Introduction to Educational Research

✍ Scribed by Craig A. Mertler

• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc
• Year: 2021
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 425
• Edition: 3
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This Third Edition of Craig Mertler’s practical text helps readers every step of the way as they plan and execute their first educational research project. Offering balanced coverage of qualitative and quantitative methods, an emphasis on ethics, and a wealth of new examples and concrete applications, the new edition continues to use conversational, nontechnical language to help students clearly understand and apply research concepts, principles, procedures, and terminology. Expanded coverage of foundations of research, an increased focus on integrating qualitative and quantitative research, and updated coverage of research questions and the tools of qualitative research bring the book thoroughly up-to-date, while streamlined coverage of statistics shows students how to do quantitative analysis in a straightforward way.

✦ Table of Contents

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Part I. Initial Research Considerations
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1. What Is Educational Research?
Finding Answers to Questions
The Scientific Method
Educational Research—What It Is and What It Is Not
Educational Research as a Process
Knowing Your Specific Discipline
Educators as Researchers
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2. Overview of the Educational Research Process
Identifying and Limiting a Research Topic or Problem
Formally Stating and Refining Research Question(s)
Reviewing Existing Literature Related to the Problem
Writing a Literature Review
Developing a Research Plan
Implementing the Research Plan and Collecting Data
Analyzing the Data
Stating Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations in a Written Research Report
The Educational Research Process—A Brief Example
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3. Identifying a Research Problem
Identifying a Research Topic or Problem
Preliminary Considerations in Selecting Topics
Limiting a Topic
Sample Educational Research Topics
Necessary Terminology Related to Research
Research Questions and Hypotheses
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4. Ethics in Educational Research
Ethical Considerations in the Conduct of Research
Ethics in Qualitative Versus Quantitative Studies
Institutional Review Boards
Formal Preparation for Research With Human Participants
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5. Reviewing Related Research Literature
What Is a Literature Review?
Sources for Literature Related to Your Research Topic
Searching the ERIC Online Database
Searching the Google Scholar Online Database
Writing Your Literature Review
Not Just for Conducting Research—Valuable Sources for Professional Development
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Part II. Designing a Research Study
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6. Qualitative Research Methods
Characteristics of Qualitative Research
The Qualitative Research Process
Approaches to Conducting Qualitative Research
Ethnographic Research
Narrative Research
Historical Research
Grounded Theory Research
Phenomenological Research
Case Study Research
More About Ethnographic Research
Topics and Procedures in Ethnographic Research
Strengths and Concerns in Ethnographic Research
More About Narrative Research
Procedures in Narrative Research
Strengths and Concerns in Narrative Research
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7. Quantitative Research Methods
Characteristics of Quantitative Research
The Quantitative Research Process
Nonexperimental Research Designs
Descriptive Research
Observational Research
Survey Research
Types of Surveys
The Survey Research Process
Strengths and Limitations in Survey Research
Correlational Research
The Correlational Research Process
Strengths and Limitations in Correlational Research
Causal-Comparative Research
The Causal-Comparative Research Process
Strengths and Limitations of Causal-Comparative Research
Experimental Research Designs
Preexperimental Research
Strengths and Limitations of Preexperimental Research
Quasi-Experimental Research
Strengths and Limitations of Quasi-Experimental Research
Experimental Research
The Experimental Research Process
Strengths and Limitations of Experimental Research
Single-Subject Research
Strengths and Limitations of Single-Subject Research
Threats to Validity in Quantitative Designs
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8. Mixed-Methods Research
Characteristics of Mixed-Methods Research
The Mixed-Methods Research Process
Approaches to Conducting Mixed-Methods Research
Mixed-Methods Research Designs
Validity in Mixed-Methods Research
Strengths and Limitations of Mixed-Methods Research
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9. Action Research
Characteristics of Action Research
Approaches to Conducting Action Research
The Action Research Process
Action Planning and Reflection
Validity in Action Research
Strengths and Limitations of Action Research
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10. Writing a Research Proposal
Purpose of a Research Proposal
General Aspects of a Research Proposal
