Educational Research is highly readable text that provides students with a clear and in-depth understanding of the different kinds of research--including technology-based--that are used in education today. The text introduces students to the fundamental logic of empirical research and explores the sources of research ideas. Detailed descriptions guide students through the design and implementation of actual research studies with a balanced examination of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research, serving as one of the book's strongest features. While quantitative research strategies are covered extensively, the text also discusses various qualitative approaches such as ethnography, historical methods, phenomenology, grounded theory, and case studies. The authors present detailed, step-by-step coverage of the key elements of research, including sampling techniques, ethical considerations, data collection methods, measurement, judging validity, experimental and non-experimental methods, descriptive and inferential statistics, qualitative data analysis, and report preparation.

Table of Contents

Preface PART I. INTRODUCTION 1. Introduction to Educational Research Why Study Educational Research? Areas of Educational Research Examples of Educational Research General Kinds of Research Sources of Knowledge The Scientific Approach to Knowledge Generation Objectives of Educational Research Overview of Book Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading 2. Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Research Characteristics of the Three Research Paradigms Quantitative Research Methods. Experimental and Nonexperimental Research Qualitative Research Methods Mixed Research Methods Our Research Typology Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading PART II. PLANNING THE RESEARCH STUDY 3. Reviewing the Literature and Developing Research Questions Sources of Research Ideas Ideas That Can't Be Resolved Through Empirical Research Review of the Literature Conducting the Literature Search Feasibility of the Study Statement of the Research Problem Statement of the Purpose of the Study Statement of Research Questions Formulating Hypotheses Consumer Use of the Literature Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading 4. How to Write a Research Proposal Framework of the Research Proposal Strategies for Writing Each Section of the Research Proposal Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading 5. Research Ethics What Are Research Ethics? Ethical Concerns Ethical Guidelines for Research with Humans Institutional Review Board Ethical Issues in Electronic Research Ethical Issues in Preparing the Research Report Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading PART III. FOUNDATIONS OF RESEARCH 6. Standardized Measurement and Assessment Defining Measurement Scales of Measurement Assumptions Underlying Testing and Assessment Identifying a Good Test or Assessment Procedure Educational and Psychological Tests Sources of Information about Tests Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Endnotes 7. How to Construct a Questionnaire What is a Questionnaire? Principles of Questionnaire Construction Putting it All Together Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading 8. Methods of Data Collection Tests Questionnaires Interviews Focus Groups Observation Secondary Data (Existing Data) Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading 9. Sampling in Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Research Terminology Used in Sampling Random Sampling Techniques Nonrandom Sampling Techniques Random Selection and Random Assignment Determining the Sample Size When Random Sampling Is Used Sampling in Qualitative Research Sampling in Mixed Research Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Endnotes 10. Validity of Research Results in Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Research Validity Issues in the Design of Quantitative Research Statistical Conclusion Validity Internal Validity External Validity Construct Validity Research Validity (or "trustworthiness") in Qualitative Research Research Validity (or "Legitimation") in Mixed Research Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Endnotes PART IV. SELECTING A RESEARCH METHOD 11. Experimental Research The Experiment Experimental Research Settings Independent Variable Manipulation Control of Confounding Variables Experimental Research Designs Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Endnote 12. Quasi-Experimental and Single-Case Designs Quasi-Experimental Research Designs Single-Case Experimental Designs Methodological Considerations in Using Single-Case Designs Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading 13. Nonexperimental Quantitative Research Steps in Nonexperimental Research Independent Variables in Nonexperimental Research Simple Cases of Causal-Comparative and Correlational Research Three Necessary Conditions for Cause-and-Effect Relationships Applying the Three Necessary Conditions for Causation in Nonexperimental Research Techniques of Control in Nonexperimental Research (i.e., How to Design Strong Nonexperimental Research) Interlude (The Study of Causal Relationships in Epidemiology) Time Dimension in Research Classifying Nonexperimental Research Methods by Research Objective Classifying Nonexperirnental Research by Time and Research Objective Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Endnotes 14. Qualitative Research Phenomenology Ethnography Case Study Research Grounded Theory Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Endnotes 15. Historical Research What Is Historical Research? Significance of Historical Research Historical Research Methodology Identification of the Research Topic and Formulation of the Research Problem or Question Data Collection or Literature Review How to Locate Historical Information Evaluation of Historical Sources Data Synthesis and Report Preparation Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading 16. Mixed Research The Research Continuum Types of Mixed Research Designs Stages of the Mixed Research Process Limitations of Mixed Research Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading PART V. ANALYZING THE DATA 17. Descriptive Statistics Descriptive Statistics Frequency Distributions Graphic Representations of Data Measures of Central Tendency Measures of Variability Measures of Relative Standing Examining Relationships among Variables Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Endnotes 18. Inferential Statistics Sampling Distributions Estimation Hypothesis Testing Hypothesis Testing in Practice Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Endnotes 19. Data Analysis in Qualitative and Mixed Research Interim Analysis Memoing Analysis of Visual Data Data Entry and Storage Segmenting, Coding, and Developing Category Systems Enumeration Creating Hierarchical Category Systems Identifying Relationships Among Categories Corroborating and Validating Results Computer Programs for Qualitative Data Analysis Data Analysis in Mixed Research Summary Key Terms Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Endnote PART V1. WRITING THE RESEARCH REPORT 20. Preparation of the Research Report General Principles Related to Writing the Research Report Writing Quantitative Research Reports Using the APA Style Writing Qualitative Research Reports Writing Mixed Research Reports Discussion Questions Research Exercises Relevant Internet Sites Recommended Reading Glossary References Index About the Authors