Research Methods in Education: An Introduction

by Wiersma, William

• ISBN13: 9780205284924
• ISBN10: 0205284922
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

A classic in its field, Research Methods in Education retains the clear, concise writing style and organization that has made the text so popular. It has been updated with a new chapter on evaluating research papers, additional information on computers and software used in research, and a data disk consisting of three data sets that accompanies the text. Research Methods in Education helps students evaluate research literature as well as master research methodology. It emphasizes the rationale for commonly used research procedures and their applications. The nature of educational research is outlined and the steps in the research process are clearly defined. Because identification of a research problem is so important, the entire second chapter is devoted to this topic. The text is broad in scope covering both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies as well as sampling designs, measurement, data collection, preparation of data sets for computer analysis, statistical procedures, and reports. Research Methods in Education gives students a solid understanding of all the elements of research.

Table of Contents

Preface	xvii
Acknowledgments	xix
Educational Research: Its Nature and Characteristics	1	(26)
Introduction	1	(1)
The Nature of Educational Research	2	(7)
The Systematic Process of Research	3	(1)
The Validity of Educational Research	4	(1)
Internal Validity	4	(2)
External Validity	6	(2)
The Reliability of Educational Research	8	(1)
Research Has a Variety of Forms	9	(1)
Classification of Educational Research	9	(8)
Basic and Applied Research	10	(1)
Qualitative and Quantitative Research	11	(2)
General Methods of Research	13	(1)
Experimental Research	14	(1)
Quasi-Experimental Research	14	(1)
Survey Research	14	(1)
Historical Research	15	(1)
Ethnographic Research	15	(2)
The Role of Theory	17	(2)
The Activities of the Research Process	19	(4)
Identification of the Research Problem	21	(1)
Data Collection	21	(1)
Analysis	21	(1)
Summarizing Results and Drawing Conclusions	21	(2)
Summary	23	(2)
The Function of Educational Research	23	(2)
Key Concepts	25	(1)
Exercises	25	(1)
Notes	26	(1)
References	26	(1)
Identification of a Research Problem	27	(25)
Selection of a Research Problem	27	(2)
Statement of the Research Problem	29	(19)
Constants, Variables, and Operational Definition	32	(1)
Independent and Dependent Variables	32	(1)
Other Possible Types of Variables	33	(2)
Variables as They Are Measured	35	(1)
Operational Definition	36	(1)
Hypotheses and the Statement of the Problem	37	(2)
Types and Forms of Hypotheses	39	(3)
Examples of Hypotheses Related to Problem Statements	42	(6)
Summary	48	(1)
Key Concepts	49	(1)
Exercises	49	(2)
Notes	51	(1)
Reference	51	(1)
The Review of the Literature	52	(30)
The Activities of the Review of the Literature	53	(1)
Sources of Information	53	(12)
Periodical Literature	54	(1)
Education Index	54	(2)
Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC)	56	(1)
An Example Using CIJE and RIE	56	(4)
Other Indexes and Abstracts	60	(1)
Review of Educational Research (RER)	61	(1)
Reports of Meta-Analysis	62	(1)
Abstracts and Reports in Periodicals	62	(1)
Theses and Dissertations	63	(1)
Books	64	(1)
Computer Searches	65	(5)
Conducting a Search	66	(1)
Limiting or Broadening a Search	66	(1)
Searching a Database for a Specific Research Problem	67	(3)
Other Sources Available Through the Computer	70	(1)
Selecting Studies for the Review of the Literature	70	(3)
Assembling and Summarizing Information	73	(2)
Abstract or Summary	74	(1)
Organizing Information	75	(1)
Interpreting and Using Information	75	(4)
