Reading and Understanding Research

by Lawrence F. Locke

• ISBN13: 9781412975742
• ISBN10: 1412975743
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-07-06
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

There is virtually no way to complete one's education without encountering a research report. The book that has helped demystify qualitative and quantitative research articles for thousands of readers, from the authors of the best-selling Proposals that Work, has been revised. This edition is completely reorganized to separate quantitative and qualitative research with four new distinct sections (research reports, quantitative research, qualitative research, and research reviews. The authors presume no special background in research, and begin by introducing and framing the notion of reading research within a wider social context. Next they offer insight on when to seek out research, locating and selecting the right reports, and how to help evaluate research for trustworthiness. This book is ideal for a novice researcher (and those that teach them!).Features and Benefits:A comprehensive guide that leads readers through the research process, discussing what types of sources exist, what to look for in each one, levels of credibility, and how to stay organized during the process.Complete coverage of the types of research that exist.Four fully-updated appendices that offer a bibliography of references for the reader's "next steps," detailed examples (with flowcharts) of completed twelve-step forms, a list of questions to ask when critically evaluating a report, and a brief overview of statistics.New to this edition:This edition has been completely reorganized so that the information on quantitative and qualitative research is separate.This edition has four sections (i.e., research reports, quantitative research, qualitative research, and research reviews), each with a specific focus and a total of thirteen chapters.The first chapter now is focused on the positive things readers can get from research and the old chapter 1 is now the third chapter.Incorporated Appendix C from the second edition (examples of 12-step forms) into the appropriate chapters in the body of the text.Updated and expanded references and citations throughout the book.Updated information throughout the book where information has changed.For those that did not change from the first to the second edition, replaced the articles that serve as examples of the different types of research in chapters 6, 10, and 13. These new examples also cover a broader range of academic topics than in previous editions.Updated the annotated bibliography in Appendix A.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

The Nature and Uses of Research Reports

The Research Report

When to Believe What You Read: The Sources of Credibility

How to Select and Read Research Reports

The Use, Misuse, and Misunderstanding of Research

Types of Research: An Overview of Variety

Quantitative Research

Quantitative Research Designs

Staying Organized When Reading a Quantitative Report

Explaining as a Tool for Learning to Read Reports

Reading Reports of Quantitative Research-Critically: Things to Notice and Questions to Ask

Qualitative Research

The Paradigms for Qualitative Research

Staying Organized When Reading a Qualitative Report

Reading Reports of Qualitative Research-Critically: Things the Reader Should Expect

Reading Research Reviews

Staying Organized When Reading Research Reviews

Annotated Bibliography of Supplementary References

Statistics: A Beginner's Guide

References

Name Index

Subject Index

About the Authors

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