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Research Methods in Education William Wiersma

Research Methods in Education By William Wiersma

Research Methods in Education by William Wiersma


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Research Methods in Education Summary

Research Methods in Education: An Introduction by William Wiersma

A classic in its field, Research Methods in Education explains the research process with emphasis on the formulation of a research question, referencing current literature in the field, using appropriate research designs, and writing and evaluating research reports. Both quantitative and qualitative research designs are described. Measurement, sampling, and statistics are presented as essential research tools. Retaining the clear, concise writing style and organization that has made this text so popular, Research Methods in Education helps students evaluate research literature as well as master research methodology. It emphasizes the rationale for commonly used research procedures and their applications. The authors outline the nature of educational research and clearly define the steps in the research process. The text is broad in scope-covering both quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research methodologies as well as describing how to write research proposals and reports of completed research. Research Methods in Education gives students a solid understanding of all the elements of research.

Table of Contents

Preface Acknowledgements 1. Educational Research: Its Nature and Characteristics Introduction The Nature of Educational Research The Systematic Process of Research The Validity of Educational Research Internal Validity External Validity The Reliability of Educational Research Research Has a Variety of Forms Classification of Educational Research Basic and Applied Research Qualitative and Quantitative Research General Methods of Research Experimental Research Quasi-Experimental Research Nonexperimental Quantitative Research Historical Research Ethnographic Research The Role of Theory The Activities of the Research Process Identification of the Research Problem Data Collection Analysis Summarizing Results and Drawing Conclusions Summary The Function of Educational Research Key Concepts Exercises Notes References 2. Identification of a Research Problem Selection of a Research Problem Statement of the Research Problem Constants, Variables, and Operational Definition Independent and Dependent Variables Other Possible Types of Variables Variables as They are Measured Operational Definition Hypotheses and the Statement of the Problem Types and Forms of Hypotheses Examples of Hypotheses Related to Problem Statements Examples From the Research Literature Summary Key Concepts Exercises Notes References 3. The Review of the Literature The Activities of the Review of the Literature Sources of Information The Library Periodical Literature Education Index Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) An Example Using CIJE and RIE Other Indexes and Abstracts Review of Educational Research (RER) Reports of Meta-Analysis Abstracts and Reports in Periodicals Theses and Dissertations Books Computer Searches of Databases Conducting a Search Searching a Database for a Specific Research Problem - One Descriptor Searching a Database for a Specific Research Problem - More than One Descriptor Other Sources Available Through the Computer Selecting Studies for the Review of the Literature Assembling and Summarizing Information Abstract or Summary Organizing Information Interpreting and Using Information Critical Review Writing the Review Referencing Preparing the Bibliography Summary Key Concepts Exercises Notes References 4. Research Design in Quantitative Research The Purposes of Research Design The Concept of Controlling Variance Procedures for Controlling Variance Randomization Building in Factors as Independent Variables Holding Factors Constant Statistical Control Using Procedures for Control in Combination Characteristics of Good Research Design Freedom from Bias Freedom from Confounding Control of Extraneous Variables Statistical Precision for Testing Hypotheses Summary Key Concepts Exercises Notes References 5. Experimental Research The Meaning of Experimental Design Experimental Variables Use of the Term Subject Criteria for a Well-Designed Experiment Experimental Validity Threats to Experimental Validity Posttest-Only Control Group Design Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design Solomon Four-Group Design Factorial Designs Repeated Measures Designs Designs Extended in Time Time Series Designs Interpreting Results of Experiments Randomness and Representativeness Summary Key Concepts Exercises Notes References 6. Quasi-Experimental Research The Problems of Validity Posttest-Only, Nonequivalent Control Group Design Pretest-Posttest, Nonequivalent Control Group Design Time Series Designs Single-Group Time Series Design Multiple-Group Time Series Design Variations in Time Series Designs Single-Subject Designs A-B Design A-B-A Design A-B-A-B Design Multiple-Baseline Designs Multiple-Baseline Design Across Behaviors Multiple-Baseline Design Across Subjects Multiple-Baseline Design Across Situations Action Research and Quasi-Experimental Research Summary Key Concepts Exercises Notes References 7. Non-Experimental Quantitative Research Non-Experimental Quantitative Research: Its Scope and Description Ex post facto Research Causal-Comparative Research Examples Correlational Research Examples Survey Research Survey Designs Longitudinal Designs Cross-Sectional Designs The Methodology of Survey Research Questionnaire Surveys Item Construction Item Format Pilot Run of the Items The Cover Letter Questionnaire Format Procedures for Increasing Response Rate Follow-up Procedures Identifying Sources of Nonresponse Incomplete and Possible Dishonest Response Examples Community Surveys Client Surveys Web-Based Surveys Factors to Consider When Conducting Web-Based Surveys Interview Surveys Interview Items Conducting the Interview Potential Sources of Error Telephone Interviews A Comment About Branching Items Other Surveys Analyzing and Reporting Survey Results Hypothetical Example 1 Hypothetical Example 2 Summary Key Concepts Exercises Notes References 8. Research Design in Qualitative Research The Epistemology of Qualitative Research Components of Research Design Working Design Working Hypotheses Data Collection Data Analysis and Interpretation Possible Codes Coding Examples Types of Designs in Qualitative