- ISBN: 9780137013449 | 0137013442
- Cover: Paperback
- Copyright: 1/3/2010
This non-technically written, hands-on introductory text is supported by up-to-date technology to augment students’ comprehension and interpretation of both qualitative and quantitative techniques in educational research methods.
Introduction to Educational Research, Sixth Edition, guides learners through eight research methods to help plan and compose their first educational research project. Through chapter contents and in-text exercises, readers simultaneously learn how to prepare a research plan, gather and analyze data, address research questions and hypotheses, and organize a report of their projects.
In keeping with the main purpose of helping students clearly understand and apply research concepts, the language of the text is non-technical and there are many pedagogical features throughout the text.
"This is an excellent textbook that covers information on educational research in a comprehensive style. The textbook's logical format, accuracy, and many clear examples, relevant to educational research, provide students and any reader with samples to more easily familiarize themselves with the tools needed to conduct a research investigation."- Laura J. Shea Doolan, St. Joseph's College
"Mertler provides a very organized, non-technical introductory text to enhance students' comprehension and interpretation of both qualitative and quantitative techniques in educational research."- Li-Ling Chen, California State University at East Bay
Craig A. Mertler is currently a Professor and Director of the Doctoral Program in School Improvement in the College of Education at the University of West Georgia. He teaches doctoral courses focused on the application of action research to promote school improvement and reform, and also teaches quantitative research methods, introductory statistical analysis, multivariate statistical analysis, and educational assessment methods. He is the author of 5 books, 2 invited book chapters, 15 refereed journal articles, 2 instructors’ manuals, and numerous nonrefereed articles and manuscripts. He has also presented numerous research papers at professional meetings around the country, as well as internationally. He conducts workshops for inservice educational professionals on classroom-based action research and on the broad topic of classroom assessment. His primary research interests include classroom-based action research, professional learning communities, and assessment practices of classroom teachers. Before teaching and researching at the university level, he taught high school biology and earth science, and also coached track and volleyball. In his leisure time, he enjoys travelling with his family and playing golf.
Preface
PART ONE: Orientation to Educational Research
CHAPTER 1 Educational Research: Its Nature and Rules of Operation
Preview
Targeted Learnings
Chapter Information Organizers
An example: New Questions about Elmwood’s Schools
Seeking Answers to Questions
The Scientific Method
Research and the Scientific Method
The Meaning of Research
The Process of Educational Research
Research and Educational Research
Rules of Operation in Educational Research
Legal Principles
Ethical Principles
Philosophical Principles
Procedural Principles
Why Study Educational Research?
Educators as Researchers
DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITY Guiding Principles of Research
Chapter Summary
List of Important Terms
Your Current Status
Activities for Thought and Discussion
Answers to Chapter exercises
References and Recommended Readings
CHAPTER 2 Types of Educational Research and Corresponding Sources of Data
Preview
Targeted Learnings
Types of Educational Research
Types of Research Categorized by Usefulness
Types of Research Differentiated by Tradition
Types of Research Based on Practicality
Primary and Secondary Sources of Research Data
Specific Sources of Research Data
Procedures and Tools Used in Collecting Data
Qualities Required in Research Data
Authenticity and Believability of Qualitative Data
Validity and Reliability of Quantitative Data
Treatment and Presentation of Data
Additional Terminology Related to Data
APPLYING TECHNOLOGY More about Variables and Questions
Participants, Samples, and Populations
DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITY Type of Research
Chapter Summary
List of Important Terms
Your Current Status
Activities for Thought and Discussion
Answers to Chapter Exercises
References and Recommended Readings
Part Two: Preliminary Skills Needed for Conducting Research
CHAPTER 3 Selecting, Refining, and Proposing a Topic for Research
Preview
Targeted Learnings
Where to Find Good Research Topics
Topics for Teachers, Counselors, and Other Educators
Topics for Administrators
Topics for Other Educators
Preliminary Considerations in Selecting Topics
APPLYING TECHNOLOGY Sources for Research Topics
Refining the Research Topic
Some Necessary Terminology
Variables and Educational Research
Continuous, Discrete, and Dichotomous Variables
Independent and Dependent Variables
Regulating the Size of Research Topics
Foreseeing the Research Report Format
The Value of Conventional Procedures and Reports
Refining the Topic: An Illustrative Case
Jan’s Concern about Students’ Entry Age to Kindergarten
Preparing a Research Proposal
DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITY Research Topic Refinement
Chapter Summary 60
List of Important Terms 60
Your Current Status 61
Activities for Thought and Discussion 61
Answers to Chapter Exercises 61
References and Recommended Readings 62
CHAPTER 4 Locating Published Research
Preview
Targeted Learnings
Using the Research Library
Secondary Sources in the Library
Locating Secondary Sources
Primary Sources in the Library
Specific Directories of Primary References
Locating Primary Sources
APPLYING TECHNOLOGY Electronic Journals
APPLYING TECHNOLOGY Searching ERIC Online
Not Just for Conducting Research–Valuable Sources for Professional Development
DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITY Locating Published Research
Chapter Summary
List of Important Terms
Your Current Status
Activities for Thought and Discussion
Answers to Chapter exercises
References and Recommended Readings
CHAPTER 5 Interpreting and Summarizing Published Research
Preview
Targeted Learnings
Reading Research Reports
Summarizing the Reports
Interpreting the Statistical Information You Encounter
Status Reports
APPLYING TECHNOLOGY Writing a Review of Literature
Review of Terminology Used in Status Reports
Comparison Reports
Review of Terminology Used in Comparison Reports
Correlational Reports
Review of Terminology Used in Correlational Reports
The Concept of Significance
D EVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITY Reviewing Published Research
Chapter Summary
List of Important Terms
Your Current Status
Activities for Thought and Discussion
Answers to Chapter Exercises
References and Recommended Readings
PART THREE: Conducting Your Own Research Project
CHAPTER 6 Procedures and Tools for Gathering Data
Preview
Targeted Learnings
Types of Research and Their Typical Foci
Types of Data Needed
Sources of Data for Various Types of Research
Samples and Their Selection
Are Samples Necessary in Research?
