Research Design

by Creswell, John W.

• ISBN13: 9780803952553
• ISBN10: 0803952554
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1994-06-01
• Publisher: Sage Pubns

Summary

This book provides the basis for deciding whether to use a qualitative or quantitative approach for the design of a research study and how to write up the results of a study for a journal article or dissertation. Addressing these issues, the author offers a guide to the major design decisions, such as deciding upon a paradigm, stating the purpose of the study, identifying the research questions and hypotheses, using theory and defining and stating the significance of the study.

Table of Contents

Preface	xv
A Framework for the Study	1	(19)
A Focus for the Study	2	(2)
A Paradigm for the Study	4	(6)
Methods Associated with the Paradigms	10	(2)
A Format for Composing Sections	12	(3)
Summary	15	(1)
Writing Exercises	16	(1)
Additional Readings	17	(3)
Use of the Literature	20	(21)
Purposes of the Literature	20	(1)
The Literature in a Qualitative or Quantitative Study	21	(3)
Design Techniques in Literature Use	24	(13)
Summary	37	(1)
Writing Exercises	38	(1)
Additional Readings	39	(2)
The Introduction to the Study	41	(15)
An Introduction	42	(1)
Qualitative and Quantitative Introductions	42	(3)
An Illustration	45	(3)
The Problem in the Study	48	(2)
Literature About the Problem	50	(1)
Deficiencies in Past Literature	51	(2)
The Audience	53	(1)
Summary	53	(1)
Writing Exercises	54	(1)
Additional Readings	55	(1)
The Purpose Statement	56	(13)
Significance and Meaning of a Purpose Statement	57	(1)
A Qualitative Purpose Statement	57	(5)
A Quantitative Purpose Statement	62	(4)
Summary	66	(1)
Writing Exercises	67	(1)
Additional Readings	68	(1)
Questions, Objectives, and Hypotheses	69	(12)
Qualitative Research Questions	70	(2)
Quantitative Research Questions, Objectives, and Hypotheses	72	(4)
A Model for Quantitative Questions or Hypotheses	76	(2)
Summary	78	(1)
Writing Exercises	78	(1)
Additional Readings	79	(2)
The Use of a Theory	81	(24)
A Quantitative Perspective	82	(7)
A Model for Writing a Quantitative Theoretical Perspective	89	(4)
A Qualitative Perspective	93	(7)
Summary	100	(1)
Writing Exercises	101	(1)
Additional Readings	102	(3)
Definitions, Delimitations, and Significance	105	(11)
The Definition of Terms	106	(4)
Delimitations and Limitations	110	(2)
Significance of the Study	112	(1)
Summary	112	(1)
Writing Exercises	113	(1)
Additional Readings	114	(2)
A Quantitative Method	116	(27)
Definitions	117	(1)
Components of a Survey Method Plan	117	(7)
An Example of an Survey Method	124	(2)
Components of an Experimental Method Plan	126	(10)
An Example of an Experimental Method Section	136	(3)
Summary	139	(1)
Writing Exercises	139	(1)
Additional Readings	140	(3)
A Qualitative Procedure	143	(30)
The Assumptions of Qualitative Designs	145	(1)
The Type of Design	146	(1)
The Researcher's Role	147	(1)
The Data Collection Procedures	148	(1)
Data Recording Procedures	149	(4)
Data Analysis Procedures	153	(4)
Verification Steps	157	(2)
The Qualitative Narrative	159	(2)
An Example	161	(8)
Summary	169	(1)
Writing Exercises	170	(1)
Additional Readings	171	(2)
Combined Qualitative and Quantitative Designs	173	(20)
The Combination of Methods and Designs	174	(3)
Models of Combined Designs	177	(1)
The Models and Design Phases	178	(7)
Examples	185	(4)
Summary	189	(1)
Writing Exercises	190	(1)
Additional Readings	191	(2)
Scholarly Writing	193	(16)
Writing as Thinking	194	(1)
The Habit of Writing	195	(2)
Readability of the Manuscript	197	(4)
Voice, Tense, and Fat	201	(3)
Computer Programs for Writing	204	(1)
Summary	204	(1)
Writing Exercises	205	(1)
Additional Readings	206	(3)
References	209	(8)
Author Index	217	(4)
Subject Index	221	(7)
About the Author	228