Educational Research : Fundamentals for the Consumer

by McMillan, James H.

• ISBN13: 9780205508303
• ISBN10: 0205508308
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

This book educates students to become intelligent consumers of educational research and introduces basic research principles to those who may eventually use research in their work. The book is designed to enable readers to become intelligent consumers of educational research and to introduce basic research principles to those who may eventually be involved in research in their work.Principles for conducting research and criteria for evaluating its overall credibility, understanding the intent of the researcher, the procedures, and the results -Instruction on how to analyze and evaluate research and judge the usefulness of the findings for educational practice.For anyone interested in educational research.

Table of Contents

To the Instructor	p. xv
To the Student	p. xix
Introduction to Research in Education	p. 1
Chapter Road Map	p. 2
Why Research?	p. 2
Sources of Knowledge	p. 3
Personal Experience	p. 3
Tradition	p. 3
Authority	p. 4
Research	p. 4
Characteristics of Scientific Inquiry	p. 5
The Nature of Scientific Inquiry	p. 5
Purpose of Scientific Inquiry	p. 6
Principles of Scientific Inquiry	p. 6
Applying Systematic Inquiry to Education	p. 8
Types of Educational Research	p. 10
Two Major Traditions of Research: Quantitative and Qualitative	p. 10
Basic, Applied, Evaluation, and Action Research	p. 14
Research Ethics	p. 16
Educational Research Article Format	p. 18
Title and Author(s)	p. 18
Abstract	p. 19
Introduction	p. 20
Review of Literature	p. 20
Specific Research Question or Hypothesis	p. 20
Method and Design	p. 20
Results	p. 21
Discussion	p. 21
Conclusions	p. 21
References	p. 21
Anatomy of a Research Article	p. 21
Study Questions	p. 29
Research Problems, Variables, and Hypotheses	p. 31
Chapter Road Map	p. 32
Research Problems	p. 32
Sources for Research Problems	p. 33
Quantitative Research Problem Statements and Questions	p. 35
Variables in Quantitative Research	p. 36
Conceptual and Operational Definitions	p. 36
Types of Variables	p. 37
Specific Quantitative Research Problem Statements and Questions	p. 39
Consumer Tips: Criteria for Evaluating Quantitative Research Problems	p. 42
Hypotheses	p. 44
Why Researchers Use Hypotheses	p. 44
Types of Hypotheses	p. 45
Consumer Tips: Criteria for Evaluating Research Hypotheses	p. 48
Qualitative Research Problem Statements and Questions	p. 49
Consumer Tips: Criteria for Evaluating Qualitative Research Problems	p. 51
Study Questions	p. 52
Locating and Reviewing Related Literature	p. 54
Chapter Road Map	p. 55
The Purpose of Reviewing Related Literature	p. 55
Refining the Research Problem	p. 56
Establishing the Conceptual or Theoretical Orientation	p. 56
Developing Significance	p. 56
Identifying Methodological Limitations	p. 56
Identifying Contradictory Findings	p. 57
Developing Research Hypotheses	p. 57
Learning About New Information	p. 58
Steps to Review Related Literature	p. 58
Select a Topic and Key Terms	p. 59
Identify Database and Access Software	p. 61
Conduct Search	p. 62
Identify the Source as Primary or Secondary	p. 66
Summarize and Analyze Primary Source Information	p. 70
Organize and Write the Review	p. 71
Consumer Tips: Criteria for Evaluating the Review of Literature	p. 76
Study Questions	p. 80
Using the Internet for Educational Research	p. 82
Chapter Road Map	p. 83
Introduction to the Internet	p. 83
Strengths and Weaknesses of Using the Internet for Educational Research	p. 86
Organization of Information on the World Wide Web	p. 88
Similarities Between Online and Print Research Techniques	p. 88
Differences Between Online and Print Research Techniques	p. 88
Elements of Website Organization	p. 88
Internet Search Strategies	p. 90
Subject Directories	p. 90
Search Engines	p. 91
Metasearch Engines	p. 93
Blurring the Line Between Search Engine and Search Directory	p. 93
Beyond Web Pages: Scholarly Communication Strategies	p. 94
E-Mail	p. 95
