A classic in its field, Research Methods in Education explains the research process with emphasis on the formulation of a research question, referencing current literature in the field, using appropriate research designs, and writing and evaluating research reports. Both quantitative and qualitative research designs are described. Measurement, sampling, and statistics are presented as essential research tools.
Retaining the clear, concise writing style and organization that has made this text so popular, Research Methods in Education helps students evaluate research literature as well as master research methodology. It emphasizes the rationale for commonly used research procedures and their applications. The authors outline the nature of educational research and clearly define the steps in the research process.
The text is broad in scope–covering both quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research methodologies as well as describing how to write research proposals and reports of completed research. Research Methods in Education gives students a solid understanding of all the elements of research.
Table of Contents:
Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Educational Research: Its Nature and Characteristics
Introduction
The Nature of Educational Research
The Systematic Process of Research
The Validity of Educational Research
Internal Validity
External Validity
The Reliability of Educational Research
Research Has a Variety of Forms
Classification of Educational Research Basic and Applied Research
Qualitative and Quantitative Research
General Methods of Research
Experimental Research
Quasi-Experimental Research
Nonexperimental Quantitative Research
Historical Research
Ethnographic Research
The Role of Theory The Activities of the Research Process
Identification of the Research Problem
Data Collection
Analysis
Summarizing Results and Drawing Conclusions
Summary The Function of Educational Research
Key Concepts Exercises
Notes
References
2. Identification of a Research Problem
Selection of a Research Problem
Statement of the Research Problem Constants, Variables, and Operational Definition
Independent and Dependent Variables
Other Possible Types of Variables
Variables as They are Measured
Operational Definition
Hypotheses and the Statement of the Problem
Types and Forms of Hypotheses
Examples of Hypotheses Related to Problem Statements
Examples From the Research Literature
Summary Key Concepts
Exercises
Notes
References
3. The Review of the Literature
The Activities of the Review of the Literature
Sources of Information
The Library
Periodical Literature
Education Index
Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC)
An Example Using CIJE and RIE
Other Indexes and Abstracts
Review of Educational Research (RER)
Reports of Meta-Analysis
Abstracts and Reports in Periodicals
Theses and Dissertations
Books
Computer Searches of Databases Conducting a Search
Searching a Database for a Specific Research Problem — One
Descriptor
Searching a Database for a Specific Research Problem — More than
One Descriptor
Other Sources Available Through the Computer
Selecting Studies for the Review of the Literature
Assembling and Summarizing Information
Abstract or Summary
Organizing Information
Interpreting and Using Information
Critical Review
Writing the Review
Referencing
Preparing the Bibliography
Summary
Key Concepts
Exercises
Notes
References
4. Research Design in Quantitative Research
The Purposes of Research Design
The Concept of Controlling Variance
Procedures for Controlling Variance
Randomization
Building in Factors as Independent Variables
Holding Factors Constant
Statistical Control
Using Procedures for Control in Combination
Characteristics of Good Research Design Freedom from Bias
Freedom from Confounding
Control of Extraneous Variables
Statistical Precision for Testing Hypotheses
Summary Key Concepts
Exercises
Notes
References
5. Experimental Research
The Meaning of Experimental Design
Experimental Variables
Use of the Term Subject
Criteria for a Well-Designed Experiment Experimental Validity
Threats to Experimental Validity
Posttest-Only Control Group Design Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design
