Intended for writing instructors at all levels who lack the training to deal effectively with the increasingly important role played by empirical research in their field, Composition Research explains ten of the most common empirical designs used in the social sciences. These include: case study, ethnography, sampling/survey, quantitative descriptive research, prediction and classification studies, true and quasi-experiments, meta-analysis, and program evaluation. Each design is explained with reference to at least two specific composition studies, and includes a separate bibliography that identifies further writing studies that use it. The book also features a chapter on measurement, an appendix on statistical analyses, a glossary of technical terms and symbols, and guidelines for research on human subjects.
Industry Reviews
"Systematic presentation of empirical research methods suitable for a survey course."--Patricia Goubil-Gambrell, Iowa State University
"Should be required reading in every graduate program in rhetoric and composition."--Rhetoric
"Clear and informative--ideal for a graduate level research course. I especially like the close analysis of 2-3 published studies in each chapter."--Ben Rafoth, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
"Discussion of empirical designs is a useful introduction for both researchers using other methodologies and those who will use empirical approaches."--Shirley K. Rose, San Diego State University
"Lauer and Asher succeed admirably in presenting a technical subject in straightforward, understandable language....A substantial achievement....The format and bibliographies of Composition Research/Empirical Designs make it useful for general reference and an excellent choice as a text for graduate courses in rhetoric and composition....Assists all who are seeking to demonstrate the relationship between rhetorical inquiry and empirical
research."--College Composition and Communication
"Every writing instructor needs to know what's in Composition Research. As a common source, [it] helps us agree on concepts and terms"--Lyn Paul Relph, California State University, Chico
"Clear, thorough, and well written, this book is a must for anyone who reads research in composition and takes it seriously....Should be required reading for all people who engage in composition research as well."--Janet Marting, University of Akron