Critical Review	76	(1)
Writing the Review	77	(1)
Referencing	77	(1)
Preparing the Bibliography	78	(1)
Summary	79	(1)
Key Concepts	80	(1)
Exercises	80	(1)
Notes	81	(1)
References	81	(1)
Research Design in Quantitative Research	82	(15)
The Purposes of Research Design	82	(1)
The Concept of Controlling Variance	83	(9)
Procedures for Controlling Variance	84	(1)
Randomization	84	(2)
Building in Factors as Independent Variables	86	(1)
Holding Factors Constant	87	(1)
Statistical Control	88	(2)
Using Procedures for Control in Combination	90	(2)
Characteristics of Good Research Design	92	(1)
Freedom from Bias	92	(1)
Freedom from Confounding	92	(1)
Control of Extraneous Variables	93	(1)
Statistical Precision for Testing Hypotheses	93	(1)
Summary	93	(1)
Key Concepts	94	(1)
Exercises	94	(2)
Notes	96	(1)
References	96	(1)
Experimental Research	97	(31)
The Meaning of Experimental Design	97	(3)
Experimental Variables	99	(1)
Use of the Term Subject	100	(1)
Criteria for a Well-Designed Experiment	100	(5)
Experimental Validity	101	(2)
Threats to Experimental Validity	103	(2)
Posttest-Only Control Group Design	105	(2)
Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design	107	(2)
Solomon Four-Group Design	109	(2)
Factorial Designs	111	(3)
Repeated Measures Designs	114	(2)
Designs Extended in Time	116	(3)
Time Series Designs	118	(1)
Interpreting Results of Experiments	119	(4)
Randomness and Representativeness	123	(1)
Summary	124	(1)
Key Concepts	124	(1)
Exercises	124	(3)
Notes	127	(1)
References	127	(1)
Quasi-Experimental Research	128	(29)
The Problems of Validity	128	(1)
Posttest-Only, Nonequivalent Control Group Design	129	(3)
Pretest-Posttest, Nonequivalent Control Group Design	132	(2)
Time Series Designs	134	(6)
Single-Group Time Series Design	135	(2)
Multiple-Group Time Series Design	137	(2)
Variations in Time Series Designs	139	(1)
Single-Subject Designs	140	(10)
A-B Design	141	(2)
A-B-A Design	143	(2)
A-B-A-B Design	145	(3)
Multiple-Baseline Designs	148	(1)
Multiple-Baseline Design Across Behaviors	148	(1)
Multiple-Baseline Design Across Subjects	149	(1)
Multiple-Baseline Design Across Situations	149	(1)
Action Research and Quasi-Experimental Research	150	(3)
Summary	153	(1)
Key Concepts	154	(1)
Exercises	154	(2)
Notes	156	(1)
References	156	(1)
Survey Research	157	(41)
Survey Research: Its Scope and Description	157	(4)
Ex post facto Research	158	(1)
Causal-Comparative Research Examples	158	(1)
Correlational Research Examples	159	(1)
Other Survey Research	160	(1)
Survey Designs	161	(3)
Longitudinal Designs	161	(2)
Cross-Sectional Designs	163	(1)
The Methodology of Survey Research	164	(2)
Questionnaire Surveys	166	(17)
Item Construction	169	(1)
Item Format	170	(1)
Pilot Run of the Items	171	(1)
The Cover Letter	172	(1)
Questionnaire Format	173	(2)
Procedures for Increasing Response Rate	175	(2)
Follow-up Procedures	177	(1)
Identifying Sources of Nonresponse	178	(1)
Incomplete and Possible Dishonest Response	179	(1)
Examples	180	(1)
Community Surveys	180	(3)
Client Surveys	183	(1)
Interview Surveys	183	(7)
Interview Items	185	(1)
Conducting the Interview	186	(2)
Potential Sources of Error	188	(1)
Telephone Interviews	189	(1)
A Comment About Branching Items	190	(1)
Other Surveys	190	(1)
Analyzing and Reporting Survey Results	191	(2)
Hypothetical Example 1	192	(1)
Hypothetical Example 2	192	(1)
Summary	193	(1)
Key Concepts	194	(1)
Exercises	194	(2)
Notes	196	(1)
References	196	(2)
Research Design in Qualitative Research	198	(20)
The Epistemology of Qualitative Research	198	(2)
Components of Research Design	200	(6)
Working Design	200	(1)
Working Hypotheses	201	(1)
Data Collection	201	(1)
Data Analysis and Interpretation	202	(1)
Possible Codes	203	(1)
Coding Examples	204	(2)