Can Small Samples Represent Large Populations?
Probability Sampling
Non probability Sampling
APPLYING TECHNOLOGY Probability and Nonprobability Sampling
Samples and Their Selection
Size of Samples
Relationships among Research Focus, Data, Source, and Sample
Validity and Reliability in Data Collection
Validity of Data
Determining Validity of Test Data
Determining Validity of Non-Test Data
Reliability of Data
Determining Reliability of Test Data
Determining Reliability of N on Test Data
Relationship between Validity and Reliability
Procedures in Data Collection
Notation
Description
Analysis
Questioning
Testing
APPLYING TECHNOLOGY Survey Construction
A PPLYING TECHNOLOGY Searchable Online Test Locators
Measurement
Relationships between Types of Research and Data Collection
A Composite of Research Types and Data Collection Procedures
Data Collection Profiles
DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITY Data Collection Decisions
Chapter Summary
List of Important Terms
Your Current Status
Activities for Thought and Discussion
Answers to Chapter Exercises
References and Recommended Readings
CHAPTER 7 Analyzing Research Data and Presenting Findings
Preview
Targeted Learnings
Qualitative Data and Quantitative Data
An Example of Qualitative Analysis
An Example of Quantitative Analysis
Analyzing Ethnographic Data
Cautions and Reminders in Qualitative Data Analysis
Analyzing Quantitative Data
APPLYING TECHNOLOGY Software Programs for Analyzing Qualitative Data
Populations and Parameters; Samples and Statistics
What Statistics Are Used For
Descriptive Statistics and Inferential Statistics
APPLYING TECHNOLOGY More about Statistics
Cautions in Using Statistics
APPLYING TECHNOLOGY Software Programs for Analyzing Quantitative Data
Presenting Your Findings
A PPLYING TECHNOLOGY Selecting an Appropriate Statistical Test
DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITY Statistical Analysis Decisions
Chapter Summary
List of Important Terms
Your Current Status
Activities for Thought and Discussion
Answers to Chapter exercises
References and Recommended Readings
CHAPTER 8 Designing a Research Project
Preview
Targeted Learnings
How Planning Should Be Done
The Approach to Planning Advocated in This Book
Tasks to Be Accomplished When Planning Research
Task 1. State the Title, Topic, Problem, and Questions and/or Hypotheses
Task 2. Identify Keywords or Desciptors and Outline the Library Search for Related Information
Task 3. Identify Needed Data and Sources
Task 4. List the Steps You Will Need to Carry Out to Complete the Study
Task 5. Specify the Procedures and Tools You Will Employ in Collecting Data
Task 6, Foresee How Data Can Best Be Analyzed and Interpreted
Task 7. Anticipate the Appropriate Report Format for Your Research
APPLYING TECHNOLOGY More Guidelines for Reports
Illustrative Example of Planning a Research Project
Topic and Problem
Examination of the Literature
Required Data and Data Sources
Appraisal of Holly’s Plan
An example of a Research Proposal
DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITY Planning for Your Research
Chapter Summary
List of Important Terms
Your Current Status
Activities for Thought and Discussion
References and Recommended Readings
CHAPTER 9 Preparing a Research Report
References and Recommended Readings
Preview
Targeted Learnings
Conventions in Research and Reporting
Style Guides
Conventions of Style
Title
Person and Voice
Tense
Tentative versus Definitive Statements
Simplicity of Language
Consistency
Conventions of Format
Introduction
Review of Related Literature
Procedures or Method
Findings or Results
Conclusions or Discussion
Front and Back Material
A Composite Outline of Format Conventions
Sample Pages
For Research Papers and Journal Articles
For Masters’ Theses
For a Thesis That Reports Action Research
Thesis Format for Other Types of Research
DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITY Preparing to Write Your Report
Chapter Summary
List of Important Terms
Your Current Status
Activities for Thought and Discussion
Answers to Chapter Exercises
PART FOUR: Procedures and Exemplars of Research as Differentiated by Tradition
CHAPTER 10 Qualitative Research Methods
Preview
Targeted Learnings
Characteristics of Qualitative Research
The Qualitative Research Process
Qualitative Data Collection Techniques
Characteristics of Qualitative Data: Accuracy, Credibility, and Dependibility
Qualitative Data Analysis Techniques
Approaches to Qualitative Research
The Nature of Ethnographic Research
Topics in Ethnographic Research
