Methods in Educational Research

Methods in Educational Research Methods in Educational Research is designed to prepare students for the real world of educational research. It focuses on scientifically-based methods, school accountability, and the professional demands of the twenty-first century, empowering researchers to take an active role in conducting research in their classrooms, districts, and the greater educational community. Like the first edition, this edition helps students, educators, and researchers develop a broad and deep understanding of research methodologies. It includes substantial new content on the impact of No Child Left Behind legislation, school reform, quantitative and qualitative methodologies, logic modeling, action research, and other areas. Special features to assist the teaching and learning processes include vignettes illustrating research tied to practice, suggested readings at the end of each chapter, and discussion questions to reinforce chapter content. Praise for the Previous Edition "e;A new attempt to make this subject more relevant and appealing to students. Most striking is how useful this book is because it is really grounded in educational research. It is very well written and quite relevant for educational researchers or for the student hoping to become one."e; -PsycCRITIQUES/American Psychological Association "e;I applaud the authors for their attempt to cover a wide range of material. The straightforward language of the book helps make the material understandable for readers."e; -Journal of MultiDisciplinary Evaluation

Methods in Educational ResearchMethods in Educational Research is designed to prepare studentsfor the real world of educational research. It focuses onscientifically-based methods, school accountability, and theprofessional demands of the twenty-first century, empoweringresearchers to take an active role in conducting research in theirclassrooms, districts, and the greater educational community. Likethe first edition, this edition helps students, educators, andresearchers develop a broad and deep understanding of researchmethodologies. It includes substantial new content on the impact ofNo Child Left Behind legislation, school reform, quantitative andqualitative methodologies, logic modeling, action research, andother areas. Special features to assist the teaching and learningprocesses include vignettes illustrating research tied to practicesuggested readings at the end of each chapter, and discussionquestions to reinforce chapter content.Praise for the Previous Edition"A new attempt to make this subject more relevant and appealingto students. Most striking is how useful this book is because it isreally grounded in educational research. It is very well writtenand quite relevant for educational researchers or for the studenthoping to become one." -PsycCRITIQUES/American PsychologicalAssociation"I applaud the authors for their attempt to cover a wide rangeof material. The straightforward language of the book helps makethe material understandable for readers." -Journal ofMultiDisciplinary Evaluation

Boxes, Exhibits, Figures, and Tables ixPreface xixAcknowledgments xxiiiThe Authors xxv1 Introduction to Educational Research 1Chapter Objectives 1Educational Accountability and Educational Research 2Conducting Educational Research 10Philosophical Frameworks for Educational Research 13Research Ethics 172 Types of Educational Research Designs and Related Major Concepts 25Chapter Objectives 25Types of Approaches Used in Educational Research 263 Descriptive Statistics 47Chapter Objectives 47Characteristics of Data 48Summarizing Data Using Descriptive Statistics 504 Educational Measurement: Archival Data and Standardized Instruments 81Chapter Objectives 81Measurement in Education 82Evaluating the Quality of Standardized Instruments: Reliability and Validity 95Issues in Finding and Using Standardized Instruments 1045 Qualitative Measures and Procedures 115Chapter Objectives 115Characteristics of Qualitative Measurement 116Sampling in Qualitative Research 1386 Qualitative Research 145Chapter Objectives 145Research Vignette 146Understanding Qualitative Research 146Steps in Designing Qualitative Research 165Evaluating Narrative Inquiry and Phenomenological Research 1717 Organization and Analysis of Qualitative Data 185Chapter Objectives 185Analysis of Qualitative Data 186Steps in Analyzing Qualitative Data 1868 Descriptive Survey Research: Quantitative Research 205Chapter Objectives 205Research Vignette 206Characteristics of Descriptive Survey Research 206Steps in Conducting Descriptive Survey Research 209Evaluating Descriptive Survey Research 2319 Experimental Research 237Chapter Objectives 237Research Vignette 238Understanding Experimental Research 238Steps in Planning and Conducting Experimental Research 240Threats to Experimental Validity 252Single-Subject Research Designs 26410 Nonexperimental Approaches: Causal-Comparative and Correlational Research 277Chapter Objectives 277Research Vignette 278Causal-Comparative Research 278Correlational Research 284Multiple Regression Studies 30111 Inferential Statistics 307Chapter Objectives 307Beyond Descriptive Statistics: Inferential Statistics 308Steps in Analyzing Data Using Inferential Tests 317Designs with More than One Independent or Dependent Variable 32012 Action Research 325Chapter Objectives 325Research Vignette 326Understanding Action Research 327Steps in Conducting Action Research 336Data Sources for Action Research 345Evaluation of Action Research 36213 Program Evaluation in Education 377Chapter Objectives 377Research Vignette 378What Is Program Evaluation? 379Types, Approaches, and Models of Program Evaluation 387Steps in Designing Program Evaluation 391Program Evaluation Data and Critiquing Evaluation Reports 392Training and Careers in Program Evaluation 39414 Identifying and Researching a Topic 399Chapter Objectives 399Getting Started 400Identify a Research Topic 400Refine Your Topic as You Search 403Search the Literature 406Identify and Summarize Key Information from Articles 421When Do I Have Enough? 42215 The Research Proposal 427Chapter Objectives 427Preparing a Research Proposal 428References 445Appendix A 453Appendix B 487Index 517