Research in Education : Evidence-Based Inquiry

by McMillan, James H.; Schumacher, Sally

• ISBN13: 9780205455300
• ISBN10: 0205455301
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

This substantially revised text, with a new title to emphasize changes, provides a comprehensive, highly accessible, and student friendly introduction to the principles, concepts, and methods currently used in educational research. This text provides a balanced combination of quantitative and qualitative methods and enables students to master skills in reading, understanding, critiquing, and conducting research. the treatment of qualitative research is parallel to that of quantitative research to enable students to better understand all approaches to research, including mixed-method, concept analysis, historical, and secondary analysis, and to be able to apply new federal standards for evaluating research. This text uses extensive examples from different journals, thoughtful pedagogy that includes instructional aids, instructional tests, key terms, application problems, concept maps, criteria for evaluating studies, and a comprehensive website.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
PART I FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH	1	(114)
Introduction to Evidence-Based Inquiry	2	(19)
Key Terms	3	(1)
Educational Research in the Twenty-First Century	3	(3)
Why Is Educational Research Important?	4	(1)
Developing Knowledge to Improve Educational Practices	5	(1)
Research as Scientific, Evidence-Based Inquiry	6	(6)
Guiding Principles of Scientific, Evidence-Based Inquiry	7	(2)
Definition of Research	9	(1)
The Characteristics of Educational Research	9	(2)
The Research Process	11	(1)
Quantitative and Qualitative Research Approaches	12	(2)
The Functions of Research: Basic, Applied, Evaluation, and Action	14	(1)
Basic Research	14	(1)
Applied Research	14	(1)
Evaluation Research	15	(1)
Action Research	15	(1)
Limitations of Educational Research	15	(3)
Summary	18	(1)
Research Navigator Notes	19	(1)
Check Yourself	19	(1)
Application Problems	20	(1)
Notes	20	(1)
Research and Designs and Reading Research Reports	21	(29)
Key Terms	22	(1)
Research Designs	22	(1)
Quantitative Research Designs	23	(3)
Experimental Designs	23	(1)
Nonexperimental Designs	24	(2)
Quantitative Research Designs	26	(1)
Interactive Methods	26	(1)
Noninteractive Methods	27	(1)
Mixed-Method Research Designs	27	(2)
Explanatory Designs	28	(1)
Exploratory Designs	28	(1)
Triangulation Designs	28	(1)
Reading and Understanding Research Reports	29	(18)
How to Read Quantitative Research: Anatomy of an Experimental Example	29	(2)
Guidelines for Evaluating Quantitative Research	31	(9)
How to Read Qualitative Research: Anatomy of a Qualitative Example	40	(1)
Guidelines for Evaluating Qualitative Research	40	(7)
Summary	47	(1)
Research Navigator Notes	48	(1)
Check Yourself	48	(1)
Application Problems	48	(1)
Note	49	(1)
Research Problems: Statements, Questions, and Hypotheses	50	(24)
Key Terms	51	(1)
The Nature of Research Problems	51	(2)
Sources of Problems	52	(1)
Formal Problem Statements	52	(1)
Problem Formulation in Quantitative Research	53	(7)
The Logic of Constructs, Variables and Operational Definitions	54	(2)
Problem Formulation	56	(1)
Specific Research Questions and Hypotheses	57	(3)
Problem Formulation in Qualitative Research	60	(5)
The Logic of Qualitative Field Records, Descriptions, and Abstractions	61	(2)
Problem Reformulation	63	(1)