Procedures in Ethnographic Research
The Richness of Ethnographic Research
Strengths and Concerns in ethnographic Research
An Example of Ethnographic Research
Organizing for Ethnographic Research
The Nature of Narrative Research
Procedures in Narrative Research
Strengths and Concerns in Narrative Research
An Example of Narrative Research
APPLYING TECHNOLOGY More about Qualitative Research
Chapter Summary
List of Important Terms
Activities for Thought and Discussion
Answers to Chapter Exercises
References and Recommended Readings
CHAPTER 11 Survey Research
Preview
Targeted Learnings
Characteristics of Survey Research
Types of Surveys
Types of Survey Questions
Survey Design Considerations
The Survey Research Process
APPLYING TECHNOLOGY More about Survey Research
Strengths and Concerns in Survey Research
An Example of Survey Research
Chapter Summary
List of Important Terms
Activities for Thought and Discussion
Answers to Chapter Exercises
References and Recommended Readings
CHAPTER 12 Nonexperimental Quantitative Research
Preview
Targeted Learnings
Weather and the Process of Education
Correlations
The Nature of Correlational Research
Cautions Concerning Cause and Effect
Topics for Correlational Research
Hypotheses and Questions in Correlational Research
Correlational Research Design
Data Sources and Collection
What Can Be Correlated and How
Product-Moment Correlation
Biserial Correlation and Point-Biserial Correlation
Phi Correlation and Tetrachoric Correlation
Correlations from Rankings
Multivariate Correlations
Partial Correlation
Multiple Regression
Discriminant Analysis
Factor Analysis
An Example of Correlational Research
Organizing for Correlational Research
Selecting the Variables
Stating Questions or Hypotheses
Assessing and Quantifying the Variables
Selecting a Sample
Collecting Data
Analyzing the Data
APPLYING TECHNOLOGY More about Correlational Research
Organizing for Correlational Research
Causal-Comparative Research
The Nature of Causal-Comparative Research
Conducting Causal-Comparative Research
An Example of Causal-Comparative Research
Chapter Summary
List of Important Terms
Activities for Thought and Discussion
Answers to Chapter Exercises
References and Recommended Readings
CHAPTER 13 Experimental, Quasi-Experimental, and Single-Subject Designs
Targeted Learnings
The Search for Causation
Experimental Research
Quasi-Experimental Research
Fundamentals of Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research
Cause and effect
Random Selection and Assignment
Use of Experimental Research
Experimental Designs
Quasi-experimental Designs
The Commonality of Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs
Single-Subject Designs
Threats to Internal and External Validity
An Example of Quasi-Experimental Research
APPLYING TECHNOLOGY More about Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research Designs
An Example of Single-Subject Research
Chapter Summary
List of Important Terms
Activities for Thought and Discussion
Answers to Chapter Exercises
References and Recommended Readings
CHAPTER 14 Mixed-Methods Research Designs
Preview
Targeted Learnings
Characteristics of Mixed-Methods Research
Mixed-Methods Research Designs
The Mixed-Methods Research Process
Strengths and Concerns in Mixed-Methods Research
APPLYING TECHNOLOGY More about Mixed-Methods Research
An Example of Mixed-Methods Research
Chapter Summary
List of Important Terms
Activities for Thought and Discussion
Answers to Chapter Exercise
References and Recommended Readings
PART FIVE: Procedures and Exemplars of Research as Differentiated by Practicality
CHAPTER 15 Action Research
Preview
Targeted Learnings
Action Research
The Importance of Action Research
Characteristics of Action Research
An Example
The Action Research Process
An Example of Action Research
Review of Action Research
Organizing for Action Research
Strengths and Cautions in Action Research
APPLYING TECHNOLOGY: More about Action Research
Chapter Summary
Activities for Thought and Discussion
Answers to Chapter Exercise
References and Recommended Readings
CHAPTER 16 Evaluation Research
Preview
Targeted Learnings
Evaluation Research
Types of Evaluation Research
Evaluating Methods, Materials, and Programs
An Example of Evaluation Research: “insert title of new article”
Organizing for Evaluation Research
Chapter Summary
Activities for Thought and Discussion
Answers to Chapter Exercise
References and Recommended Readings
APPENDIX A Overview of Statistical Concepts and Procedures
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