Essentials of Research Methods in Education

About the Book

This book provides pragmatic advice and guidance on how to undertake educational research. 

Using the concept of research as a ‘quest’, it takes you on a journey from planning stages, through data collection to analysis, to writing up your findings, and at each stage, exploring the principles and practice that can support your own research projects. 

This second edition has been carefully revised throughout to offer:

• A more logical structure and better signposting of key topics to support your understanding of the research process.
• Important ethical considerations throughout to demonstrate how research ethics are vital at every step.
• Engaging and thought-provoking commentaries on how to progress in your ‘research quest’.
• Enhanced granular detail on different methodological approaches.

This is essential reading for students on all education courses that include a research methods module or project.

Table of Contents:
PART I Introduction to educational research Ch1 Introduction Ch2 Research perspectives and applied philosophy Ch3 The importance of the sociocultural context Ch4 The research process from start to finish PART II Establishing and defining your research focus Ch5 Identifying an appropriate research project Ch6 The importance of ethics Ch7 The literature review Ch8 Different research designs PART III Data collection methods and analysis Ch9 Quantitative data collection methods Ch10 Quantitative data analysis and presentation of findings Ch11 Qualitative data collection methods Ch12 Qualitative data analysis and presentation of findings Ch13 Mixed methodologies and mixed approaches PART IV Engaging with your own research Ch14 Conducting and completing your research project Ch15 Taking your research project further: presentation and publication

About the Author :
Scott Buckler has been involved in education since the 1990s, fluctuating between primary teaching, secondary teaching (science, computing, psychology), and universities (education, sport, psychology). From teaching research methods across the expanse of education (from the primary years through to doctorates), Scott has been an advocate of high quality research, through facilitating an open mind while maintaining academic integrity. His research has encompassed many areas, often with the theme of personal and professional growth, through the lens of transpersonal psychology. His PhD thesis was interdisciplinary, combining anthropology and psychology to explore the way that the martial arts lead to personal transformation. Professionally, Scott’s research is predominantly in applied educational psychology, inclusive education, and research methods. Scott is a Chartered Teacher and Chartered Psychologist. Harriett Moore has a varied background within the field of both education and research.  She studied animal behaviour at University College Chester (a college of Liverpool University) where she engaged with a wide selection of research methodologies, from observational approaches to applied research in a range of contexts. Her skills have transferred effectively into analysing human behaviour. Harriett has been involved with education since the mid-2000s as a secondary teacher, IT Operations Manager, among other roles. Throughout her career, Harriett has engaged with applied research to help facilitate change and to inform a variety of audiences, continually challenging perspectives in the limitations of what people think is possible, and what can actually be achieved. Harriett currently manages the school’s Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and is a firm believer that education is much more than classroom based learning, rather requiring a “whole-person centred” approach. Her current research projects include teacher wellbeing, martial arts within the school setting, and student/staff perceptions on elearning.