Educational Research


Book Description

Educational Research: A Guide to the Process is a different kind of research text. It emphasizes the process of research, that is, what researchers actually do as they go about designing and carrying out their research activities. Rather than passively reading about research operations, it promotes content mastery by using a three-step pedagogical model that involves: a manageable chunk of text, a comprehension or application exercise, and author feedback on the exercise. The text contains approximately 150 of these exercise-feedback units. The second edition has been thoroughly updated, expanded from 15 to 20 chapters, and reorganized into two parts. Part I covers basic aspects of the research process, provides an example of a student research proposal, and shows how to evaluate a research report. Part II provides a separate chapter for each research methodology, including two chapters on qualitative research. Other noteworthy changes include more annotated studies and more visual illustrations of statistical and research methods.




A Guide to Practitioner Research in Education


Book Description

This book is a guide to research methods for practitioner research. Written in friendly and accessible language, it includes numerous practical examples based on the authors′ own experiences in the field, to support readers. The authors provide information and guidance on developing research skills such as gathering and analysing information and data, reporting findings and research design. They offer critical perspectives to help users reflect on research approaches and to scrutinise key issues in devising research questions. This book is for undergraduate and postgraduate students, teachers and practitioners in practitioner research development and leadership programmes. The team of authors are all within the School of Education at the University of Glasgow and have significant experience of working with practitioner researchers in education.




School-based Research


Book Description

Focused on the needs of the new classroom researcher, and those studying education on Masters-level courses, this is a thorough and thoughtful guide to the research process, covering qualitative, quantitative and mixed research methods. It guides you through research design, data collection and analysis and how to write up your research findings. This third edition has been updated to provide further coverage on the best ways to approach, construct and carry out educational research within the classroom including: a new chapter on disseminating research knowledge expanded coverage of formulating research questions a reworked chapter structure better reflecting the research process This is essential reading for students on education degree programmes including a research methods component, including education studies, undergraduate (BEd, BA with QTS) and postgraduate (PGCE, School Direct, Teach First, SCITT) initial teacher education courses, MEd and professional development courses. Online resources expanding on and complementing the contents of the book can be found at: study.sagepub.com/wilsonsbr3e




Action Research in Education, Second Edition


Book Description

Introduction to action research -- Choosing and learning about your research topic -- Approaches to action research -- Developing a plan of action -- Data collection tools -- Using assessment data in action research -- Data analysis and interpretation -- Writing, implementing, and sharing the research findings.




Understanding Education Research


Book Description

Understanding Education Research, 2nd Edition is designed to help students learn to read educational research articles carefully, systematically, and critically. Readers will learn how to categorize titles, decode abstracts, find research questions, characterize research arguments, break down methods and procedures, explore references, apply analysis strategies, and interpret findings. This textbook and quick reference guide allows students to easily develop the skills they need to become research literate and the 2nd edition has been updated throughout to offer simple guidelines for qualitative, quantitative, and statistical approaches and up-to-date information on complex and confusing methodologies.