Statements of Qualitative Research Purposes and Questions	64	(1)
Problem Formulation in Mixed-Method Research	65	(2)
The Significance of Problem Selection	67	(2)
Standards of Adequacy for Problem Statements	69	(2)
Summary	71	(1)
Research Navigator Notes	71	(1)
Check Yourself	72	(1)
Application Problems	72	(2)
Literature Review	74	(25)
Key Terms	75	(1)
Functions of a Review of Related Literature	75	(1)
Purposes of a Literature Review	75	(1)
Steps in Writing a Review of the Literature	76	(1)
Sources for a Literature Review	76	(5)
Sources for Secondary Literature	77	(2)
Sources for Primary Literature	79	(2)
Steps in Conducting an Electronic Search	81	(8)
Step 1: Use Secondary Sources to Locate Reviews and Related Literature	82	(1)
Step 2: Refine the Research Problem for Key Concepts	83	(1)
Step 3: Select and Search Appropriate Journal Indexes and Databases	84	(2)
Step 4: Search Primary and/or Secondary Literature	86	(2)
Step 5: Analyze Sources and Examine for Relevance	88	(1)
Evaluate, Summarize, and Analyze Primary Sources	89	(1)
Organizing and Writing a Literature Review	90	(3)
Quantitative Reviews of Literature	90	(2)
Qualitative Reviews of Literature	92	(1)
Meta-Analysis Literature Reviews	93	(3)
The Research Process	95	(1)
Standards of Adequacy	96	(1)
Summary	96	(1)
Research Navigator Notes	97	(1)
Check Yourself	97	(1)
Application Problems	97	(1)
Notes	98	(1)
Educational Research on the Internet	99	(16)
James Glaphery
Key Terms	100	(1)
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Internet for Educational Research	100	(1)
An Internet Research Strategy	101	(5)
Choosing the Right Internet Search Tool	101	(3)
Beyond Webpages: Scholarly Communication	104	(1)
Known Locations	105	(1)
Education Websites	106	(4)
Government Websites	106	(1)
Institute of Education Sciences	106	(2)
Online Journals, Reviews, and Abstracts	108	(1)
Statistics	109	(1)
Professional Associations	109	(1)
Clearinghouses	109	(1)
Evaluating and Citing Sources on the Internet	110	(1)
Evaluating Internet Resources	110	(1)
Citing Internet Resources	111	(1)
Putting It All Together: An Internet Search	111	(2)
Summary	113	(1)
Research Navigator Notes	113	(1)
Check Yourself	113	(1)
Application Problems	114	(1)
PART II QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGNS AND METHODS	115	(198)
Designing Quantitative Research	116	(32)
Key Terms	117	(1)
The Purpose of Research Design	117	(2)
Subjects: Populations and Samples	119	(11)
What Is a Population?	119	(1)
Probability Sampling	119	(6)
Nonprobability Sampling	125	(2)
Sample Size	127	(3)
Data Collection Techniques	130	(3)
Instrument Validity	130	(1)
Instrument Reliability	130	(1)
Sources for Locating and Evaluating Existing Instruments	131	(2)
Developing Instruments	133	(1)
Procedures	133	(1)
Design Validity	134	(8)
Statistical Conclusion Validity	135	(1)
Internal Validity	136	(4)
Construct Validity	140	(1)
External Validity	141	(1)
Ethical and Legal Considerations	142	(4)
Ethics of Research	142	(3)
Legal Constraints	145	(1)
Summary	146	(1)
Research Navigator Notes	146	(1)
Check Yourself	146	(1)
Application Problems	147	(1)
Note	147	(1)
Descriptive Statistics	148	(29)
Key Terms	149	(1)
Introduction to Descriptive Statistics	149	(4)
Types of Statistics	150	(1)
Scales of Measurement	151	(1)
Types of Descriptive Analysis	152	(1)
Graphic Portrayals of Data	153	(6)
Frequency Distribution or Count: A Picture of a Group	153	(2)
Stem-and-Leaf Displays	155	(1)
