Research in Education
Description
This text provides comprehensive coverage of research methods and statistics in a readable and student-friendly format.
A wide variety of methodologies-including descriptive, experimental and quasi-experimental research, historical studies, qualitative methods, and single subject designs-are covered. A complete range of research tools as well as descriptive and inferential statistics are also included, making this text the definitive resource for introductory research courses.
Research in Education is divided into three parts: Part I, "Introduction to Educational Research," focuses on the purpose of research, hypotheses, ethics in research, developing a research problem, and writing proposals and reports; Part II, "Research Methods," is unique in that it integrates chapters on qualitative research methods, historical research, and single-subject methods with the more typical chapters on experimental methods; and Part III, "Data Analysis," includes both descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as examples of analyses using a computer.
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Content
Each chapter concludes with "Summary," "Exercises" and "References."
Preface
I. INTRODUCTION TO EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH: DEFINITIONS, RESEARCH PROBLEMS, PROPOSALS, AND REPORT WRITING.
1. The Meaning of Research.
Why Should I Study Research?
The Search for Knowledge
Science
The Role of Theory
Operational Definitions of Variables
The Hypothesis
The Research Hypothesis
The Null Hypothesis (Ho)
Populations Sampling
Randomness
The Simple Random Sample
Random Numbers
The Systematic Sample
The Stratified Random Sample
The Area or Cluster Sample
Nonprobability Samples
Sample Size
Purposes of Research
Fundamental or Basic Research
Applied Research
Action Research
Assessment, Evaluation, and Descriptive Research
Types of Educational Research
2. Selecting a Problem and Preparing a Research Proposal.
The Academic Research Problem
Levels of Research Projects
Sources of Problems
Evaluating the Problem
Using the Library
Finding Related Literature
References and Bibliography
Fair Use of Copyrighted Materials
The Research Proposal
The First Research Project
Submitting a Research Proposal to a Funding Agency
Thesis Proposal
Ethics in Human Experimentation
History of Research Ethics
Regulations
From Regulations to Practice.
3. The Research Report.
Style Manuals
Format of the Research Report
Main Body of the Report
References and Appendices
The Thesis or Dissertation
Style of Writing
Reference Form
Pagination
Tables
Figures
The Line Graph
The Bar Graph or Chart
The Circle, Pie, or Sector Chart
Maps
Organization Charts
Evaluating a Research Report
II. RESEARCH METHODS.
4. Historical Research.
Purpose of Histroical Reseach on American Education
History and Science
Historical Generalization
The Historical Hypothesis
Hypotheses in Educational Historical Research
Difficulties Encountered in Historical Research
Sources of Data
Primary Sources of Data
Primary Sources of Educational Data
Secondary Sources of Data
Historical Criticism
External Criticism
Internal Criticism
Examples of Topics for Educational Historical Study
Writing the Historical Report
5. Descriptive Studies: Assessment, Evaluation, and Research.
Assessment Studies
The Survey
Social Surveys
Public Opinion Surveys
National Center for Education Statistics
International Assessment
Activity Analysis
Trend Studies
Evaluation Studies
School Surveys
Program Evaluation
Assessment and Evaluation in Problem Solving
Descriptive Research
Causal Comparative Research
Correlational Research
Follow-up Research
Other Descriptive Research
Replication and Secondary Analysis
The Post Hoc Fallacy
6. Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research.
Early Experimentation
Experimental and Control Groups
Variables
Independent and Dependent Variables
Confounding Variables
Controlling Extraneous Variables
Experimental Validity
Threats to Internal Experimental Validity
Threats to External Experimental Validity
Experimental Design
Pre-experimental Designs
True Experimental Designs
Quasi-Experimental Designs
Factorial Designs
7. Single-Subject Exp