Research Methods in Education

First Edition

Joseph Check - University of Massachusetts Boston, USA
Russell K. Schutt - University of Massachusetts Boston, USA

Courses:
Introduction to Research Methods | Research Methods in Education

October 2011 | 440 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Research Methods in Education introduces research methods as an integrated set of techniques for investigating questions about the educational world. This lively, innovative text helps students connect technique and substance, appreciate the value of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and make ethical research decisions. It weaves actual research "stories" into the presentation of research topics, and it emphasizes validity, authenticity, and practical significance as overarching research goals.

The text is divided into three sections: Foundations of Research (five chapters), Research Design and Data Collection (seven chapters), and Analyzing and Reporting Data (three chapters). This tripartite conceptual framework honors traditional quantitative approaches while reflecting the growing popularity of qualitative studies, mixed method designs, and school-based techniques. This approach provides a comprehensive, conceptually unified, and well-written introduction to the exciting but complex field of educational research.

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ISBN: 9781412940092	Paperback	Suggested Retail Price: $197.00	Bookstore Price: $157.60
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Preface

Part I. Foundations of Research

1. Science, Schooling, and Educational Research

Learning About the Educational World

The Educational Research Approach

Educational Research Philosophies

Conclusions

2. The Process and Problems of Educational Research

Educational Research Questions

Educational Research Basics

The Role of Educational Theory

Educational Research Goals

Educational Research Proposals, Part I

Conclusions

3. Ethics in Research

Historical Background

Ethical Principles

Conclusions

4. Conceptualization and Measurement

Concepts

Measurement Operations

Levels of Measurement

Evaluating Measures

Conclusions

5. Sampling

Sample Planning

Sampling Methods

Sampling Distributions

Conclusions

Part II. Research Design and Data Collection

6. Causation and Research Design

Causal Explanation

Criteria for Causal Explanations

Types of Research Designs

True Experimental Designs

Quasi-Experimental Designs

Threats to Validity in Experimental Designs

Nonexperiments

Conclusions

7. Evaluation Research

What Is Evaluation Research?

What Can an Evaluation Study Focus On?

How Can the Program Be Described? Creating a Program Logic Model

What Are the Alternatives in Evaluation Design?

Ethical Issues in Evaluation Research

Conclusions

8. Survey Research

Why Is Survey Research So Popular?

Errors in Survey Research

Questionnaire Design

Writing Questions

Survey Design Alternatives

Combining Methods

Survey Research Design in a Diverse Society

Ethical Issues in Survey Research

Conclusions

9. Qualitative Methods: Observing, Participating, Listening

Fundamentals of Qualitative Research

Participant Observation

Intensive Interviewing

Focus Groups

Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

Ethical Issues in Qualitative Research

Conclusions

10. Single-Subject Design

Foundations of Single-Subject Design

Measuring Targets of Intervention

Types of Single-Subject Designs

Analyzing Single-Subject Designs

Ethical Issues in Single-Subject Design

Conclusions

11. Mixing and Comparing Methods and Studies

Mixed Methods

Comparing Reserch Designs

Performing Meta-Analyses

Conclusions

12. Teacher Research and Action Research

Teacher Research: Three Case Studies

Teacher Research: A Self-Planning Outline for Creating Your Own Project

Action Research and How It Differs From Teacher Research

Validity and Ethical Issues in Teacher Research and Action Research

Conclusions

Part III. Analyzing and Reporting Data

13. Quantitative Data Analysis

Why We Need Statistics

Preparing Data for Analysis

Displaying Univariate Distributions

Summarizing Univariate Distributions

Relationships (Associations) Among Variables

Presenting Data Ethically: How Not to Lie With Statistics

Conclusions

14. Qualitative Data Analysis

Features of Qualitative Data Analysis

Techniques of Qualitative Data Analysis

Alternatives in Qualitative Data Analysis

Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis

Ethics in Qualitative Data Analysis

Conclusions

15. Proposing and Reporting Research

Educational Research Proposals, Part II

Reporting Research

Ethics, Politics, and Research Reports

Conclusions

Appendix A: Questions to Ask About a Research Article

Appendix B: How to Read a Research Article

Appendix C: Finding Information, by Elizabeth Schneider and Russell K. Schutt

Appendix D: Table of Random Numbers

Glossary

References

Author Index

Subject Index

About the Authors

A good supplimentary textbook

Mrs Annabel Yale

Social and Psychological Science, Edge Hill University

February 3, 2020

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Brilliant well-written book. Easy to read students enjoyed this book and supported their learning.

Miss Natasha Hassan

Dept of Education, Bolton University

January 14, 2018

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Loved the examples and the additional resources.

Dr Meca Williams-Johnson

Curric Foundations Read Dept, Georgia Southern University

January 14, 2016

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This book provides a comprehensive guide for students undertaking reseach within education with text and structure that is both easy to follow and understand
I would definitely recommend this text to students undertaking reseach.

Mrs Jacqui Creed

Dept of Allied Health (Peterborough), Anglia Ruskin University

June 2, 2014

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A good resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Dr Spyros Themelis

Sch of Education & Lifelong Learning, University of East Anglia

February 5, 2014

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More for an undergrad audience not post grad, But very good to refresh existing knowledge and keeping up to date

Dr Linda Barlow-Meade

Faculty of Health, Social Work & Educ, Northumbria University

August 15, 2013

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It seemed straightforward and was priced well for students

Dr Kathy Hayes

Applied Adv Stds Education Div, California State University - Los Angeles

May 30, 2013

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A very well written book that should be of interest to learners. I have highly recommended it to students but given the current economic climate, cannot insist on an essential status

Dr Gordon Ade-ojo

Lifelong learning teacher education, Greenwich University

February 13, 2013

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This book is very comprehensive. All chapters are enough detailed for students. Especially, the appendicies are very usefull for teachers and students.
For example, App. A (Questions to ask about reseacrh article) and App. B (How to read a research article) have critical importance for all researchers, master and doctoral students.
And also, In my opinion, Using the web site of the book (Instructor Teaching Site) can support students' effective learning, increase the course quality and make to easy the course management.
I will recommend Research Method in Education as supplemental book in my course at this term

Mr Murat BAGLIBEL

Educational Admin , Gaziantep University

January 22, 2013

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A good book for those in the early stages of research methods for education. Clearly written with simplicity in mind which takes you nicely through the different stages of research.

Mrs Anita McGowan

Humanities , Croydon College

December 18, 2012

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Key features

Key Features

Case-Study Approach: Each chapter introduces a substantive research question and then shows how the particular research methods presented in that chapter have been used to develop answers to that question—connecting the practical issues of educational research to the methods used to develop substantive knowledge.
Research Questions: Emphasis on research questions throughout the text helps students to understand what they are, why they are important, and how they work.
Themes: Each chapter has an interesting, overarching thematic issue or topic- illustrated by real data- that teaches students the concepts and methods in an applied fashion.
Readability: The language used is straightforward and accessible, with many illustrations and examples in every chapter.
Ethics: A full chapter on ethics (Chapter 3) is included and complemented in the chapters that follow by end-of-chapter exercises applying ethics to the topic at hand.
Ancillaries: The book is supported by a student study site featuring journal articles, web quizzes, video clips, and grade-level specific interactive exercises using real research examples. Also available is a password-protected instructor resources site featuring test banks, PowerPoint slides, lecture outlines, and more.