Solomon Four-Group Design
Factorial Designs
Repeated Measures Designs
Designs Extended in Time
Time Series Designs
Interpreting Results of Experiments Randomness and Representativeness
Summary
Key Concepts
Exercises
Notes
References
6. Quasi-Experimental Research
The Problems of Validity
Posttest-Only, Nonequivalent Control Group Design
Pretest-Posttest, Nonequivalent Control Group Design
Time Series Designs
Single-Group Time Series Design
Multiple-Group Time Series Design
Variations in Time Series Designs
Single-Subject Designs A-B Design
A-B-A Design
A-B-A-B Design
Multiple-Baseline Designs
Multiple-Baseline Design Across Behaviors
Multiple-Baseline Design Across Subjects
Multiple-Baseline Design Across Situations
Action Research and Quasi-Experimental Research Summary
Key Concepts
Exercises
Notes
References
7. Non-Experimental Quantitative Research
Non-Experimental Quantitative Research: Its Scope and Description
Ex post facto Research
Causal-Comparative Research Examples
Correlational Research Examples
Survey Research
Survey Designs Longitudinal Designs
Cross-Sectional Designs
The Methodology of Survey Research Questionnaire Surveys
Item Construction
Item Format
Pilot Run of the Items
The Cover Letter
Questionnaire Format
Procedures for Increasing Response Rate
Follow-up Procedures
Identifying Sources of Nonresponse
Incomplete and Possible Dishonest Response
Examples
Community Surveys
Client Surveys
Web-Based Surveys
Factors to Consider When Conducting Web-Based Surveys
Interview Surveys
Interview Items
Conducting the Interview
Potential Sources of Error
Telephone Interviews
A Comment About Branching Items
Other Surveys
Analyzing and Reporting Survey Results
Hypothetical Example 1
Hypothetical Example 2
Summary
Key Concepts
Exercises
Notes
References
8. Research Design in Qualitative Research
The Epistemology of Qualitative Research
Components of Research Design
Working Design
Working Hypotheses
Data Collection
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Possible Codes
Coding Examples
Types of Designs in Qualitative Research Perspectives for Qualitative Research
Example: Funnel Approach
Example: Modified Analytic Induction Approach
Reliability and Validity of Qualitative Research Use of Technology in Qualitative Research
Capabilities of Computer Software in Qualitative Research
Summary Key Concepts
Exercises
Notes
References
9. Historical Research
The Value of Historical Research
Sources of Information in Historical Research
The Methodology of Historical Research
Identification of the Research Problem
Collection and Evaluation of Source Materials
External Criticism
Internal Criticism
Synthesis of Information
Analysis, Interpretation, and Formulating
Quantitative Methods in Historical Research
Comments on the Reporting of Historical Research
Reports in Professional Journals
Summary
Key Concepts
Exercises
References
10. Ethnographic Research
The Nature of Ethnography in Education
The Phenomenological Nature
The Naturalistic Nature
The Holistic and General Perspective
A Conceptual Schema for Ethnographic Research The Process of Ethnographic Research
Identification of the Phenomenon to be Studied
Identification of Subjects
Hypothesis Generation
Data Collection
Observation
Videotaping
Interviewing
Reviewing Other Sources
Triangulation
Analysis
Coding
Use of Numbers
Drawing Conclusions
Examples of Ethnographic Research in Education The Reliability and Validity of Ethnographic Research
Reliability
Validity
The Role of Ethnographic Research Summary
Key Concepts
Exercises
Notes
References
11. Mixed, Modeling and Delphi Methods
Mixed Methods
Summary
Modeling Methods
Application of Modeling Methods
Developing the Conceptual Model
Model Specification
Model Fitting
Summary Delphi Method
The Delphi Process
Question Definition
Delphi-Panel Creation
First-Round Questionnaire: Initial Subject Consideration
Subsequent-Round Questionnaires and the Analysis of
Responses
Variations of the Delphi
Examples of the Delphi
Considerations When Conducting a Delphi
Summary
Key Concepts Exercises
Notes
References
12. Sampling Designs
The Concept of a Random Sample
Random Selection and Random Assignment