Types of Designs in Qualitative Research	206	(1)
Perspectives for Qualitative Research	207	(4)
Example: Funnel Approach	208	(2)
Example: Modified Analytic Induction Approach	210	(1)
Reliability and Validity of Qualitative Research	211	(1)
Use of Computers in Qualitative Research	212	(3)
Capabilities of Computer Software in Qualitative Research	212	(3)
Summary	215	(1)
Key Concepts	215	(1)
Exercises	215	(2)
Notes	217	(1)
References	217	(1)
Historical Research	218	(19)
The Value of Historical Research	219	(2)
Sources of Information in Historical Research	221	(1)
The Methodology of Historical Research	221	(8)
Identification of the Research Problem	222	(3)
Collection and Evaluation of Source Materials	225	(1)
External Criticism	225	(1)
Internal Criticism	226	(1)
Synthesis of Information	227	(1)
Analysis, Interpretation, and Formulating	228	(1)
Quantitative Methods in Historical Research	229	(1)
Comments on the Reporting of Historical Research	230	(3)
Reports in Professional Journals	231	(2)
Summary	233	(1)
Key Concepts	234	(1)
Exercises	234	(1)
References	235	(2)
Ethnographic Research	237	(32)
The Nature of Ethnography in Education	237	(3)
The Phenomenological Nature	238	(1)
The Naturalistic Nature	239	(1)
The Holistic and General Perspective	240	(1)
A Conceptual Schema for Ethnographic Research	240	(2)
The Process of Ethnographic Research	242	(14)
Identification of the Phenomenon to Be Studied	244	(2)
Identification of Subjects	246	(1)
Hypothesis Generation	247	(1)
Data Collection	247	(1)
Observation	248	(1)
Videotaping	249	(1)
Interviewing	250	(1)
Reviewing Other Sources	250	(1)
Triangulation	251	(1)
Analysis	252	(1)
Coding	253	(1)
Use of Numbers	254	(2)
Drawing Conclusions	256	(1)
Examples of Ethnographic Research in Education	256	(3)
The Reliability and Validity of Ethnographic Research	259	(5)
Reliability	260	(1)
Validity	261	(3)
The Role of Ethnographic Research	264	(1)
Summary	265	(1)
Key Concepts	266	(1)
Exercises	266	(1)
Notes	267	(1)
References	267	(2)
Sampling Designs	269	(26)
The Concept of a Random Sample	269	(6)
Random Selection and Random Assignment	270	(1)
Use of a Random Number Table	271	(2)
Use of the Computer in Sample Selection	273	(1)
Sampling Error and Sampling Bias	274	(1)
Criteria for a Sampling Design	275	(1)
Stratified Random Sampling	276	(3)
Allocation of Sample Size Among Strata	277	(2)
Cluster Sampling	279	(1)
Systematic Sampling	280	(2)
Possible Problem of Periodicity	281	(1)
Considerations in Determining Sample Size---Random Sampling	282	(2)
Purposeful Sampling	284	(7)
Comprehensive Sampling	285	(1)
Maximum Variation Sampling	286	(1)
Extreme Case Sampling	286	(1)
Typical Case Sampling	287	(1)
Homogeneous Sampling	287	(1)
Other Variations of Purposeful Sampling	287	(1)
Sample Size of Purposeful Samples	288	(3)
Summary	291	(1)
Key Concepts	292	(2)
Notes	294	(1)
References	294	(1)
Measurement and Data Collection	295	(28)
Concepts of Measurement	295	(7)
Types of Measurement Scales	296	(1)
Reliability of Measurement	297	(1)
Empirical Procedures for Estimating Reliability	297	(2)
Expected Reliability Coefficients for Various Types of Tests	299	(1)
Validity of Measurement	299	(1)
Content-Related Evidence	300	(1)
Criterion-Related Evidence: Concurrent and Predictive	301	(1)
Construct-Related Evidence	301	(1)
The Variables Measured in Educational Research	302	(1)
Tests and Inventories Used for Measurement	303	(11)
Achievement Tests in Academic and Skills Areas	303	(2)
Attitude Inventories	305	(1)
Likert Scale	305	(2)
Semantic Differential	307	(2)
Aptitude Tests	309	(1)
Personality Measures	310	(1)
Rating Scales	311	(1)
Observation Systems	312	(2)
Measures Involving Holistic Scoring	314	(1)
Where to Find Test Information	315	(1)
