Research Methods for Education

Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors Chapter 1: Introduction to Scientific Thinking and the Science of Education Introduction The Scientific Method and Its Relevance in Educational Research Approaches in Acquiring Knowledge Generating and Converting Ideas to Hypotheses and Theories Performing a Literature Review Testing Your Idea: Confirmation and Disconfirmation Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Classroom Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Question Answer Key Chapter 2: Research Ethics Introduction Ethics in Educational Research The Need for Ethics Committees in Research: A Historical Synopsis Ethics in Focus: Classic Examples from Psychology Human Participant Research: IRBs and the AERA Code of Ethics Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Class Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Questions Answer Key Chapter 3: Scientific Variables, Measurement, and Instrumentation Introduction Defining Variables, Constructs, and Operational Definitions Types of Variables Scales of Measurement Classifying Data Collection Instruments Tests and Measures Questionnaire Items and Administration Concepts in Validity and Reliability of Measurement Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Class Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Questions Answer Key Chapter 4: Sampling From Populations Introduction Why Do Researchers Select Samples? Subjects, Participants, and Sampling Methods Methods of Sampling: Nonprobability Sampling Methods of Sampling: Probability Sampling Sampling Error and Standard Error of the Mean Potential Biases in Sampling Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Class Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Questions Answer Key Chapter 5: Choosing a Research Design Introduction Designing a Study to Answer a Question Categories of Research Design Internal and External Validity Demonstrating Cause in an Experiment Threats to the Internal Validity of a Research Study Threats to the External Validity of a Research Study External Validity, Experimentation, and Realism Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Class Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Questions Answer Key Chapter 6: Naturalistic and Existing Data Research Designs Introduction An Overview of Naturalistic Design The Research Setting: Natural and Contrived Settings Techniques for Making Unobtrusive Observations Operationalizing Observations Quantifying Observations An Overview of Existing Data Designs Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Class Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Questions Answer Key Chapter 7 : Survey and Correlational Research Designs Introduction An Overview of Survey Designs Surveys, Sampling, and Nonresponse Bias Steps in Administering a Survey The Structure of Correlational Designs Describing the Relationship Between Variables Limitations in Interpretation Correlation, Regression, and Prediction Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Class Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Questions Answer Key Chapter 8: Introduction to Qualitative Research Introduction What Is Qualitative Research? Distinctions Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research Three Theoretical Perspectives in Qualitative Research Steps in Qualitative Research Role of the Researcher and Entry Into the Field Sampling in Qualitative Research Types of Qualitative Data Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Classroom Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Questions Answer Key Chapter 9: Phenomenology, Ethnography, and Grounded Theory Designs Introduction An Overview of Phenomenology Designs An Overview of Ethnography Designs An Overview of Netnography and Autoethnography Designs An Overview of Grounded Theory Designs Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Classroom Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Questions Answer Key Chapter 10: Narrative Inquiry, Case Study, and Critical Theory Designs Introduction Narrative Research Designs Case Study Designs Critical Theory Designs Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Class Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Question Answer Key Chapter 11: Quasi-Experimental Designs Introduction Quasi-Experiments and Quasi-Independent Variables One-Group Designs Quasi-Experimental Design: Nonequivalent Control Group Designs Quasi-Experimental Design: Time-Series Designs Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Class Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Questions Answer Key Chapter 12: Single-Case Experimental Designs Introduction Single-Case Designs: Reversal, Multiple-Baseline, Changing Criterion, Alternate Treatment Standards for Single-Case Designs Analysis of Single-Case Designs Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Class Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Questions Answer Key Chapter 13: Group Experimental Designs: Between Subjects, Within Subjects, and Factorial Introduction Conducting Experiments: Between-Subjects Design Creating Groups and Control of the Independent Variable Conducting Experiments: Within-Subjects Design Conducting Experiments: Factorial Experimental Designs Use of Test Statistics for Group Experimental Designs Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Class Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Questions Answer Key Chapter 14: Mixed Methods Research Designs Introduction Applying a Mixed Methods Design Types of Mixed Methods Research Designs Advanced Mixed Methods Designs Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Class Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Questions Answer Key Chapter 15: Action Research Introduction Distinguishing Traditional Research from Action Research Types of Action Research The Process of Conducting Action Research Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Class Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Questions Answer Key Chapter 16: Program Evaluation Introduction The Fundamentals of Program Evaluation Program Evaluation Standards, Uses, and Limitations Classifications of Program Evaluation Models for Program Evaluation Steps in Program Evaluation Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Class Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Questions Answer Key Chapter 17: Analysis and Interpretation: Exposition of Data Introduction Descriptive Statistics: Why Summarize Data? Frequency Distributions: Tables and Graphs Measures of Central Tendency Measures of Variability Graphing Means and Correlations Using Correlation to Describe Reliability Standard Scores, z Scores, Percentile Ranks, and Age/Grade Equivalents Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Class Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Questions Answer Key Chapter 18: Analysis and Interpretation: Making Inferences about Data Introduction Inferential Statistics: What Are We Making Inferences About? Types of Error and Power Parametric Tests: Applying the Decision Tree Main Effects and Interactions Nonparametric Tests: Applying the Decision Tree Effect Size: How Big Is an Effect in the Population? Estimation: What Are the Possible Values of a Parameter? Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Class Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Questions Answer Key Chapter 19: Analysis and Interpretation: Making Inferences About Qualitative Data Introduction Qualitative Versus Quantitative Data Analysis Decisions About How to Record Narrative Data Decisions About Qualitative Data Analysis and Interpretation General Process of Qualitative Data Analysis Interpretations Made Using Different Qualitative Designs in the Data Analysis Process Criteria of Trustworthiness Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Class Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Questions Answer Key Chapter 20: Communicating Research: Preparing Manuscripts, Posters, and Talks Introduction Elements of Communication Writing a Manuscript: Writing Style and Language Elements of an APA-Style Manuscript Literature Reviews Reporting Observations in Qualitative Research Poster Presentations and Professional Talks Chapter Summary Key Terms Review Questions Questions and Activities for Classroom Discussion Learning Check Answer Key Review Questions Answer Key Appendix A: APA-Style Writing, Sample Manuscript, and Posters Appendix B: Instructions for Randomizing and Counterbalancing References Index