Histograms and Bar Graphs	155	(2)
Frequency Polygons	157	(2)
Measures of Central Tendency	159	(3)
Mean	159	(1)
Median	159	(1)
Mode	160	(1)
Relationships among Measures of Central Tendency	161	(1)
Measures of Variability	162	(7)
Range	162	(1)
Standard Deviation	163	(2)
Box-and-Whisker Plot	165	(1)
Standard Scores	166	(1)
Outliers	167	(2)
Measures of Relationship	169	(4)
Scatterplot	169	(2)
Bivariate Correlation	171	(2)
Summary	173	(2)
Research Navigator Notes	175	(1)
Check Yourself	175	(1)
Application Problems	175	(1)
Note	176	(1)
Quantitative Data Collection Techniques	177	(37)
Key Terms	178	(1)
Fundamentals of Quantitative Measurement: Technical Adequacy	178	(11)
Validity	179	(4)
Reliability	183	(6)
Paper-and-Pencil Tests	189	(5)
Standardized Tests	189	(1)
Norm and Criterion-Referenced Interpretation	190	(1)
Aptitude Tests	191	(1)
Achievement Tests	191	(2)
Alternative Assessments	193	(1)
Personality, Attitude, Value, and Interest Inventories	194	(1)
Questionnaires	194	(9)
Justification	194	(1)
Defining Objectives	195	(1)
Writing Questions and Statements	195	(2)
Types of Items	197	(3)
Item Format	200	(1)
General Format	201	(1)
Pilot Testing	202	(1)
Interview Schedules	203	(4)
Preparing the Interview	204	(1)
During the Interview	205	(2)
Observation Schedules	207	(3)
Justification	208	(1)
Defining Observational Units	208	(1)
Recording Observations	208	(1)
Training Observers	209	(1)
Unobtrusive Measures	210	(1)
Summary	210	(2)
Research Navigator Notes	212	(1)
Check Yourself	212	(1)
Application Problems	212	(1)
Notes	213	(1)
Nonexperimental Research Designs and Surveys	214	(38)
Key Terms	215	(1)
Simple Descriptive Designs	215	(3)
A Word about Relationships in Nonexperimental Research	218	(1)
Comparative Designs	219	(2)
Correlational Designs	221	(12)
Bivariate Correlational Studies	222	(2)
Prediction Studies	224	(4)
Interpreting Correlational Research	228	(5)
Survey Research	233	(7)
What Is Survey Research?	233	(1)
Conducting Survey Research	234	(4)
Internet-Based Surveys	238	(2)
Ex Post Facto Designs	240	(3)
Characteristics of Ex Post Facto Research	240	(1)
Conducting Ex Post Facto Research	241	(2)
Standards of Adequacy	243	(1)
Summary	244	(1)
Research Navigator Notes	245	(1)
Check Yourself	245	(1)
Application Problems	245	(7)
Experimental and Single-Subject Research Designs	252	(35)
Key Terms	253	(1)
Introduction to Experimental Research	253	(5)
Characteristics of Experimental Research	254	(1)
Strengths and Limitations of Experimental Research	255	(2)
Planning Experimental Research	257	(1)
Experimental Validity	258	(4)
Statistical Conclusion Validity	258	(1)
Internal Validity	258	(1)
Construct Validity	259	(2)
External Validity	261	(1)
Pre-Experimental Designs	262	(5)
Notation	262	(1)
Single-Group Posttest-Only Design	263	(1)
Single-Group Pretest-Posttest Design	264	(2)
Nonequivalent Groups Posttest-Only Design	266	(1)
Randomized Experimental Designs	267	(6)
Randomized Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design	267	(2)
Randomized Pretest-Posttest Comparison Group Design	269	(3)
Randomized Posttest-Only Control and Comparison Group Designs	272	(1)
Quasi-Experimental Designs	273	(5)
Nonequivalent Groups Pretest-Posttest Control and Comparison Group Designs	273	(2)
Time-Series Designs	275	(3)
Single-Subject Designs	278	(4)
A-B Design	279	(1)
A-B-A Design	280	(1)
Multiple-Baseline Designs	281	(1)
Standards of Adequacy	282	(1)
Summary	283	(1)
Research Navigator Notes	283	(1)
