Essentials of Research Methods in Education

This book provides a comprehensive overview of research methods, supported by examples from a range of educational fields, along with pragmatic advice and guidance on how to undertake educational research. Using the concept of research as a 'quest', this book takes you on a journey from planning stages, through data collection to analysis, to writing up your findings, at each stage exploring the principles and practice that can support your own educational research projects. Academic understanding is combined with practical commentary to show how conceptual ideas are used in practice. Case studies throughout the book highlight the power of educational research to shine a light on important social issues. This is essential reading for students on all Education courses that include a research methods module or project. Scott Buckler PhD is an independent academic, Chartered Teacher and Chartered Psychologist. Harriett Moore is a school-based practitioner with a broad background in research.

Table of Contents:
Section 1: Introduction To Educational Research Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Perspectives And Philosophy Chapter 3: Sociocultural Context Chapter 4: Research Design Stages Section 2: Initial Considerations Chapter 5: Literature Review Chapter 6: Research Designs Chapter 7: Ethics Chapter 8: Specifying Your Research Focus Section 3: Methodological Considerations, Methods, And Analysis Chapter 9: Quantitative Considerations And Methods Chapter 10: Qualitative Considerations And Methods Chapter 11: Mixed Methodologies And Mixed Approaches Chapter 12: Quantitative Analysis And Presentation Chapter 13: Qualitative Analysis And Presentation Section 4: Engaging With Your Own Research Chapter 14: Structuring The Research Chapter 15: A Return To The Beginning

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.

Review :
Education research methods can be scary and confusing. This useful text looks set to provide a focused yet very accessible introduction – providing useable practical guidance while also addressing the complexity. It should be an asset for both academics and practitioner researchers. This is the text that students have been waiting for. It is comprehensive, reader friendly, and interdisciplinary. The authors frame research as a quest for the truth, and provide specific stages and procedures to assist this search. Honest, informed and practical, Essentials of Research Methods in Education lives up to the promise of its title; offering the reader the essentials of educational enquiry. Beginning with a timely reminder that Education and research are fundamentally inseparable, the authors offer a fulsome and engaging tour of the field, highlighting the controversies, possibilities and satisfaction in undertaking educational research for meaningful change. While conscious of not simply adding to an already crowded field of research literature, Buckler and Moore offer a refreshingly contemporary angle on doing educational research, making this a distinctively important addition to the literature of the intending educational researcher at any level of study. This book is very accessible for researchers at all levels and skills.  The thorough way in which the authors have approached the challenges of Research Methods will support the development of all projects.  It is an essential read. This book is written by authors well versed in the challenges of research and it shows the moment you start to read it. The text is clear and to the point with some nice touches of humour. Layout is extremely clear making the book easy to follow and to dip into, and has very useful sections such as "lessons learned the hard way" in each chapter. It also manages to share the energy and enthusiasm for research and its transformational ability. The "Holy Grail" of textbooks on educational research is one which combines a clear relatively simple approach which will not frighten beginners and yet which offers the depth and detail required by so much research. Here Scott and Harriett have come very close to reaching that "Holy Grail" status with this book. It is an excellent, clear introduction to research which avoids some of the stodginess of older texts, yet provides the necessary depth and detail which students need. Buckler and Moore have written a highly accessible book on educational research methods. On reading the book, I felt like I was being taken on a journey of discovery in the hands of friendly, knowledgeable, and trustworthy guides. The book is exceptional in raising contemporary issues in depth whilst never leaving the reader adrift among complex details. Those embarking on research will be well rewarded by engaging with the challenges the authors set and following their guidelines for approaching their own research questions effectively. ′This book deals honestly and clearly with the myriad of ideas that students come across when they begin educational research. It is a ′dip in′ book in which students can clarify the concepts they come across in other books and in lectures. Recommended to everyone from undergraduate to doctoral level.′ This text provides an accessible, detailed, practical, and holistic exploration of research methods in education. It furnishes the reader with a clear account of the philosophical and socio-cultural foundations of research whilst also providing helpful insights into the journey from research design to dissemination of findings. This will be an invaluable resource for both student researchers and others involved in the field of educational research.   This book provides a richly comprehensive guide to conducting educational research.  The reader is supported in building a deep understanding that offers greater insight and avoids the ‘myth and mystery’ so often associated with the research process.  Throughout, an illustrative quest allegory entertains and enlightens the reader without distracting from the rigour of the central purpose. For more experienced researchers Buckler & Moore succeed in making the familiar strange.  Thoroughly recommended.  "I have recently read this book and used it extensively to support my Research Modules for my Masters level study. It was recommended as part of my course and is definitely worth taking the time to digest it! The way the book is written is engaging and supportive and is also sequenced in a way that helps when writing. The book has really helped me with my research project for my MA education and will definitely be my "go to guide" moving forward!"