Description

This text provides comprehensive coverage of research methods and statistics in a readable and student-friendly format.

A wide variety of methodologies—including descriptive, experimental and quasi-experimental research, historical studies, qualitative methods, and single subject designs—are covered. A complete range of research tools as well as descriptive and inferential statistics are also included, making this text the definitive resource for introductory research courses.

Research in Education is divided into three parts: Part I, “Introduction to Educational Research,” focuses on the purpose of research, hypotheses, ethics in research, developing a research problem, and writing proposals and reports; Part II, “Research Methods,” is unique in that it integrates chapters on qualitative research methods, historical research, and single-subject methods with the more typical chapters on experimental methods; and Part III, “Data Analysis,” includes both descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as examples of analyses using a computer.

Features

• Chapters on research methodology (Chs. 4-8) use real research studies as examples of the most important designs.
• Numerous examples and questions at the end of each chapter assist students in understanding how concepts are related to practice.
• Chapters on qualitative research cover a variety of types: ethnography, case study, phenomenological, etc.
• Published research articles follow each of the five methodology chapters (Chs. 4-8).
• Chapter on computer data analysis (Ch. 12) demonstrates how SPSS is used to calculate the statistics explained in Chapters 10 and 11. All three data analysis chapters use numerous examples to demonstrate statistics.
• Appendix B contains a data set that students can use in the chapters on data analysis (Chs.10-12).
• An emphasis on validity (Ch. 9) as a unitary trait that is consistent with professional (AERA) standards. This newer perspective views validity in a way that many books have not yet incorporated.
• Data analysis chapters (Chs. 10 & 11) include coverage of outliers and missing data.
• Unique discussion on how to combine qualitative and quantitative methods in a single study (Ch. 8) shows students how these methods interrelate.

New to this Edition

• Research Navigator journal article database and writing guide is available to all adopters and integrated with the text for ease of use through margin annotations and end-of-chapter exercises.
• Complete instructions on how to write a review of the literature are included and the section on Library Research has been updated to demonstrate technological advancements.
• Thorough update and expansion of Chapter 8, 'Qualitative Research,' provides a more balanced perspective to the text.
• An expanded section on meta-analysis in Chapter 5 strengthens this current methodology for students.
• Additional and more current research examples are used in the methods chapters (Chs. 4-8).
• A web page with Transparency Masters will be available to instructors electronically by contacting your local sales representative.

Table of Contents

Each chapter concludes with 'Summary,' 'Exercises' and 'References.'

 

Preface

 

I. INTRODUCTION TO EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH: DEFINITIONS, RESEARCH PROBLEMS, PROPOSALS, AND REPORT WRITING.

 

1. The Meaning of Research.

Why Should I Study Research?

The Search for Knowledge

Science

The Role of Theory

Operational Definitions of Variables

The Hypothesis

The Research Hypothesis

The Null Hypothesis (Ho)

Populations Sampling

Randomness

The Simple Random Sample

Random Numbers

The Systematic Sample

The Stratified Random Sample

The Area or Cluster Sample

Nonprobability Samples

Sample Size

Purposes of Research

Fundamental or Basic Research

Applied Research

Action Research

Assessment, Evaluation, and Descriptive Research

Types of Educational Research

 

2. Selecting a Problem and Preparing a Research Proposal.

The Academic Research Problem

Levels of Research Projects

Sources of Problems

Evaluating the Problem

Using the Library

Finding Related Literature

References and Bibliography

Fair Use of Copyrighted Materials

The Research Proposal

The First Research Project

Submitting a Research Proposal to a Funding Agency

Thesis Proposal

Ethics in Human Experimentation

   History of Research Ethics

   Regulations

From Regulations to Practice.

 

3. The Research Report.

Style Manuals

Format of the Research Report

Main Body of the Report

References and Appendices

The Thesis or Dissertation

Style of Writing

Reference Form

Pagination

Tables

Figures

The Line Graph

The Bar Graph or Chart

The Circle, Pie, or Sector Chart

Maps

Organization Charts

Evaluating a Research Report

 

II. RESEARCH METHODS.

 

4. Historical Research.

Purpose of Histroical Reseach on American Education

History and Science

Historical Generalization

The Historical Hypothesis

Hypotheses in Educational Historical Research

Difficulties Encountered in Historical Research

Sources of Data

Primary Sources of Data

Primary Sources of Educational Data

Secondary Sources of Data

Historical Criticism

External Criticism

   Internal Criticism

Examples of Topics for Educational Historical Study

Writing the Historical Report

 

5. Descriptive Studies: Assessment, Evaluation, and Research.

Assessment Studies

The Survey

Social Surveys

Public Opinion Surveys

National Center for Education Statistics

International Assessment

Activity Analysis

Trend Studies

Evaluation Studies

School Surveys

Program Evaluation

Assessment and Evaluation in Problem Solving

Descriptive Research

   Causal Comparative Research

   Correlational Research

   Follow-up Research

   Other Descriptive Research

Replication and Secondary Analysis

The Post Hoc Fallacy

 

6. Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research.

Early Experimentation

Experimental and Control Groups

Variables

Independent and Dependent Variables

Confounding Variables

Controlling Extraneous Variables

Experimental Validity

Threats to Internal Experimental Validity

Threats to External Experimental Validity

Experimental Design

Pre-experimental Designs

True Experimental Designs

Quasi-Experimental Designs

Factorial Designs

 

7. Single-Subject Exp