: Methods and Results: Quantitative Approaches
Overview
Quantitative Methods
Putting It All Together
Chapter 5: Methods and Results: Qualitative Approaches
Overview
Qualitative Methods
Looking Out for Rigor
Putting It All Together
Chapter 6: Methods and Results: Mixed Methods Approaches
Overview
What Are Some Benefits Associated With Mixed Method Research?
What Are Some Purposes of Mixed Method Research?
Integration in Mixed Methods Research
Looking Out for Rigor
Chapter 7: Putting it All Together - Discussion, Conclusions, and Implications
Overview
Ending a Research Article
Putting It All Together—Reading and Evaluating Research From Start to Finish
