Research Methods: Learning to Become a Critical Research Consumer

Research Methods thoroughly covers both quantitative- and qualitative-oriented research. Unlike many texts which begin with an introduction to research and then move directly to how to conduct research, this text develops critical thinking skills about research and is designed to produce knowledgeable and informed critical research consumers. Each chapter builds on the information in preceding ones to focus on the importance of research methodology and interpretation rather than many competitors' traditional coverage of statistical calculations and analyses. The thorough and extensive coverage of all research methods combined with a focus on critical thinking makes this text truly unique.

Table of Contents:
Most chapters include “Objectives,” “Overview,” and “Summary.” I.UNDERSTANDING RESEARCH. 1.Thinking Critically About Research. What Is Science and the Scientific Method? What Are the Purposes of Science? What Is a Scientific Theory? What Are the Types of Scientific Logic? In What Ways Do We Gain Information? What Are Constraint Levels in Educational and Psychological Research? What Are the Differences between Basic and Applied Research? What Is Replication Research? II.CRITICAL ISSUES IN RESEARCH. 2.Fundamental Issues for Interpreting Research. What Is Variability? What Is Internal Validity? What Is External Validity? What Are Statistical and Social Validities? 3.Reliability, Validity, and Interobserver Agreement. What Are Reliability and Validity Issues in Quantitative Research? How Do Researchers Assess the Reliability of Measurement Devices? How Do Researchers Determine the Validity of Measurement Devices? What Are Reliability and Validity Issues in Qualitative Research? What Is Interobserver Agreement? What Are the Methods of Establishing Interobserver Agreement? What Are the Factors That Influence Interobserver Agreement? What Are the Factors to Consider When Assessing Measurement Devices in the Context of a Study? III.QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS. 4.Basic Statistical Concepts and Sampling Procedures. What Are the Scales of Measurement? What Is a Univariate Frequency Distribution? How Can We Describe Data Sets? What Role Do Hypotheses Play in Research? What Are Parametric and Nonparametric Tests of Statistical Significance? What Is Statistical Significance? What Are Type I and Type II Errors and Power? What Are the Types of Statistical Significance Testing Methods? What Are the Different Sampling Methods? What Are the Sampling Decisions Researchers Make? What Is Sampling Error? 5.Experimental Designs. What Are True Experimental Designs? What Are the Most Common True Experimental Designs? What Are Factorial Experimental Designs? What Are Quasi-Experimental Designs? What Are the Common Quasi-Experimental Designs? What Are Preexperimental Designs? What Are the Types of Preexperimental Designs? When Should Researchers Use Each Experimental Research Design? Sample Article. 6.Causal-Comparative Research. What Is the Causal-Comparative Research Method? What Should Researchers Consider When Designing a Causal-Comparative Study? When Should Researchers Use the Causal-Comparative Research Design? Sample Article. 7.Correlational Research. What Is the Correlational Research Method? What Are the Issues in Designing a Correlational Study? When Should Researchers Use the Correlational Research Method? Sample Article. IV.QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS. 8.Qualitative Research: Methods. What Are the Characteristics of Qualitative Research? What Are the Differences between Qualitative and Quantitative Research? What Are Qualitative Research Procedures? What Is Understanding in Qualitative Research? What Are the Evaluative Criteria for Judging the Reliability and Validity of Qualitative Research? What Are the Types of Triangulation Methods? 9.Qualitative Research: Data Collection and Designs. What Are Field Oriented Studies? When Should Researchers Use Each Qualitative Research Design? Sample Article. V.SINGLE-CASE RESEARCH METHODS. 10.Withdrawal and Associated Designs. What Are Graphing Methods in Withdrawal Designs? What Are Withdrawal and Associated Designs? When Should Researchers Use Each Withdrawal and Associated Design? Sample Article. 11.Multiple-Baseline Designs. What Are Graphing Methods in Multiple-Baseline Designs? What Are Multiple-Baseline Designs? When Should Researchers Use Each Multiple-Baseline Design? Sample Article. 12.Additional Single-Case Designs. What Is a Changing-Criterion Design? What Is a Multitreatment Design? What Is an Alternating Treatments Design? What Are Combination Designs? When Should Researchers Use Each of the Additional Single-Case Designs? Sample Article. VI.ADDITIONAL RESEARCH METHODS. 13.Survey, Historical, and Program Evaluation Research Methods. What Are the Purposes of Survey Research? What Are the Different Types of Surveys? What Are the Factors in Choosing a Survey Method? How Is Survey Research Designed? When Should Researchers Use Survey Research? What Are the Characteristics and Purposes of Historical Research? How Is Historical Research Designed? When Should Researchers Use Historical Research? What Are the Goal and Objectives of Program Evaluation? What Are the Types of Program Evaluations? How Is a Program Evaluation Conducted? When Should Program Evaluations Be Conducted? Sample Article. 14.Conducting Research Syntheses. What Are the Purposes of Research Syntheses? What Are Systematic and Unsystematic Research Syntheses? What Are the Considerations for Conducting Research Syntheses? How Do Researchers Plan and Execute Research Syntheses? When Should Researchers Conduct Research Syntheses? Sample Article. VII.ACTION RESEARCH. 15.Action Research: Moving from Critical Research Consumer to Researcher. What Is Action Research? What Are the Characteristics of Action Research? How Are Quantitative Methods Used in Action Research? How Are Qualitative Methods Used in Action Research? How Are Single-Case Methods Used in Action Research? How Are Survey, Historical, and Program Evaluation Methods Used in Action Research? What Are the Ethical Principles and Codes of Conduct for Research? How Does One Write a Research Article? How Are Articles Submitted for Publication? When Should One Conduct Action Research? Sample Article.