Use of a Random Number Table
Use of the Computer in Sample Selection
Sampling Error and Sampling Bias
Criteria for a Sampling Design Stratified Random Sampling
Allocation of Sample Size Among Strata
Cluster Sampling Systematic Sampling
Possible Problem of Periodicity
Considerations in Determining Sample Size–Random Sampling Purposeful Sampling
Comprehensive Sampling
Maximum Variation Sampling
Extreme Case Sampling
Typical Case Sampling
Homogeneous Sampling
Other Variations of Purposeful Sampling
Sample Size of Purposeful Samples
Summary Key Concepts
Notes
References
13. Measurement and Data Collection
Concepts of Measurement
Types of Measurement Scales
Reliability of Measurement
Empirical Procedures for Estimating Reliability
Expected Reliability Coefficients for Various Types of Tests
Validity of Measurement
Content-Related Evidence
Criterion-Related Evidence: Concurrent and Predictive
Construct-Related Evidence
The Variables Measured in Educational Research Tests and Inventories Used for Measurement
Achievement Tests in Academic and Skills Areas
Attitude Inventories
Likert Scale
Semantic Differential
Aptitude Tests
Personality Measures
Rating Scales
Observation Systems
Measures Involving Holistic Scoring Where to Find Test Information
Scoring and Data Preparation
Coding Data
An Example of a Data File
Summary Key Concepts
Exercises
Notes
References
14. Data Analysis: Descriptive Statistics
The Multiple Meanings of Statistics
Distributions
Describing a Distribution of Scores
Measures of Central Tendency
Measures of Variability
Shapes of Distributions
Standard Scores
Properties of Standard Scores
Determining Standard Scores
Correlation — A Measure of Relationship Uses of Correlation
Different correlation Coefficients
Data Analysis by Computer Summary
Key Concepts
Exercises
Note
15. Data Analysis: Inferential Statistics
Context for Using Inferential Statistics
Testing Hypotheses and Estimating Parameters
Concept pf a Sampling Distribution
Building a Confidence Internal — The Example Continued
Possible Errors in Hypothesis Testing
Inferences from Statistics to Parameters: A Reviews Parametric Analyses
The t-Distribution — Another Sampling Distribution
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
Nonparametric Analyses The Chi-Square (χ2) Test and Distribution
Correlational Analyses Analysis of Covariance
Selecting an Appropriate Statistical Analysis Comments About Statistical Analysis
Meta-Analysis
Summary
Key Concepts
Exercises
Notes
References
16. Communicating About Research
Major Sections of the Research Proposal
Identification of the Problem
Review of the Literature
Methods of Procedures
Significance of the Proposed Research
Other Sections of the Research Proposal
Cover Page
Abstract
Budget
Timeline
Staff Resumes
Appendices
Major Sections of the Research Report
Introduction, Including the Statement of the Problem
Review of the Literature
Methods or Procedures
Results
Use of Tables
Conclusions, Recommendations, and Implications
Other Sections of the Research Report
Abstract
Bibliography and Reference List
Appendix
Putting a Report Together
Software for Word Processing
Guidelines for Presenting Papers at Meetings
Presentations to Dissertation and Thesis Committees
Summary
Key Concepts
Exercises
Note
References
16. Evaluating Research Reports
Types of Errors and Shortcomings in Reports
Critiquing Major Sections of a Research Report
Introduction
Review of the Literature
Methods or Procedures
Results
Conclusions, Recommendations, and Implications
Overall Impressions When Evaluating a Report The Review Process for Journals
Suggested Disposition
The Evaluation of Proposals Significance of the Proposed Research
Quality of the Proposed Research
Summary Key Concepts
Exercises
References
Appendix 1: Ethical and Legal Considerations in Conducting Research
Appendix 2: Solutions to Exercises
Appendix 3: Tables
Table A. Ordinates and Areas of the Normal Curve
Table B. Critical Values of t
Table C. Upper Percentage Points of the χ2 Distribution
Table D. Upper Percentage Points of the F-Distribution
Table E. Critical Values of the Correlation Coefficient
Glossary of Research Methods Terms
Name Index
Subject Index
Disk Instructions
