Errors in Evidence-Based Decision Making

Reviews / Votes

Important book to read, as Bob Janke and Bruce Cooper warn us, that: "Individuals and groups purposively create misinformation through distortion or manipulation to influence the beliefs and behaviors of others." Truth matters in everyone's life, as this book shows. -- Carlos R. McCray I enjoyed the thorough listing of best practices, common errors, and the like. -- Amanda Berhenke, Ph.D., assistant professor, education and psychology, Albertus Magnus College Yet another great book by Bruce Cooper and his colleague, Robert Janke, one of the most sensible and realistic observers of the American education scene for the past 40+ years. This book is readable and on-target. -- Sheldon Marcus, Ed.D., professor, Division of Educational Leadership, Administration and Policy, Fordham University Graduate School of Education Drs. Janke and Cooper's book is essential reading for students and laypeople alike. The world of big data is giving the impression that all analysis is research and all research is valid and reliable. The book offers an understanding of how to strengthen research and reduce errors. Readers will benefit from a close read, in both wisdom and humility. -- Sheree Speakman, founder, CIE Learning A comedy of errors in education is not funny! Decisions and polices must be based on honest investigation and clear, critical thinking. This book is invaluable in pointing the (best) way to improving our schools for all children. -- Stephan F. Brumberg, Ed.D., professor of education leadership & history, Brooklyn College and CUNY Graduate Center A non-traditional text that engages students with humor and provocative real-world examples of the consequences of research errors in many academic areas. This text shows why it is important to be able to separate accurate from inaccurate research evidence. -- Clayton Dusek, Ph.D., professor, Baldwin Wallace University At a time when "scientifically proven methods" and "data driven instruction" have become catchwords in education, this bookis essential reading for students, teachers and anyone interested understanding research. Written in language that is non-technical and easy to read, Errors in Evidence-Based Decision Making helps users of research to understand and identify bias and misinformation, while also providing an excellent foundation for advanced courses in research. -- Melvin Wermuth, Mercy College, New York An increasingly common bureaucratic imperative in selecting policies is that they be "research based," "proven," and in accord with "best practices." While politics requires that sort of justifying evidence, many political scientists observe that choices are usually made on the basis of unrealistic expectations, uncertain technologies, and unreliable implementation scenarios. This book provides useful ways of better evaluating evidence and thereby moving the exercise beyond justification. -- Robert T. Nakamura, Vincent O'Leary Professor of Political Science, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs, University at Albany, State University of New York