Research Methods and Methodologies in Education

'This work will be of immense value to those who are undertaking a significant post-graduate research study in Education. The array of impressive contributors writes in an accessible and clear manner, and brings the attention of the reader to both technical and conceptual terms. This book certainly will be an addition to my own reference library' - Susan Groundwater-Smith, Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney This straightforward and jargon-free book will provide students with the theoretical understandings, practical knowledge and skills they need to carry out independent research. The international contributors identify key research methodologies, data collection tools and analysis methods, and focus on the direct comparisons between them. Each chapter sets out the strengths and weaknesses of a key research method by: identifying specific research designs presenting a series of relevant data collection tools highlighting which analytical methods which can be used. The chapters cover the full range of methods and methodologies, including internet research, mixed methods research and the various modes of ethnographic research. Additional online materials are also available including links to useful journal articles enabling further reading and exploration of each chapter. This is a key book for M-level students and other postgraduates within Education and Educational Research Methods courses. James Arthur is Head of School and Professor of Education and Civic Engagement at the University of Birmingham, UK. Michael J. Waring is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Sport, Exercise and Human Sciences at Loughborough University, UK. Robert Coe is Professor in the School of Education and Director of the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM), Durham University, UK. Larry V. Hedges (PhD) is Board of Trustees Professor of Statistics and Social Policy, at the Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, US.

About the Author :
Professor James Arthur, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor of Education and Civic Engagement, University of Birmingham. He is Director, Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, an inter-disciplinary research centre focussing on character, virtues and values in the interest of human flourishing. He has written widely on the relationship between theory and practice in education, particularly the links between communitarianism, social virtues, citizenship, religion and education. He is Secretary to the Society for Educational Studies. Dr Michael Waring, Director MSc Education (QTS) Physical Education, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University. He sits on the executive of the Society for Educational Studies, and is on the editorial board of the British Journal of Educational Studies and Higher Education Pedagogies. His research interests focus on the development of a personal learning styles pedagogy and the use learning technologies as part of distance and blended learning in higher education and initial teacher education contexts. Generally and as part of the exploration of this personalised learning agenda, he is interested in the use and innovative development of qualitative research methodology. Professor Robert J. Coe, Durham University, Professor of Education and Director of the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring. His research interests include evaluation methodology, evidence-based education and the involvement of practitioners in research, school effectiveness and improvement including the methodology of school effectiveness research, the use and effects of feedback especially in performance monitoring information systems, and the statistical comparability of examinations in different subjects and over time. Professor Larry V. Hedges, Northwestern University, Professor of Statistics and Social Policy. A national leader in the fields of educational statistics and evaluation, his research is in the fields of sociology, psychology and educational policy. He is best known for his work to develop statistical methods for meta-analysis in the social, medical and biological sciences.

Review :
'This work will be of immense value to those who are undertaking a significant post-graduate research study in Education at the M. Phil or PhD level. As well it will be helpful to commissioners of research who may have expertise in one method or another, but not the across-the-board insight when evaluating proposals that employ varied and innovative methods. Its array of impressive contributors writes in an accessible and clear manner and brings the attention of the reader to both technical and conceptual terms. Not only does the handbook provide the reader with a range of research methods with their associated costs and benefits, but also draws attention to the need for careful and systematic planning at all stages of the inquiry. It cautions against employing any method without first evaluating its appropriateness to the questions being investigated, that is, the commensurability of the research to the purpose of the inquiry. As a seasoned researcher I found myself refreshed and curious regarding the ongoing debates that continue to circulate around matters of validity and generalisability in increasingly complex contexts. It certainly will be an addition to my own reference library' -Susan Groundwater-Smith Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney