Introduction to Educational Research

by Charles, Carol M.; Mertler, Craig A.

• ISBN13: 9780321081759
• ISBN10: 0321081757
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

This practical introductory text helps students understand, conduct, and interpret both qualitative and quantitative paradigms in educational research methods. This book is organized around eight research methods to help users plan and conduct their first educational research projects. By proceeding through chapter contents and completing the in-text exercises, readers will simultaneously prepare a research plan and learn how to obtain and analyze data, address research questions and hypotheses, and prepare a report of their projects. In keeping with the main purpose of helping users clearly understand and apply research concepts, many pedagogical features have been included in the book. Additionally, each chapter contains one or more special sections titled Applying Technology.

Table of Contents

Preface	xvii
PART ONE Orientation to Educational Research	1	(48)
Educational Research: Its Nature and Rules of Operation	3	(23)
Preview	3	(1)
Targeted Learnings	3	(1)
Chapter Information Organizers	4	(1)
Information Organizer	5	(1)
New Questions about Elmwood's Schools	5	(1)
Seeking Answers to Questions	5	(2)
The Scientific Method	7	(1)
Research and the Scientific Method	8	(3)
The Meaning of Research	8	(1)
The Process of Educational Research	9	(2)
Research and Educational Research	11	(1)
Rules of Operation in Educational Research	11	(12)
Legal Principles	12	(1)
Ethical Principles	13	(1)
Applying Technology: Human Subjects Research Approval	14	(3)
Philosophical Principles	17	(2)
Procedural Principles	19	(3)
Applying Technology: Ethics and Standards of Research	22	(1)
Educators as Researchers	23	(1)
Chapter Summary	23	(1)
List of Important Terms	24	(1)
Your Current Status	24	(1)
Activities for Thought and Discussion	24	(1)
Answers to Chapter Exercises	25	(1)
References and Recommended Readings	25	(1)
Types of Educational Research and Corresponding Sources of Data	26	(23)
Preview	26	(1)
Targeted Learnings	27	(1)
Variables and Educational Research	27	(1)
Continuous, Discrete, and Dichotomous Variables	27	(1)
Independent and Dependent Variables	27	(1)
Information Organizer	28	(1)
Types of Educational Research	29	(7)
Types of Research Categorized by Practicality	29	(1)
Types of Research Differentiated by Methodology	30	(1)
Types of Research Defined by Questions Addressed	31	(5)
Primary and Secondary Sources of Research Data	36	(1)
Specific Sources of Research Data	37	(1)
Procedures Used in Collecting Data	38	(2)
Qualities Required in Research Data	40	(2)
Authenticity and Believability	40	(1)
Validity and Reliability	41	(1)
Treatment and Presentation of Data	42	(3)
Applying Technology: More About Variables and Questions	43	(2)
Additional Terminology Related to Data	45	(1)
Participants, Samples, and Populations	45	(1)
Chapter Summary	45	(1)
List of Important Terms	46	(1)
Your Current Status	46	(1)
Activities for Thought and Discussion	46	(1)
Answers to Chapter Exercises	47	(1)
References and Recommended Readings	47	(2)
PART TWO Preliminary Skills Needed for Conducting Research	49	(70)
Selecting, Refining, and Proposing a Topic for Research	51	(24)
Preview	51	(1)
Targeted Learnings	51	(1)
Information Organizer	52	(1)
Where to Find Good Research Topics	53	(2)
Topics for Teachers	53	(1)
Topics for Administrators	54	(1)
Topics for Other Educators	55	(1)
Preliminary Considerations in Selecting Topics	55	(3)
Applying Technology: Sources for Research Topics	56	(2)
Refining the Research Topic	58	(1)
Some Necessary Terminology	59	(5)
Regulating the Size of Research Topics	64	(1)
Foreseeing the Research Report Format	65	(1)
The Value of Conventional Procedures and Report	66	(1)
Refining the Topic: Two Illustrative Cases	67	(3)
Jan's Concern about Students' Entry Age to Kindergarten	67	(2)
Tony's Concern about Sexual Harassment among High School Students	69	(1)
Preparing a Research Proposal	70	(1)
Chapter Summary	71	(1)
List of Important Terms	72	(1)
Your Current Status	72	(1)
Activities for Thought and Discussion	72	(1)
Answers to Chapter Exercises	73	(1)
References and Recommended Readings	73	(2)
Locating Published Research	75	(24)
Preview	75	(1)
Targeted Learnings	75	(1)
Information Organizer	76	(1)
Using the Research Library	76	(1)
Secondary Sources in the Library	77	(3)
Locating Secondary Sources	80	(1)
Primary Sources in the Library	80	(14)
Specific Directories of Primary References	81	(2)
Locating Primary Sources	83	(7)
Applying Technology: Electronic Journals	90	(1)
Applying Technology: Searching ERIC On-line	91	(3)
A Purposeful Visit to the Library	94	(1)
Not Just for Conducting Research--Valuable Sources for Professional Development	95	(1)
Chapter Summary	96	(1)
List of Important Terms	96	(1)
Your Current Status	96	(1)
Activities for Thought and Discussion	97	(1)
Answers to Chapter Exercises	97	(1)
References and Recommended Readings	97	(2)
Interpreting and Summarizing Published Research	99	(20)
Preview	99	(1)
Targeted Learnings	100	(1)
Reading Research Reports	100	(1)
Skimming the Information	100	(1)
Information Organizer	101	(4)
Summarizing the Reports	102	(3)
Interpreting the Statistical Information You Encounter	105	(8)
Applying Technology: Writing a Review of Literature	106	(1)
Status Reports	107	(3)
Review of Terminology Used in Status Reports	110	(1)
Comparison Reports	110	(3)
Review of Terminology Used in Comparison Reports	113	(1)
Correlational Reports	113	(1)
Review of Terminology Used in Correlational Reports	114	(1)
The Concept of Significance	115	(1)
Chapter Summary	116	(1)
List of Important Terms	117	(1)
Your Current Status	117	(1)
Activities for Thought and Discussion	117	(1)
Answers to Chapter Exercises	118	(1)
References and Recommended Readings	118	(1)
PART THREE Conducting Your Own Research Project	119	(116)
Designing a Research Project	121	(24)
Preview	121	(1)
Targeted Learnings	121	(1)
Information Organizer	122	(1)
How Planning Should Be Done	122	(1)
The Approach to Planning Advocated in This Book	123	(1)
Tasks to Be Accomplished When Planning Research	123	(15)
State the Topic, Problem, and Questions and/or Hypotheses	124	(5)
Outline the Library Search for Related Information	129	(2)
Identify Needed Data and Sources	131	(2)
List the Steps You Will Need to Carry Out to Complete the Study	133	(1)
Specify the Procedures and Tools You Will Employ in Collecting Data	134	(1)
Foresee How Data Can Best Be Analyzed and Interpreted	135	(1)
Anticipate the Appropriate Report Format for Your Research	136	(1)
Applying Technology: More Guidelines for Reports	137	(1)
Illustrative Example of Planning a Research Project	138	(3)
Topic and Problem	138	(1)
Examination of the Literature	139	(1)
Required Data and Data Sources	139	(1)
Appraisal of Holly's Plan	140	(1)
Chapter Summary	141	(3)
Comprehensive Guide for Planning Educational Research	141	(3)
Your Current Status	144	(1)
Activities for Thought and Discussion	144	(1)
References and Recommended Readings	144	(1)
Procedures and Tools for Gathering Data	145	(32)
Preview	145	(1)
Targeted Learnings	145	(1)
Information Organizer	146	(1)
Types of Research and Their Typical Foci	147	(1)
Types of Data Needed	148	(1)
Sources of Data for Various Types of Research	148	(1)
Samples and Their Selection	149	(5)
Are Samples Necessary in Research?	149	(1)
Can Small Samples Represent Large Populations?	150	(1)
Probability Sampling	150	(1)
Nonprobability Sampling	151	(2)
Applying Technology: Probability and Nonprobability Sampling	153	(1)
Size of Samples	154	(1)
Relationships among Research Focus, Data, Source, and Sample	155	(1)
Validity and Reliability in Data Collection	155	(4)
Validity of Data	155	(1)
Determining Validity of Test Data	155	(2)
Determining Validity of Non-Test Data	157	(1)
Reliability of Data	157	(1)
Determining Reliability of Test Data	158	(1)
Determining Reliability of Non-Test Data	158	(1)
Relationship between Validity and Reliability	159	(1)
Procedures in Data Collection	159	(11)
Notation	159	(1)
Description	160	(1)
Analysis	161	(1)
Questioning	162	(3)
Testing	165	(1)
Applying Technology: Survey Construction	166	(1)
Applying Technology: ERIC Clearinghouse Test Locator	167	(2)
Measurement	169	(1)
Relationships between Types of Research and Data Collection	170	(1)
Relationships among Procedures, Tools, and Formats	171	(1)
A Composite of Research Types and Data Collection Procedures	172	(1)
Data Collection Profiles	172	(1)
Chapter Summary	172	(2)
List of Important Terms	174	(1)
Your Current Status	174	(1)
Activities for Thought and Discussion	175	(1)
Answers to Chapter Exercises	175	(1)
References and Recommended Readings	175	(2)
Analyzing Research Data and Presenting Findings	177	(24)
Preview	177	(1)
Targeted Learnings	178	(1)
Information Organizer	178	(1)
Qualitative Data and Quantitative Data	179	(3)
An Example of Qualitative Analysis	180	(1)
An Example of Quantitative Analysis	181	(1)
Analyzing Ethnographic Data	182	(2)
Cautions and Reminders in Qualitative Data Analysis	184	(1)
Analyzing Quantitative Data	185	(1)
Populations and Parameters; Samples and Statistics	185	(1)
What Statistics Are Used For	186	(2)
Descriptive Statistics and Inferential Statistics	188	(10)
Applying Technology: More about Statistics	191	(1)
Applying Technology: Interactive Statistical Calculations Using WebStat	192	(4)
Cautions in Using Statistics	196	(1)
Applying Technology: Selecting an Appropriate Statistical Test	197	(1)
Presenting Your Findings	198	(1)
Chapter Summary	199	(1)
List of Important Terms	199	(1)
Your Current Status	199	(1)
Activities for Thought and Discussion	199	(1)
Answers to Chapter Exercises	200	(1)
References and Recommended Readings	200	(1)
Preparing a Research Report	201	(34)
Preview	201	(1)
Targeted Learnings	201	(1)
Information Organizer	202	(1)
Conventions in Research and Reporting	202	(1)
Conventions of Style	203	(3)
Title	203	(1)
Person and Voice	203	(1)
Tense	204	(1)
Tentative Versus Definite Statements	204	(1)
Simplicity of Language	205	(1)
Consistency	205	(1)
Conventions of Format	206	(7)
Introduction	206	(1)
Review of Related Literature	207	(2)
Procedures or Method	209	(1)
Findings or Results	210	(2)
Conclusions or Discussion	212	(1)
Front and Back Material	213	(1)
Style Guides	213	(1)
A Composite Outline of Format Conventions	214	(7)
Applying Technology: APA-Style Helper 2.0	215	(3)
Applying Technology: Organizing Research Papers with Take Note!	218	(3)
Sample Pages	221	(12)
For Research Papers and Journal Articles	221	(3)
For Masters' Theses	224	(1)
For a Thesis That Reports Action Research	224	(6)
Thesis Format for Other Types of Research	230	(3)
Chapter Summary	233	(1)
Your Current Status	233	(1)
Activities for Thought and Discussion	233	(1)
Answers to Chapter Exercises	234	(1)
PART FOUR Procedures and Exemplars in Eight Types of Research	235	(121)
Ethnographic Research	237	(26)
Preview	237	(1)
Targeted Learnings	237	(1)
Information Organizer	238	(1)
The Nature of Ethnographic Research	238	(4)
Topics in Ethnographic Research	239	(1)
Procedures in Ethnographic Research	239	(2)
The Richness of Ethnographic Research	241	(1)
Strengths and Concerns in Ethnographic Research	242	(1)
An Example of Ethnographic Research: ``Teachers in Bars: From Professional to Personal Self''	242	(10)
A Second Example of Ethnographic Research: ``I Wouldn't Want to Shoot Nobody: The Out-of-School Curriculum as Described by Urban Students''	252	(6)
Organizing for Ethnographic Research	258	(3)
Applying Technology: More about Qualitative Research	259	(2)
Chapter Summary	261	(1)
List of Important Terms	261	(1)
Activities for Thought and Discussion	261
Answers to Chapter Exercises	260	(2)
References and Recommended Readings	262	(1)
Descriptive Research and Historical Research	263	(18)
Preview	263	(1)
Targeted Learnings	263	(1)
Information Organizer	264	(1)
The Nature of Descriptive Research and Historical Research	265	(4)
Purpose and Topics	265	(1)
Hypotheses and Questions	265	(1)
Data Sources and Collection	265	(2)
Tools for Obtaining Data	267	(2)
Treatment and Analysis of Data	269	(1)
An Example of Descriptive Research: ``Urban Teachers Who Quit: Why They Leave and What They Do''	269	(3)
An Example of Historical Research: ``An A Is Not an A Is Not an A: A History of Grading''	272	(4)
Organizing for Descriptive Research and Historical Research	276	(1)
Case Study	277	(2)
Purposes of a Case Study	277	(1)
Applying Technology: More about Descriptive and Historical Research	277	(1)
Organizing and Conducting the Case Study	278	(1)
Chapter Summary	279	(1)
Activities for Thought and Discussion	280	(1)
Answers to Chapter Exercises	280	(1)
References and Recommended Readings	280	(1)
Correlational Research	281	(18)
Preview	281	(1)
Targeted Learnings	281	(1)
Information Organizer	282	(1)
Weather and the Process of Education	282	(1)
Correlations	283	(1)
The Nature of Correlational Research	284	(1)
Cautions Concerning Cause and Effect	284	(1)
Topics for Correlational Research	285	(1)
