Conducting Educational Research: "Guide to Completing a Thesis, Dissertation, or Action Research Project"

Designed to be used during the research process, Conducting Educational Research: Guide to Completing a Thesis, Dissertation, or Action Research Project, Second Edition 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. Each chapter includes activities and exercises to ensure the researcher is asking the right questions and producing a quality project.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 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 Selected Organizations That Support Research in Education Putting It All Together Summary Activity Your Research Project in Action Further Reading References Activity Answers Chapter 2 • Identifying a Research Problem and 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 Reading References Chapter 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 Check Sheet for Understanding Relevant Literature Discussion Questions Your Research Project in Action Further Reading References Literature Examples Chapter 4 • Issues in Validity and Reliability What Are Validity, Trustworthiness, and Reliability? 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 References Literature Examples Chapter 5 • Designing and Conducting Experimental Research Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research Questions Point to Designs Group Designs Single-Subject Designs Measurement of Dependent Variables Types of Data Putting It All Together Summary Discussion Questions Your Research Project in Action Further Reading References Literature Examples Chapter 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 Reading References Literature Examples Chapter 7 • Designing and Conducting Descriptive Research Types of Quantitative Descriptive Research Survey Methods Conducting Descriptive Research Accessing Extant Databases Mixed Methods Research Putting It All Together Summary Discussion Questions Your Research Project in Action Further Reading References Literature Examples Chapter 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 Putting It All Together Summary Discussion Questions Your Research Project in Action Further Reading References Literature Examples Chapter 9 • Analyzing and Interpreting Experimental Research Experimental Data Selecting a Statistic Consistent With Your Design and Appropriate to Your Data Interpreting the Results of Analyses Discussing Experimental Results Statistical Conclusion Validity Putting It All Together Summary Discussion Questions Your Research Project in Action Further Reading References Literature Examples Chapter 10 • Analyzing and Interpreting Qualitative Data Data Management Data Analysis Trustworthiness Documenting and Reporting Results Putting It All Together Summary Discussion Questions Your Research Project in Action Further Reading References Literature Examples Chapter 11 • Analyzing and Interpreting Descriptive Research Descriptive Data Analysis and Interpretation Correlational Research Causal Comparative Research Mixed Methods Research Putting It All Together Summary Discussion Questions Your Research Project in Action Further Reading References Literature Examples Chapter 12 • Writing Research Reports Writing for Publication Getting Your Writing Published Putting It All Together Summary References Literature Examples Appendix A: Organizations That Support Educational Research Appendix B: Using Microsoft® Excel to Analyze Data Glossary Index About the Author

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