Designing and Conducting Research in Education

by Drew, Clifford J.; Hardman, Michael L.; Hosp, John L.

• ISBN13: 9781412918091
• ISBN10: 141291809X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-10-02
• Publisher: Sage Pubns

Summary

The research process in this book begins with identification of the research question and proceeds through each step including planning data collection, actual collection and analysis of the data, and writing the report. This text proceeds through multiple methodologies including experimental and non-experimental, quantitative and qualitative. At every step the emphasis is on planning and executing the study. The part of the investigation dealing with data analysis outlines what analysis to use under which circumstances, not how to do the analysis. It is the belief of the authors that statistics books and statistics courses are designed to accomplish this latter task for quantitative studies and that texts solely devoted to qualitative methods provide details on that type of analysis. Thus the purpose of this book is to provide a first step into the world of research for students without a background in research. From this beginning the student may then proceed to more advanced work or terminate the study of research with a general working knowledge as a consumer of research. Key features: Simulations and feedback that may be used in class sessions for both individual and small group participation Pedagogy to help students plan and conduct a research project in an actual classroom Examples that demonstrate and explain what constitutes good and poor research questions Case studies and "real life" examples related to education A Student Web site that provides students with the opportunity to interact with contemporary articles Intended Audience: This book provides an introduction to research that emphasizes the fundamental concepts of planning and design. The book is designed to be a core text for the very first course on research methods. In some fields the first course is offered at an undergraduate level whereas in others it is a beginning graduate class.

Table of Contents

Preface Part I: Overview of Research Chapter 1: The Foundations of Research Chapter Objectives Perspectives on Educational Research Defining Ways of Conducting Research Foundations of Research Research Types and Methods in Brief The Research Process Summary About Simulations Simulation 1.1 Chapter 2: The Research Process Chapter Objectives Finding a Topic to Research Steps in the Scientific Method Summary Simulation 2.1 Chapter 3: Ethical Issues in Conducting Research Chapter Objectives Ensuring the Protection of Human Participants Ethical Considerations in Quantitative and Qualitative Research Monitoring Ethics in Research: Institutional Review Boards Ethics and Professionalism Summary Simulation 3.1 Chapter 4: Participant Selection and Assignment Chapter Objectives Participant Selection Participant Assignment Summary Simulation 4.1 Chapter 5: Measures and Instruments Chapter Objectives Selection and Definition of Criterion Measures Instruments or Tasks Summary Simulation 5.1 Part II: Research Methods and Designs Chapter 6: Quantitative Research Methodologies Chapter Objectives Defining Quantitative Research Basic Experimental Design Formats Traditional Group Experimental Designs After the Design: Analysis and Interpretation Summary Simulation 6.1 Chapter 7: Designing Non-Experimental Research Chapter Objectives Defining Experimental and Non-Experimental Research Survey Research Observation Studies Summary Simulation 7.1 Chapter 8: Introduction to Qualitative Research and Mixed-Methods Design Chapter Objectives An Overview of Qualitative Research Mixed Methods Summary Simulation 8.1 Chapter 9: Research Design Pitfalls Chapter Objectives Types of Design Validity Threats to Experimental Design Validity Standards of Rigor Summary Simulation 9.1 Part III: Data Analysis and Results Interpretation Chapter 10: Statistics Choices Statistics: What and Why The Decision Tree: Moving from the Question to the Analysis The Importance of Data Type in Selecting Statistics Summary Simulation 10.1 Simulation 10.2 Chapter 11: Data Tabulation Chapter Objectives Aggregating Data Tables Graphing Data Summary Simulation 11.1 Chapter 12: Descriptive Statistics Chapter Objectives Categories of Descriptive Statistics Summary Simulation 12.1 Simulation 12.2 Chapter 13: Inferential Statistics Chapter Objectives General Background of Inferential Statistics Difference Questions: Which Statistic and When Relationship Questions: Which Statistic and When Summary Simulation 13.1 Simulation 13.2 Chapter 14: Analyzing Qualitative Data Chapter Objectives Preliminary Analysis Post Data-Gathering Analysis Inductive and Deductive Analyses Phenomenological Analytical Techniques Reporting Qualitative Research Summary Simulation 14.1 Chapter 15: Interpreting Results Research as an Integrated Process Interpretation of Results Acquiring Interpretation Skills for Research Summary Simulation 15.1 Appendix A: Table of Random Numbers References Glossary/Index