Action Research


Book Description

NOTE: Used books, rentals, and purchases made outside of Pearson If purchasing or renting from companies other than Pearson, the access codes for the Enhanced Pearson eText may not be included, may be incorrect, or may be previously redeemed. Check with the seller before completing your purchase. This package includes the Enhanced Pearson eText and the bound book. Born of the author's own experience working with teachers and principals, Action Research, 5/e, provides a research-based step-by-step outline of how to do action research. The author guides teachers and administrators through the action research process via numerous concrete illustrations; positioning it as a fundamental component of teaching. The Enhanced Pearson eText features embedded video. From reviews of the book: "Mills' writing style is informative, direct, and personalized and his expertise as a researcher is evident throughout the textbook. He fully understands the uniqueness of teacher-centered research. . . . The language and the illustration cater to the classroom research contexts and it is easy to understand and apply." -Adel Al-Bataineh, Illinois State University "The book emphasizes the importance of reflection and creating an action plan. . . . Examples of action research papers are included. There are study sites, videos, slides and other supplemental materials available for the students to consult for ancillary learning. The writing style is clear, interesting and engaging. Throughout the text, Mills offers the reader a research scenario that helps to position him or her around the theme of the chapter and context of the research phase. This helps to alleviate some of the anxiety students of action research may experience as they begin each aspect of the action research process." -Beverly Melenyzer, California University of Pennsylvania "[T]he survey examples, SurveyMonkey, and direct observation examples are very good, as well as the informal interview, making records, [and] data collection techniques. . . . [T]he section on re-aligning the focus and action research plan is very good. I find my students doing this as they are doing their literature review and understanding that they need to narrow the scope of their research. I like the example of doing AR in Ch. 6. . . . I like the inclusion of the data analysis, sample interview and other models of how to analyze data. . . . The key strengths of the project are the authentic examples of AR." -Mary Frances Agnello, Texas Tech University Features Balanced coverage of data collection and analysis techniques for qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods Chapter 4, Data Collection Techniques, covers collection techniques for the most frequently used qualitative and quantitative data, including observations, interviews, teacher-made tests, and standardized test data. Chapter 6, Data Analysis and Interpretation, guides students through data analysis and provides techniques, coding guidelines, and examples for analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data. Inclusion throughout the text of digital research tools that can be used by action researchers through each phase of the action research process. A focus on producing critical consumers of action research Chapter 9, Evaluating Action Research, helps students learn to read and critique studies completed by others. Included in Chapter 9 is an article from an action research journal that is analyzed using the new criteria for evaluating action research. Appendix A, Action Research in Action, contains an extended example and evaluation of an action research case study. Expanded coverage of the ethics of conducting research in your own classroom Chapter 2, Ethics, includes discussion of ethical guidelines and provides guidance for seeking and obtaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. Improve mastery and retention with the Enhanced Pearson eText* The Enhanced Pearson eText provides a rich, interactive learning environment designed to improve student mastery of content. The Enhanced Pearson eText is: Engaging. The new interactive, multimedia learning features were developed by the authors and other subject-matter experts to deepen and enrich the learning experience. Convenient. Enjoy instant online access from your computer or download the Pearson eText App to read on or offline on your iPad® and Android® tablet.* Affordable. The Enhanced Pearson eText may be purchased stand-alone or with a loose-leaf version of the text for 40-65% less than a print bound book. * The Enhanced eText features are only available in the Pearson eText format. They are not available in third-party eTexts or downloads. *The Pearson eText App is available on Google Play and in the App Store. It requires Android OS 3.1-4, a 7" or 10" tablet, or iPad iOS 5.0 or later.




Conducting Educational Research


Book Description

Conducting Educational Research: Guide for Completing a Major Project provides concise, accurate guidance through the entire research process, from developing and focusing research questions, to searching the existing literature, to selecting the most appropriate research design, measurement, and analyses, to interpretation and communication of outcomes. Each chapter represents a step in the process and begins by with a concise overview of the topic. Each chapter includes features and activities that ensure the researcher is asking the right questions and producing a quality project.




Educational Research


Book Description

This book presents a rudimentary exposure to the fi eld of educational research and an attempt to allay the unwarranted fear of those who perceive research as a highly technical and complex scholarly activity carried out by persons in the sciences. The author takes the position that anyone can do research and that it can be an interesting and very worthwhile experience. Educational research, particularly action research, which the author emphasizes, is an invaluable exercise about which everyone in education should be knowledgeable or at least be familiar. Starting with an explication of some salient concepts in the study of research (e.g., research, educational research, research problem v. research topic, hypothesis, experimental v. non-experimental research) , the book takes the reader through the process of conducting a research problem from problem selection and statement, signifi cance, review of literature, methodology, data analysis, fi ndings to recommendations and conclusions. Detailed descriptions of the American Psychological Association (APA) style of referencing with ample examples are provided. The book is written in simple language so that even high school students will be able to acquire a fairly good understanding of each contents. Though the primary target population is undergraduate students of education, the contents are broad enough to provide a guide for students in other disciplines, as well as whet the appetite of the general reader who seeks only a basic knowledge of research and/or educational research.




A Guide to Research for Educators and Trainers of Adults


Book Description

Most texts on educational research methods present only the most commonly used research designs and draw supporting material from school-related studies. The authors have presented a full range of methodology for doing research, with examples from research studies done with adults in adult settings. Chapters of the book are devoted to both traditional and less traditional research methodologies used to study adult education and training. To provide an organizing framework, the common processes found in all research approaches are used as a guide: (1) types of research problems, (2) assumptions underlying methodology, (3) ways the research phenomenon is delineated, and (4) use of data gathering procedures and techniques. Throughout the discussion, examples of actual research studies will be used and strengths and limitations of each method pointed out.




A Guide to Research in Music Education


Book Description

An updated and practical approach to research concepts, techniques, and sources from the 4th edition.