Research Perspectives for Qualitative Research Example: Funnel Approach Example: Modified Analytic Induction Approach Reliability and Validity of Qualitative Research Use of Technology in Qualitative Research Capabilities of Computer Software in Qualitative Research Summary Key Concepts Exercises Notes References 9. Historical Research The Value of Historical Research Sources of Information in Historical Research The Methodology of Historical Research Identification of the Research Problem Collection and Evaluation of Source Materials External Criticism Internal Criticism Synthesis of Information Analysis, Interpretation, and Formulating Quantitative Methods in Historical Research Comments on the Reporting of Historical Research Reports in Professional Journals Summary Key Concepts Exercises References 10. Ethnographic Research The Nature of Ethnography in Education The Phenomenological Nature The Naturalistic Nature The Holistic and General Perspective A Conceptual Schema for Ethnographic Research The Process of Ethnographic Research Identification of the Phenomenon to be Studied Identification of Subjects Hypothesis Generation Data Collection Observation Videotaping Interviewing Reviewing Other Sources Triangulation Analysis Coding Use of Numbers Drawing Conclusions Examples of Ethnographic Research in Education The Reliability and Validity of Ethnographic Research Reliability Validity The Role of Ethnographic Research Summary Key Concepts Exercises Notes References 11. Mixed, Modeling and Delphi Methods Mixed Methods Summary Modeling Methods Application of Modeling Methods Developing the Conceptual Model Model Specification Model Fitting Summary Delphi Method The Delphi Process Question Definition Delphi-Panel Creation First-Round Questionnaire: Initial Subject Consideration Subsequent-Round Questionnaires and the Analysis of Responses Variations of the Delphi Examples of the Delphi Considerations When Conducting a Delphi Summary Key Concepts Exercises Notes References 12. Sampling Designs The Concept of a Random Sample Random Selection and Random Assignment Use of a Random Number Table Use of the Computer in Sample Selection Sampling Error and Sampling Bias Criteria for a Sampling Design Stratified Random Sampling Allocation of Sample Size Among Strata Cluster Sampling Systematic Sampling Possible Problem of Periodicity Considerations in Determining Sample Size-Random Sampling Purposeful Sampling Comprehensive Sampling Maximum Variation Sampling Extreme Case Sampling Typical Case Sampling Homogeneous Sampling Other Variations of Purposeful Sampling Sample Size of Purposeful Samples Summary Key Concepts Notes References 13. Measurement and Data Collection Concepts of Measurement Types of Measurement Scales Reliability of Measurement Empirical Procedures for Estimating Reliability Expected Reliability Coefficients for Various Types of Tests Validity of Measurement Content-Related Evidence Criterion-Related Evidence: Concurrent and Predictive Construct-Related Evidence The Variables Measured in Educational Research Tests and Inventories Used for Measurement Achievement Tests in Academic and Skills Areas Attitude Inventories Likert Scale Semantic Differential Aptitude Tests Personality Measures Rating Scales Observation Systems Measures Involving Holistic Scoring Where to Find Test Information Scoring and Data Preparation Coding Data An Example of a Data File Summary Key Concepts Exercises Notes References 14. Data Analysis: Descriptive Statistics The Multiple Meanings of Statistics Distributions Describing a Distribution of Scores Measures of Central Tendency Measures of Variability Shapes of Distributions Standard Scores Properties of Standard Scores Determining Standard Scores Correlation - A Measure of Relationship Uses of Correlation Different correlation Coefficients Data Analysis by Computer Summary Key Concepts Exercises Note 15. Data Analysis: Inferential Statistics Context for Using Inferential Statistics Testing Hypotheses and Estimating Parameters Concept pf a Sampling Distribution Building a Confidence Internal - The Example Continued Possible Errors in Hypothesis Testing Inferences from Statistics to Parameters: A Reviews Parametric Analyses The t-Distribution - Another Sampling Distribution Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Nonparametric Analyses The Chi-Square ( 2) Test and Distribution Correlational Analyses Analysis of Covariance Selecting an Appropriate Statistical Analysis Comments About Statistical Analysis Meta-Analysis Summary Key Concepts Exercises Notes References 16. Communicating About Research Major Sections of the Research Proposal Identification of the Problem Review of the Literature Methods of Procedures Significance of the Proposed Research Other Sections of the Research Proposal Cover Page Abstract Budget Timeline Staff Resumes Appendices Major Sections of the Research Report Introduction, Including the Statement of the Problem Review of the Literature Methods or Procedures Results Use of Tables Conclusions, Recommendations, and Implications Other Sections of the Research Report Abstract Bibliography and Reference List Appendix Putting a Report Together Software for Word Processing Guidelines for Presenting Papers at Meetings Presentations to Dissertation and Thesis Committees Summary Key Concepts Exercises Note References 16. Evaluating Research Reports Types of Errors and Shortcomings in Reports Critiquing Major Sections of a Research Report Introduction Review of the Literature Methods or Procedures Results Conclusions, Recommendations, and Implications Overall Impressions When Evaluating a Report The Review Process for Journals Suggested Disposition The Evaluation of Proposals Significance of the Proposed Research Quality of the Proposed Research Summary Key Concepts Exercises References Appendix 1: Ethical and Legal Considerations in Conducting Research Appendix 2: Solutions to Exercises Appendix 3: Tables Table A. Ordinates and Areas of the Normal Curve Table B. Critical Values of t Table C. Upper Percentage Points of the 2 Distribution Table D. Upper Percentage Points of the F-Distribution Table E. Critical Values of the Correlation Coefficient Glossary of Research Methods Terms Name Index Subject Index Disk Instructions

Additional information

CIN0205581927G
9780205581924
0205581927
Research Methods in Education: An Introduction by William Wiersma
Used - Good
Hardback
Pearson Education (US)
2008-06-04
512
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
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