Newsgroups, E-Mail Discussion Groups, and Listservs	p. 95
Conferencing and Telecommunications	p. 96
Using Known Locations	p. 96
Review of Education Websites	p. 96
Federal Government	p. 96
State Government	p. 97
National Research Centers	p. 97
Regional Educational Laboratories	p. 98
Associations and Organizations	p. 98
Online Journals, Reviews and Abstracts	p. 99
Statistics	p. 101
Associations and University Web Pages	p. 102
Institute of Education Sciences	p. 103
Consumer Tips: How to Cite Internet Resources in Your References	p. 103
Consumer Tips: Evaluating Information on the Internet	p. 104
Using Educational Research: Internet Search Samples	p. 105
Study Questions	p. 107
Participants, Subjects, and Sampling	p. 109
Chapter Road Map	p. 110
What Is a Participant, a Subject, and a Sample?	p. 110
Types of Sampling Procedures for Quantitative Studies	p. 111
Probability Sampling	p. 112
Nonprobability Sampling	p. 117
Types of Sampling Procedures for Qualitative Studies	p. 119
Typical Case Sampling	p. 120
Extreme Case Sampling	p. 120
Maximum Variation Sampling	p. 121
Snowball Sampling	p. 121
Critical Case Sampling	p. 121
How Participants and Sampling Affect Research	p. 122
Knowledge of Sampling Procedures	p. 122
Volunteer Samples	p. 122
Sample Size	p. 124
Subject Motivation	p. 125
Sampling Bias	p. 125
Response Variability	p. 126
Consumer Tips: Criteria for Evaluating Subjects Sections of Reports and Sampling Procedures	p. 127
Study Questions	p. 128
Foundations of Educational Measurement	p. 130
Chapter Road Map	p. 131
Introduction to Measurement	p. 131
What Is Measurement?	p. 131
What Is Evaluation?	p. 131
What Is Assessment?	p. 132
The Purpose of Measurement for Research	p. 132
Scales of Measurement	p. 133
Principles of Descriptive Statistics for Understanding Measurement	p. 134
Frequency Distributions	p. 135
Measures of Central Tendency	p. 137
Measures of Variability	p. 139
Correlation	p. 141
Validity of Measurement	p. 144
What Is Validity?	p. 144
Sources of Validity Evidence	p. 145
Effect of Validity on Research	p. 148
Reliability of Measurement	p. 149
Types of Reliability	p. 150
Effect of Reliability on Research	p. 154
Study Questions	p. 156
Types of Educational Measures	p. 158
Chapter Road Map	p. 159
Classifying Educational Measures	p. 159
Tests	p. 160
Norm- and Criterion-Referenced Interpretations	p. 160
Large-Scale Standardized Tests	p. 161
Scores from Norm-Referenced Interpretations	p. 165
Questionnaires	p. 166
Personality Assessment	p. 167
Attitude, Value, and Interest Questionnaires	p. 168
Problems in Measuring Noncognitive Traits	p. 171
Observations	p. 172
Inference	p. 173
Laboratory Observation	p. 174
Structured Field Observations	p. 174
Observer Effects	p. 175
Interviews	p. 176
Types of Interview Questions	p. 177
Interviewer Effects	p. 178
Locating and Evaluating Educational Measures	p. 180
Consumer Tips: Criteria for Evaluating Instrumentation	p. 182
Study Questions	p. 183
Nonexperimental Quantitative Research Designs	p. 185
Chapter Road Map	p. 186
The Purpose of Nonexperimental Research	p. 186
Descriptive Studies	p. 186
Characteristics of Descriptive Studies	p. 186
Consumer Tips: Criteria for Evaluating Descriptive Studies	p. 187
Relationships in Nonexperimental Designs	p. 188
Comparative Studies	p. 189
Characteristics of Comparative Studies	p. 189
Consumer Tips: Criteria for Evaluating Comparative Studies	p. 191
Correlational Studies	p. 193
Characteristics of Correlational Studies	p. 193
Prediction Studies	p. 194
Consumer Tips: Criteria for Evaluating Correlational Studies	p. 198
Causal-Comparative and Ex Post Facto Studies	p. 201
Causal-Comparative Designs	p. 202
Ex Post Facto Studies	p. 202
Consumer Tips: Criteria for Evaluating Causal-Comparative and Ex Post Facto Studies	p. 203
Using Surveys in Nonexperimental Research	p. 204
Cross-Sectional Surveys	p. 206
Longitudinal Surveys	p. 207
Internet-Based Surveys	p. 208
Anatomy of a Nonexperimental Quantitative Research Study	p. 210
Study Questions	p. 215
Experimental Research Designs	p. 217
Chapter Road Map	p. 218
Characteristics of Experimental Research	p. 218