Scoring and Data Preparation	316	(2)
Coding Data	316	(2)
An Example of a Data File	318	(1)
Summary	318	(2)
Key Concepts	320	(1)
Exercises	320	(2)
Notes	322	(1)
References	322	(1)
Data Analysis: Descriptive Statistics	323	(21)
The Multiple Meanings of Statistics	323	(1)
Distributions	324	(6)
Describing a Distribution of Scores	325	(1)
Measures of Central Tendency	325	(1)
Measures of Variability	326	(1)
Shapes of Distributions	327	(1)
Standard Scores	328	(1)
Properties of Standard Scores	328	(2)
Correlation---A Measure of Relationship	330	(6)
Uses of Correlation	333	(1)
Different Correlation Coefficients	334	(2)
Data Analysis by Computer	336	(4)
Summary	340	(1)
Key Concepts	341	(1)
Exercises	341	(2)
Note	343	(1)
Data Analysis: Inferential Statistics	344	(35)
Context for Using Inferential Statistics	344	(1)
Testing Hypotheses and Estimating Parameters	345	(7)
Concept of Sampling Distribution	346	(4)
Building a Confidence Interval---The Example Continued	350	(1)
Possible Errors in Hypothesis Testing	351	(1)
Inferences from Statistics to Parameters: A Review	352	(2)
Parametric Analyses	354	(8)
The t-Distribution---Another Sampling Distribution	354	(2)
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)	356	(6)
Nonparametric Analyses	362	(3)
The Chi-Square (χ2) Test and Distribution	362	(3)
Correlational Analyses	365	(3)
Analysis of Covariance	367	(1)
Selecting an Appropriate Statistical Analysis	368	(2)
Comments About Statistical Analysis	370	(1)
Meta-Analysis	371	(3)
Summary	374	(1)
Key Concepts	375	(1)
Exercises	375	(3)
Notes	378	(1)
References	378	(1)
Communicating About Research	379	(28)
Major Sections of the Research Proposal	379	(10)
Identification of the Problem	380	(2)
Review of the Literature	382	(3)
Methods or Procedures	385	(2)
Significance of the Proposed Research	387	(1)
Other Sections of the Research Proposal	388	(1)
Cover Page	388	(1)
Abstract	388	(1)
Budget	388	(1)
Staff Resumes	389	(1)
Appendices	389	(1)
Major Sections of the Research Report	389	(7)
Introduction, Including the Statement of the Problem	390	(1)
Review of the Literature	391	(1)
Methods or Procedures	391	(1)
Results	392	(1)
Use of Tables	393	(2)
Conclusions, Recommendations, and Implications	395	(1)
Other Sections of the Research Report	396	(2)
Abstract	396	(1)
Bibliography and Reference List	397	(1)
Appendix	397	(1)
Putting a Report Together	398	(2)
Software for Word Processing	399	(1)
Guidelines for Presenting Papers at Meetings	400	(2)
Presentations to Dissertation and Thesis Committees	402	(1)
Summary	403	(1)
Key Concepts	404	(1)
Exercises	404	(1)
Note	405	(1)
References	405	(2)
Evaluating Research Reports	407	(9)
Types of Errors and Shortcomings in Reports	407	(1)
Critiquing Major Sections of a Research Report	408	(4)
Introduction	408	(1)
Review of the Literature	409	(1)
Methods or Procedures	409	(1)
Results	410	(1)
Conclusions, Recommendations, and Implications	411	(1)
Overall Impressions When Evaluating a Report	412	(1)
The Evaluation of Proposals	413	(1)
Significance of the Proposed Research	413	(1)
Quality of the Proposed Research	413	(1)
Summary	414	(1)
Key Concepts	415	(1)
Exercises	415	(1)
References	415	(1)
Appendix 1 Conducting a CD-ROM Search Using SilverPlatter	416	(2)
Appendix 2 Ethical and Legal Considerations in Conducting Research	418	(5)
Appendix 3 Solutions to Exercises	423	(20)
Appendix 4 Tables	443	(12)
Table A. Ordinates and Areas of the Normal Curve	444	(2)
Table B. Critical Values of t	446	(1)
Table C. Upper Percentage Points of the X2 Distribution	447	(1)
Table D. Upper Percentage Points of the F-Distribution	448	(6)
Table E. Critical Values of the Correlation Coefficient	454	(1)
Glossary of Research Methods Terms	455	(8)
Name Index	463	(2)
Subject Index	465	(10)
Disk Instructions	475