Research Methods in Education An Introduction

by Wiersma, William; Jurs, Stephen G.

• ISBN13: 9780205581924
• ISBN10: 0205581927
• Edition: 9th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-02-28
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

A classic in its field, Research Methods in Educationexplains the research process with emphasis on the formulation of a research question, referencing current literature in the field, using appropriate research designs, and writing and evaluating research reports. Both quantitative and qualitative research designs are described. Measurement, sampling, and statistics are presented as essential research tools. #xA0; Retaining the clear, concise writing style and organization that has made this text so popular, Research Methods in Educationhelps students evaluate research literature as well as master research methodology. It emphasizes the rationale for commonly used research procedures and their applications. The authors outline the nature of educational research and clearly define the steps in the research process. #xA0; The text is broad in scope#x13; covering both quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research methodologiesas well as describing how to write research proposals and reports of completed research. Research Methods in Educationgives students a solid understanding of all the elements of research.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

Educational Research: Its Nature and Characteristics Introduction

The Nature of Educational Research

The Systematic Process of Research

The Validity of Educational Research Internal Validity External Validity

The Reliability of Educational Research Research Has a Variety of Forms

Classification of Educational Research Basic and Applied Research

Qualitative and Quantitative Research General Methods of Research

Experimental Research Quasi-Experimental Research Nonexperimental

Quantitative Research Historical Research Ethnographic Research

The Role of Theory

The Activities of the Research Process Identification of the Research Problem Data Collection Analysis

Summarizing Results and Drawing Conclusions Summary

The Function of Educational Research Key Concepts

Exercises

Notes

References

Identification of a Research Problem Selection of a Research Problem Statement of the Research Problem Constants

Variables, and Operational Definition Independent and Dependent Variables

Other Possible Types of Variables

Variables as They are Measured Operational Definition Hypotheses and the Statement of the Problem Types and Forms of Hypotheses

Examples of Hypotheses Related to Problem Statements Examples

From the Research Literature Summary Key Concepts

Exercises

Notes

References

The Review of the Literature

The Activities of the Review of the Literature Sources of Information

The Library Periodical Literature Education Index Educational Resources

Information Center (ERIC)

An Example Using CIJE and RIE Other Indexes and Abstracts

Review of Educational Research (RER) Reports of Meta-Analysis

Abstracts and Reports in Periodicals Theses and Dissertations

Books Computer Searches of Databases Conducting a Search Searching a Database for a Specific Research Problem - One

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