Experimental Validity	p. 219
Internal Validity	p. 220
External Validity	p. 225
Types of Experimental Designs	p. 227
Single-Group Posttest-Only Design	p. 228
Single-Group Pretest-Posttest Design	p. 228
Nonequivalent-Groups Posttest-Only Design	p. 229
Nonequivalent-Groups Pretest-Posttest Design	p. 230
Randomized-to-Groups Posttest-Only Design	p. 232
Randomized-to-Groups Pretest-Posttest Design	p. 234
Factorial Designs	p. 234
Consumer Tips: Criteria for Evaluating Experimental Research	p. 237
Single-Subject Designs	p. 241
Characteristics of Single-Subject Research	p. 241
Types of Single-Subject Designs	p. 242
Consumer Tips: Criteria for Evaluating Single-Subject Research	p. 243
Anatomy of an Experimental Research Study	p. 245
Study Questions	p. 249
Understanding Statistical Inferences	p. 251
Chapter Road Map	p. 252
The Purpose and Nature of Inferential Statistics	p. 252
Degree of Certainty	p. 252
Estimating Errors in Sampling and Measurement	p. 253
The Null Hypothesis	p. 253
Beyond Significance Testing	p. 255
Confidence Intervals	p. 255
Effect Size	p. 256
Interpreting Results of Specific Inferential Tests	p. 258
The t Test	p. 259
Simple Analysis of Variance	p. 259
Factorial Analysis of Variance	p. 260
Analysis of Covariance	p. 264
Multivariate Statistics	p. 264
Chi-Square	p. 265
Consumer Tips: Criteria for Evaluating Inferential Statistics	p. 267
Study Questions	p. 268
Qualitative Research Designs and Analysis	p. 270
Chapter Road Map	p. 271
Introduction to Qualitative Research	p. 271
Characteristics of Qualitative Research	p. 272
Natural Settings	p. 272
Direct Data Collection	p. 273
Rich Narrative Descriptions	p. 273
Process Orientation	p. 273
Inductive Data Analysis	p. 274
Participant Perspectives	p. 275
Emergent Research Design	p. 275
Ethnographic Studies	p. 276
Identifying and Entering the Research Site	p. 277
Selecting Participants	p. 277
Obtaining Data	p. 278
Data Analysis and Interpretation	p. 283
Case Studies	p. 288
Research Problem Statement	p. 289
Entering the Research Site	p. 290
Selecting Participants	p. 290
Obtaining Data	p. 291
Data Analysis	p. 291
Phenomenological Studies	p. 291
Grounded Theory Studies	p. 293
Credibility of Qualitative Research	p. 295
Triangulation	p. 296
Reliability	p. 296
External Validity	p. 298
Consumer Tips: Criteria for Evaluating Qualitative Research	p. 298
Anatomy of a Qualitative Research Study	p. 300
Study Questions	p. 306
Mixed-Method and Action Research	p. 308
Chapter Road Map	p. 309
Introduction to Mixed-Method Research	p. 309
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Mixed-Method Designs	p. 310
When to Use Mixed-Method Designs	p. 312
Types of Mixed-Method Designs	p. 312
Characteristics and Procedural Considerations for Mixed-Method Designs	p. 315
Steps in Conducting a Mixed-Method Study	p. 319
Consumer Tips: Evaluating Mixed-Method Studies	p. 320
Anatomy of a Mixed-Method Research Study	p. 321
Action Research	p. 329
What Is Action Research?	p. 329
Benefits of Action Research	p. 330
Conducting Action Research	p. 332
Consumer Tips: Criteria for Evaluating Action Research	p. 339
Anatomy of an Action Research Study	p. 340
Study Questions	p. 342
Discussion and Conclusions	p. 344
Chapter Road Map	p. 345
Purpose and Nature of the Discussion	p. 345
Interpretation of the Results	p. 346
Interpretation Related to the Problem and/or Hypothesis	p. 346
Interpretation Based on Theory	p. 346
Interpretation Related to Methodology	p. 347
Interpretation Based on Statistical Procedures	p. 348
Interpretation Related to Previous Research	p. 350
Conclusions	p. 351
Limitations	p. 353
Recommendations and Implications	p. 357
Consumer Tips: Criteria for Evaluating Discussion and Conclusion Sections	p. 359
Study Questions	p. 360
The Intelligent Consumer: Putting it All Together	p. 361
Questions for Quantitative Studies	p. 362
Questions for Qualitative Studies	p. 364
Questions for Mixed-Method Studies	p. 366
Examples of Research Articles	p. 367
References	p. 395
Credits	p. 397
Index	p. 398
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