Educational Research: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Approaches offers an accessible introduction to research methods. Providing an in-depth understanding of research methodologies in education, this book illustrates how to read and critically evaluate published research, how to write a proposal, construct research tools, and conduct empirical research using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research approaches.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments Part I: Introduction Chapter 1: Introduction to Educational Research Why Study Educational Research? Areas and Examples of Educational Research General Kinds of Research Primary Sources of Knowledge The Scientific Approach to Knowledge Generation Six Major Objectives of Educational Research Overview of This Book Chapter 2: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods Research What Is a Research Paradigm? Characteristics of the Three Research Paradigms Quantitative Research Methods: Experimental and Nonexperimental Research Qualitative Research Methods Mixed Methods Research (or Mixed Research) Our Research Typology Chapter 3: Action Research for Lifelong Learning Defining Action Research Scientific Research and Action Research Types of Action Research The Cycle of Action Research Strengths and Weaknesses of Action Research Action Research Journaling Action Research in the Remaining Chapters of This Book Part II: Planning the Research Study Chapter 4: How to Critically Review the Literature and Develop Good Research Questions Sources of Research Ideas Review of the Literature Statement of the Research Problem Statement of the Purpose of the Study Statement of Research Questions Formulating Hypotheses Consumer Use of the Literature Action Research Reflection Chapter 5: How to Write a Research Proposal Framework of the Research Proposal Strategies for Writing Each Section of a Research Proposal Action Research Reflection Chapter 6: Research Ethics Philosophical Approaches to Ethics Research Ethical Concerns Ethical Guidelines for Research With Humans Institutional Review Board (IRB) Ethical Issues in Internet-Based Research Ethical Issues When Preparing a Research Report Action Research Reflection Part III: Foundations of Research Chapter 7: Standardized Measurement and Assessment Defining Measurement Assumptions Underlying Testing and Assessment Identifying a Good Test or Assessment Procedure Reliability Validity Educational and Psychological Tests Sources of Information About Tests Action Research Reflection Chapter 8: Methods of Data Collection in Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods Research The Six Major Methods of Data Collection Mixing Methods of Data Collection Tests Questionnaires Interviews Focus Groups Observation Constructed, Secondary, and Existing Data Action Research Reflection Chapter 9: How to Construct a Questionnaire What Is a Questionnaire? Principles of Questionnaire Construction Putting It All Together Action Research Reflection Chapter 10: Sampling in Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods Research Terminology Used in Sampling Random Sampling Techniques Nonrandom Sampling Techniques The Difference Between Random Selection and Random Assignment Determining the Sample Size When Random Sampling Is Used Sampling in Qualitative Research Sampling in Mixed Methods Research Action Research Reflection Chapter 11: Validity of Research Results in Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods Research Validity Issues in the Design of Quantitative Research Internal or Causation Validity External Validity or Generalizing Validity Construct Validity Statistical Conclusion Validity Research Validity (or “Trustworthiness”) in Qualitative Research Research Validity (or “Legitimation”) in Mixed Methods Research Action Research Reflection Part IV: Selecting a Research Method Section A. Quantitative Research Methods: Five Major Approaches Chapter 12: Experimental Research: Weak and Strong Designs The Experiment Independent Variable Manipulation How to Control for Confounding Variables Experimental Research Designs Basic Strong Experimental Research Designs Advanced Strong Experimental Research Designs Action Research Reflection Chapter 13: Experimental Research: Quasi-Experimental and Single-Case Designs Quasi-Experimental Research Designs Single-Case Experimental Designs Action Research Reflection Chapter 14: Nonexperimental Quantitative Research Steps in Nonexperimental Research Three Required Conditions for Cause-and-Effect Relationships Applying the Three Required Conditions for Causation in Nonexperimental Research Techniques of Control in Nonexperimental Research (i.e., How to Design Strong Nonexperimental Research) Interlude (the Study of Causal Relationships in Epidemiology) Classifying Nonexperimental Research by Time and Research Objective The Time Dimension in Nonexperimental Research Design The Research Objective Dimension in Nonexperimental Research Design Action Research Reflection Section B. Qualitative Research Methods: Five Major Approaches Chapter 15: Narrative Inquiry and Case Study Research Qualitative Research Design Narrative Inquiry Case Study Research Action Research Reflection Chapter 16: Phenomenology, Ethnography, and Grounded Theory Phenomenology Ethnography Grounded Theory Action Research Reflection Section C. Mixed Methods Research: Many Approaches Chapter 17: Mixed Methods Research Strengths and Limitations of Quantitative and Qualitative Research Strengths, Limitations, and Reasoning in Mixed Methods Research Constructing Mixed Methods Research Designs Stages of the Mixed Methods Research Process Limitations of Mixed Methods Research Action Research Reflection Part V: Analyzing the Data Chapter 18: Descriptive Statistics Descriptive Versus Inferential Statistics Graphic Representations of Data Measures of Central Tendency Measures of Variability Measures of Relative Standing Examining Relationships Among Variables Action Research Reflection Chapter 19: Inferential Statistics Four Fundamental Points The Concept of a Sampling Distribution Estimation Hypothesis Testing Hypothesis Testing in Research Practice Action Research Reflection Chapter 19 Appendix Chapter 20: Data Analysis in Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research Interim Analysis Segmenting, Coding, and Developing Category Systems Thematic Analysis and Creating Hierarchical Category Systems Identifying Relationships Among Categories Computer Programs for Qualitative and Mixed Methods Data Analysis Data Analysis in Mixed Methods Research Action Research Reflection Chapter 20 Appendix: Additional Types of Codes for Qualitative Research Thirteen Additional Types of Coding Part VI: Writing the Research Report Chapter 21: How to Prepare a Research Report and Use APA Style Guidelines General Principles When Writing Your Research Report Using APA Style (I) Writing an APA-Style Quantitative Research Report (II) Example of an APA-Style Manuscript Writing Qualitative Research Reports Writing Mixed Methods Research Reports Action Research Reflection Glossary References Index