Educational Research: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Approaches Book

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
KeyTerms
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