Check Yourself	283	(1)
Application Problems	284	(2)
Note	286	(1)
Inferential Statistics	287	(26)
Key Terms	288	(1)
Logic of Inferential Statistics	288	(3)
Probability	288	(1)
Error in Sampling and Measurement	289	(2)
Null and Alternative Hypotheses	291	(1)
Level of Significance	292	(2)
Errors in Hypothesis Testing	293	(1)
Interpreting Level of Significance	293	(1)
Magnitude of Effect	294	(3)
Comparing Two Means: The t-Test	297	(4)
Comparing Two or More Means: Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)	301	(7)
One-Way Analysis of Variance	301	(1)
Post Hoc and Planned Comparison Procedures	302	(1)
Factorial Analysis of Variance	303	(4)
Analysis of Covariance	307	(1)
Nonparametric Tests	308	(2)
Multivariate Analyses	310	(1)
Summary	311	(1)
Research Navigator Notes	312	(1)
Check Yourself	312	(1)
Application Problems	312	(1)
PART III QUALITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGNS AND METHODS	313	(86)
Designing Qualitative Research	314	(25)
Key Terms	315	(1)
Purposes, Research Questions, and Case Study Design	315	(4)
Research Approach and Orientation	315	(1)
Purpose and Research Questions	316	(1)
Case Study Design	316	(1)
Significance and Justification	317	(2)
Purposeful Sampling Strategies	319	(3)
Site Selection	319	(1)
Comprehensive Sampling	319	(1)
Maximum Variation Sampling	320	(1)
Network Sampling	321	(1)
Sampling by Case Type	321	(1)
Sample Size	321	(1)
Phases of Data Collection and Analysis Strategies	322	(2)
Validity of Qualitative Designs	324	(3)
Strategies to Enhance Validity	324	(3)
Reflexivity in Qualitative Research	327	(3)
Interpersonal Subjectivity and Reflexivity	327	(1)
Strategies to Enhance Reflexivity	328	(2)
Extension of Qualitative Findings	330	(3)
Design Components to Generate Extension of Findings	330	(3)
Research Ethics: Roles and Reciprocity	333	(2)
Ethical Dilemmas in Fieldwork	334	(1)
Research Ethics in Fieldwork	334	(1)
Standards of Adequacy	335	(1)
Summary	336	(1)
Research Navigator Notes	337	(1)
Check Yourself	337	(1)
Application Problems	337	(1)
Notes	338	(1)
Qualitative Strategies	339	(24)
Key Terms	340	(1)
Multimethod Strategies	340	(1)
Foreshadowed Problems and Reformulations	341	(1)
Question Reformulations	341	(1)
Focus of Data Collection Strategies	341	(1)
Entry into the Field	342	(4)
Site Selection and Mapping the Field	342	(2)
Selection of Interviewees	344	(1)
Research Role	344	(2)
Participant Observation	346	(4)
Onsite Participant Observation	347	(1)
Prolonged Data Collection	347	(1)
Intensive Observing and Listening	347	(1)
Corroborating Field Observations	348	(1)
Salient Field Observations	348	(1)
Field Notes and Reflex Records	348	(2)
In-Depth Interviews	350	(6)
Types of Interviews and Specialized Applications	350	(2)
Qualitative Questions, Probes, and Pauses	352	(2)
Question Sequence	354	(1)
Interview Logistics	355	(1)
Interview Records, Transcripts, and Elaborations	355	(1)
Documents and Artifact Collection	356	(2)
Types of Artifacts	356	(2)
Analysis and Interpretation of Artifact Collections	358	(1)
Field Observations and Supplementary Techniques	358	(2)
Field Observations	359	(1)
Supplementary Techniques	359	(1)
Standards of Adequacy for Qualitative Strategies	360	(1)
Summary	361	(1)
Research Navigator Notes	361	(1)
Check Yourself	362	(1)
Application Problems	362	(1)
Notes	362	(1)
Qualitative Data Analysis	363	(36)
Key Terms	364	(1)
Inductive Analysis: An Overview	364	(2)
The Process of Inductive Analysis	364	(1)
Analytical Styles	365	(1)
