Conducting Educational Research: Guide to Completing a Major Project

Designed to be used during the research process, Conducting Educational Research walks readers through each step of a research project or thesis, including developing a research question, performing a literature search, developing a research plan, collecting and analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and sharing the conclusions with others. Throughout the book, Daniel J. Boudah covers all types of research (including experimental, descriptive, qualitative, group designs, and single subject designs) and helps readers link research questions to designs, designs to data sources, and data sources to appropriate analyses. Key Features: - Technology in Research boxes help readers take advantage of related technologies and online resources - In Their Own Words sections provide tips and suggestions from students who have completed projects - End-of-chapter Your Research Project in Action sections prompt students to apply what they have learned to their current research projects - In-text learning aids, including chapter-opening outlines and objectives and chapter-ending summaries and discussion questions, help readers master the material.

Table of Contents:
Preface 1. Research in Education Conducting Research in Education: Art or Science? The Current Research to Practice Gap Examples of Research at the Policy and Classroom Levels Research Types, Designs, and Methodologies Putting it All Together Selected Organizations that Support Research in Education Summary Activities Answers to Activities Your Research Project in Action Further Readings References 2. Identifying a Research Problem, Question, and Searching Relevant Literature Identifying a Research Problem Identifying a Possible Research Question The Purposes of a Literature Review The Process of Conducting a Literature Search Putting it All Together Summary Discussion Questions Your Research Project in Action Further Readings References 3. Understanding Relevant Literature and Writing a Literature Review Analyzing literature search outcomes Writing a Literature Review Revisiting and Revising Research Questions Putting it All Together Summary Discussion Questions Your Research Project in Action Further Readings References 4. Issues in Validity and Trustworthiness What are Validity, Reliability, and Trustworthiness? Types of Validity and Their Threats Reliability Trustworthiness Ways to Address Challenges to Trustworthiness Putting it All Together Summary Discussion Questions Your Research Project in Action Further Readings References 5. Designing and conducting experimental research Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Questions Point to Designs Group Designs Single Subject Designs Measurement of Dependent Variables Types of Data Putting It All Together Implementing Interventions Summary Discussion Questions Your Research Project in Action Further Readings References 6. Designing and Conducting Qualitative Research What is Qualitative Research? Qualitative Design: The Planning Process Putting It All Together Summary Discussion Questions Your Research Project in Action Further Readings References 7. Designing and Conducting Descriptive Research Types of Quantitative Descriptive Research Survey Methods Conducting Descriptive Research Accessing Extant Databases Putting It All Together Summary Discussion Questions Your Research Project in Action Further Readings References 8. Creating a Research Proposal The Purpose of a Research Proposal Identifying a Problem Investigating and Identifying Relevant Literature Identifying a Research Question Identifying a Research Design and Method Identifying Research Procedures and Plans Identifying Potential Analyses Protection of Human Participants Pilot Testing Summary Discussion Questions Your Research Project in Action Further Readings References 9. Analyzing and Interpreting Experimental Research From Designing and Conducting, to Analyzing and Interpreting Experimental Research Experimental Data Selecting a Statistic Consistent with Your Design and Appropriate to Your Data Interpreting Results of Analyses Discussing Experimental Results Statistical Conclusion Validity Putting it All Together Summary Discussion Questions Your Research Project in Action References 10. Analyzing and Interpreting Qualitative Research Data Management Data Analysis of Words Putting It All Together Summary Discussion Questions Your Research Project in Action Further Readings References 11. Analyzing and Interpreting Descriptive Research From Designing and Conducting, to Analyzing and Interpreting Descriptive Research Descriptive Data Analysis and Interpretation Causal Comparative Research Correlational Research Putting it All Together Summary Discussion Questions Your Research Project in Action Further Readings References 12. Writing Research Reports Writing for Publication Getting Your Writing Published Putting It All Together Summary References Appendix: A: Check Sheet for Understanding Relevant Literature Appendix B: Organizations that Support Educational Research Glossary Index

About the Author :
Daniel J. Boudah is a Professor in the Department of Special Education, Research & Foundations, and a former departmental Director of Graduate Studies at East Carolina University. Dr. Boudah previously taught general education and special education in public schools. He has been awarded federal and other grants and carried out school-based research in the areas of teacher planning and inquiry, learning strategies, content enhancement, systems change, and collaborative instruction. He has published work in professional journals, textbooks, newsletters, and teacher-training materials. Dr. Boudah has spoken at numerous national, international, and state conferences. He has received awards for excellence from several organizations in the field of education. Dr. Boudah has conducted many professional development, curriculum design, program evaluation, grant and foundation proposal development, and system change activities with public and private schools, as well as public and private agencies, to develop and support services to low-performing and at-risk students. He is a past president of the Council for Learning Disabilities. Dr. Boudah’s continuing professional interests include programs and services for low-performing students and students with disabilities, learning and instructional strategies, dropout prevention, and systems change. Dr. Boudah can be reached at boudahd@ecu.edu