Hypotheses and Questions in Correlational Research	285	(1)
Correlational Research Design	286	(1)
Data Sources and Collection	287	(1)
What Can Be Correlated, and How	287	(1)
Product-Moment Correlation	287	(1)
Biserial Correlation and Point-Biserial Correlation	288	(1)
Phi Correlation and Tetrachoric Correlation	288	(1)
Correlations from Rankings	288	(1)
Multivariate Correlations	288	(1)
Partial Correlation	288	(1)
Multiple Regression	289	(1)
Discriminant Analysis	289	(1)
Factor Analysis	289	(1)
An Example of Correlational Research: ``Relationship of Computer Science Aptitude with Selected Achievement Measures among Junior High Students''	289	(3)
Organizing for Correlational Research	292	(5)
Selecting the Variables	293	(1)
Stating Questions or Hypotheses	293	(1)
Assessing and Quantifying the Variables	294	(1)
Selecting a Sample	295	(1)
Collecting Data	295	(1)
Analyzing the Data	295	(1)
Applying Technology: More about Correlational Research	296	(1)
Chapter Summary	297	(1)
List of Important Terms	297	(1)
Activities for Thought and Discussion	298	(1)
Answers to Chapter Exercises	298	(1)
References and Recommended Readings	298	(1)
Action Research and Evaluation Research	299	(25)
Preview	299	(1)
Targeted Learnings	299	(1)
Information Organizer	300	(1)
Action Research	301	(10)
The Action Research Process	303	(2)
A Published Example of Action Research: ``Designing an Authentic Assessment''	305	(4)
Review of Action Research	309	(1)
Organizing for Action Research	309	(1)
Strengths and Cautions in Action Research	310	(1)
Evaluation Research	311	(10)
Evaluating Methods, Materials, and Programs	311	(2)
An Example of Evaluation Research: ``Class Size Does Make a Difference''	313	(4)
Organizing for Evaluation Research	317	(2)
Applying Technology: More About Action and Evaluation Research	319	(2)
Chapter Summary	321	(1)
Activities for Thought and Discussion	321	(1)
Answers to Chapter Exercises	322	(1)
References and Recommended Readings	323	(1)
Experimental, Quasi-Experimental, and Causal-Comparative Research	324	(32)
Preview	324	(1)
Targeted Learnings	324	(1)
Information Organizer	325	(1)
The Search for Causation	326	(1)
Experimental Research	326	(1)
Quasi-Experimental Research	327	(1)
Causal-Comparative Research	327	(1)
Fundamentals of Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research	328	(5)
Cause and Effect	328	(1)
Random Selection and Assignment	328	(1)
Use of Experimental Research	328	(1)
Experimental Designs	329	(3)
Quasi-Experimental Designs	332	(1)
The Commonality of Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs	333	(1)
Threats to Internal and External Validity	334	(1)
An Example of Experimental Research: ``The Development of a Positive Self-Concept in Preservice Teachers''	335	(6)
Causal-Comparative Research	341	(3)
The Nature of Causal-Comparative Research	341	(2)
Conducting Causal-Comparative Research	343	(1)
An Example of Causal-Comparative Research: ``The Relation of Gender and Academic Achievement to Career Self-Efficacy and Interests''	344	(7)
Chapter Summary	351	(3)
Applying Technology: More about Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research Designs	352	(2)
List of Important Terms	354	(1)
Activities for Thought and Discussion	354	(1)
Answers to Chapter Exercises	354	(1)
References and Recommended Readings	355	(1)
Appendix Overview of Statistical Concepts and Procedures	356	(23)
The Nature and Uses of Statistics	356	(1)
Populations and Samples	357	(1)
Parametric Statistics and Nonparametric Statistics	358	(1)
The Calculation and Interpretation of Descriptive Statistics	359	(5)
Measures of Central Tendency	359	(1)
Measures of Variability	360	(2)
Relative Position	362	(1)
Relationships	363	(1)
Descriptive Statistics and the Normal Probability Curve	364	(1)
Relative Standings Associated with the Normal Curve	365	(2)
Percentile Rankings	366	(1)
Stanines	366	(1)
Z Scores	367	(1)
T Scores	367	(1)
Calculating and Interpreting Inferential Statistics	367	(2)
Chi-square--Its Calculation and Interpretation	369	(1)
Calculating and Interpreting Standard Error and Confidence Limits	370	(3)
Testing for Significance	373	(3)
Type I and Type II Errors	376	(1)
Review of Statistical Terminology	376	(1)
Exercise in Calculating a Coefficient of Correlation	377	(1)
Answers to Exercises	378	(1)
Glossary	379	(8)
Author Index	387	(1)
Subject Index	388