Interim Analysis	366	(1)
Organizing, Coding and Categorizing	367	(6)
Organizing the Data	367	(3)
Forming Categories	370	(2)
Combining Emic and Etic Terms	372	(1)
Discovering Patterns	373	(4)
Techniques of Pattern Seeking	374	(2)
Plausibility of Patterns	376	(1)
Electronic Qualitative Data Analysis	377	(3)
Creating a Data Storage System	377	(1)
Combining Manual and Electronic Data Analysis	378	(1)
Using QDA Software Programs	379	(1)
Variations in Narrative Structure and Representation	380	(16)
Audience and Authorial Presence	381	(1)
Framing the Narrative and Presenting the Participants' Language	381	(1)
Narrative Structures and Visual Representations	382	(14)
Summary	396	(1)
Research Navigator Notes	396	(1)
Check Yourself	397	(1)
Application Problems	397	(1)
Notes	398	(1)
PART IV EMERGING METHODS OF RESEARCH	399	(22)
Mixed-Method Designs, Secondary Data Analysis, and Action Research	400	(21)
Key Terms	401	(1)
Mixed-Method Designs by Angela L. Snyder	401	(5)
Types of Mixed-Method Designs	402	(1)
Notation System	402	(3)
Conducting Mixed-Method Research	405	(1)
Secondary Data Analysis by Kirsten Barrett	406	(8)
Defining Secondary Data	406	(1)
Reasons for Using Secondary Data	406	(1)
Considerations for Using Secondary Data	407	(3)
Protecting Human Subjects	410	(1)
Myths about Secondary Data	410	(2)
Combining Secondary Data with Primary Data Collection	412	(1)
Research Articles and Secondary Data	413	(1)
Action Research	414	(4)
Defining Action Research	414	(1)
Conducting and Using Action Research	415	(2)
Evaluating Action Research	417	(1)
Summary	418	(1)
Research Navigator Notes	419	(1)
Check Yourself	419	(1)
Application Problems	419	(1)
Note	420	(1)
PART V ANALYTICAL RESEARCH	421	(16)
Concept Analysis and Historical Research	422	(15)
Key Terms	423	(1)
Overview and Purposes of Analytical Research	423	(1)
Analysis of Educational Concepts	424	(1)
Analysis of Historical Events in Education	425	(8)
Topics and Justifications	425	(1)
Location and Criticism of Sources	426	(5)
Facts, Generalizations, and Analytical Explanations	431	(2)
Oral History	433	(1)
Credibility Standards for Analytical Research	434	(1)
Summary	434	(1)
Research Navigator Notes	435	(1)
Check Yourself	435	(1)
Application Problems	435	(1)
Notes	436	(1)
PART VI EVALUATION AND POLICY RESEARCH DESIGNS AND METHODS	437	(18)
Evaluation Research and Policy Analysis	438	(17)
Key Terms	439	(1)
Purposes and Definition of Evaluation Research	439	(3)
Purposes and Roles of Evaluation	439	(1)
Definition and Types of Evaluation	440	(1)
Standards for Judging the Quality of Evaluation Research	440	(2)
Selected Approaches to Evaluation	442	(6)
Objectives-Oriented Evaluation	442	(2)
Decision-Oriented Evaluation	444	(2)
Participant-Oriented Evaluation	446	(2)
Policy Analysis	448	(2)
Characteristics of Policy Analysis	448	(1)
Methods of Policy Analysis	448	(2)
Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis: Potential Benefits and Limitations	450	(1)
Credibility of Evaluation and Policy Reports	451	(1)
Summary	452	(1)
Research Navigator Notes	452	(1)
Check Yourself	453	(1)
Application Problems	453	(1)
Notes	454	(1)
Answers to Application Problems	455	(7)
Appendix A Guidelines for Writing Research Proposals	462	(5)
Appendix B Guidelines for Writing Research Reports	467	(3)
Appendix C Glossary	470	(9)
Appendix D Calculations for Selected Descriptive and Inferential Statistics	479	(18)
References	497	(4)
Name Index	501	(6)
Subject Index	507