Components of a Quantitative Research Proposal
Components of a Qualitative Research Proposal
Proposals for Action Research and Mixed-Methods Studies
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Part III. Collecting and Analyzing Data
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11. Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis
Sampling Techniques in Qualitative Research
Qualitative Data Collection Techniques
Observations
Interviews
Journals
Existing Documents and Records
Characteristics of Qualitative Data: Accuracy, Credibility, and Dependability
Qualitative Data Analysis Techniques
Inductive Analysis
An Example of Qualitative Analysis
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12. Quantitative Data Collection
Sampling Techniques in Quantitative Research
Probability Sampling Techniques
Nonprobability Sampling Techniques
Sample Sizes in Quantitative Studies
Levels of Measurement
Quantitative Data Collection Techniques
Surveys, Checklists, and Rating Scales
Constructing a Survey or Questionnaire
Types of Survey Questions
Survey Design Considerations
Formative and Summative Classroom Assessments
Standardized Test Scores
Characteristics of Quantitative Data: Validity and Reliability
Validity in Quantitative Research
Determining the Validity of Inferences Drawn From Quantitative Data
Evidence of Validity Based on Test Content
Evidence of Validity Based on Response Processes
Evidence of Validity Based on Internal Structure
Evidence of Validity Based on Relations to Other Variables
Evidence of Validity Based on Consequences of Testing
Reliability in Quantitative Research
Determining the Reliability of Quantitative Data
Relationship Between Validity and Reliability
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13. Quantitative Data Analysis
Quantitative Data Analysis Techniques
Preparing Data for Analysis
Selecting a Statistical Analysis Software Program
Descriptive Statistical Analysis
Frequency Distributions
Measures of Central Tendency
Measures of Dispersion or Variability
Measures of Relationship
Measures of Relative Standing
Visual Depictions of Descriptive Analyses
An Example of Descriptive Analysis
Inferential Statistical Analysis
Tests of Relationships
Tests of Group Differences
Cautions in Using Statistics
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Part IV. The Research Report
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14. Writing a Final Research Report
Importance of the Audience
General Guidelines for Writing a Research Report
Style Guides
Conventions of Academic-Style Writing per APA Style
Bias-free Writing
Plagiarism and Self-Plagiarism
Titles of Reports
Person and Voice
Tense
Anonymity and Confidentiality
Tentative Versus Definitive Statements
Clarity and Consistency
Simplicity of Language
Conventions of Format
Findings or Results
Presentation of Qualitative Results
Practical Guidelines for Writing
An Example of a Research Report
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Appendix A. Should I Stay or Should I Go? Understanding Teacher Motivation, Job Satisfaction, and Perceptions of Retention ...
Abstract
1 Background
1.1 Job Satisfaction and Motivation among Teachers
1.2 Context of Teaching in Arizona
2 Purpose of the Study
3 Method
3.1 Participants
3.2 Instrumentation
3.3 Procedures
4 Results
4.1 Results for Research Question #1
4.2 Results for Research Question #2
4.3 Results for Research Question #3
4.4 Results for Research Question #4
5 Discussion
References
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Appendix B. Undocumented and College-Bound: A Case Study of the Supports and Barriers High School Students Encounter in Acc ...
Abstract
Literature Review
Federal-Level Policy and Programs
State-Level Policies
Undocumented Students’ Access to Higher Education
Conceptual Framework: College Choice
Methodology and Context
Policy Context: Undocumented Immigrants in California
School Context
Data Collection and Participant Selection
Data Analysis
Findings
Building College Knowledge: From General to Targeted Information
Navigational Support: Completing College and Financial Aid Applications
Unmet Dreams: The Limitations of the California Dream Act
DACA and College Access: Applying With School Support, Restrictions, and Confusion
Discussion
Limitations
Implications
School- and District-Level Support: Creating an Undocumented Student Friendly College-Going Culture
Public Policy
Conclusion
References
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Appendix C. The Impact of Book Reading in the Early Years on Parent–Child Language Interaction
Abstract
Language interaction in the early years
Parents reading to young children
Maternal education and child gender effects
Summary
Method
Participants
Measures
Procedure
Statistical analysis
Results
Distribution of reading sessions
Reading period length and language measures
Language measures overall
Language measures by maternal education level
Effect of child gender
Inter-relationship with age
Inter-relationship of language measures
Discussion
Interpretation and future research
Contribution to the literature
Limitations
Conclusion
References
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Glossary
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References
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