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An Introduction to Educational Research
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An Introduction to Educational Research
Connecting Methods to Practice


Other Titles in:
Educational Research

336 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Expand your understanding of educational research with this practice-first introduction.

 

Written specifically for education practitioners, An Introduction to Educational Research: Connecting Methods to Practice approaches research methods from a practice-first perspective that aligns research with professional experiences and identifies the tools and resources readers can use when conducting their own research. Throughout the book, the authors illuminate complex research concepts using problems of practice confronting educators to help readers make meaningful connections with key concepts and research practices. The authors present balanced coverage across research methodologies that is linked to practice, so readers clearly see research as a tool they can use to improve classrooms, schools, districts, and educational organizations.

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Part I: Examining the Foundations of Educational Research
 
Chapter 1: Studying Education Practice with Research
Practitioner-Scholars Defined

 
Using Problems of Practice to Frame Research

 
An Overview of the Problems of Practice

 
The Purposes and Types of Educational Research

 
Research Paradigms

 
Defining Research Methodologies and Research Methods

 
 
Chapter 2: Designing a Research Study
The Overarching Research Process

 
Designing a Research Study

 
 
Chapter 3: Reviewing the Literature
The Importance of the Literature Review

 
Unpacking the Literature Review

 
Difference between Qualitative and Quantitative Literature Reviews

 
The Process of Conducting a Literature Review

 
Staying Organized and Updated: A Few Reminders

 
Using Technology to Complete the Literature Review

 
 
Chapter 4: Considering Research Ethics
Ethics and Educational Research

 
Legal and Institutional Ethical Requirements

 
Managing Research Relationships with Schools and Districts

 
Considering Ethics Across the Research Process

 
Emerging Ethical Challenges

 
 
Part II: Considering Approaches to Educational Research
 
Chapter 5: Introducing Qualitative Research
Characteristics of Qualitative Research

 
Qualitative Methodologies

 
 
Chapter 6: Introducing Quantitative Research
Quantitative Research: Aims and Purposes

 
Characteristics of Quantitative Research

 
Quantitative Research Designs

 
 
Chapter 7: Collecting Qualitative and Quantitative Data
Sampling Strategies

 
Site Access and Participant Recruitment

 
Collecting Qualitative Data

 
Collecting Quantitative Data

 
Considering Technology Tools to Support Data Collection

 
 
Chapter 8: Completing Qualitative Data Analysis
Defining Qualitative Data Analysis: Aims and Purposes

 
Carrying Out Qualitative Data Analysis

 
Issues of Validity in Qualitative Research

 
Technology that Supports Qualitative Data Analysis

 
 
Chapter 9: Completing Quantitative Data Analysis
Quantitative Data Analysis: A Cyclical Approach

 
Descriptive statistics: Identifying Patterns, Trends, and Frequencies

 
Calculating Inferential Statistics

 
A Few of The Most Common Statistical Tests

 
Identifying Missing or Out-of-Range Data

 
Reliability and Validity in Quantitative Research

 
Technology that Supports Quantitative Data Analysis

 
 
Chapter 10: Introducing Mixed Methods Research and Analysis
Defining Mixed Methods Research

 
Characteristics of Mixed Methods Research

 
Mixed Methods Research Designs

 
Models of Mixed Methods Research

 
Selecting a Fixed or Emergent Mixed Methods Design

 
Beyond Selecting a Mixed Methods Model

 
Carrying Out a Mixed Methods Study

 
Mixed Methods Analysis

 
 
Chapter 11: Introducing Action Research
Overview of Action Research

 
The Action Research Cycle

 
Unique Considerations for Action Research

 
Using Technology in Action Research

 
 
Part III: Producing Research to Improve Practice
 
Chapter 12: Writing the Research
Engaging in the Academic Writing Process

 
The Basic Structure of a Research Report

 
Formulating Arguments and Presenting Findings

 
Technologies to Support Writing and Disseminating Research

 
 
Chapter 13: Using and Sharing Research to Improve Practice
Revisiting the Meaning of Practitioner-Scholarship

 
Technologies to Support Sharing Research

 
Summarizing the Research Process and the Methodologies Presented

 
Returning to the Place We Began: Problems of Practice

 
Conclusion

 

Supplements

Instructor Resource Site

The password-protected SAGE Edge Instructor Resource Site includes the following:

  • A Microsoft® Word® test bank is available containing multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and essay questions for each chapter. The test bank provides you with a diverse range of pre-written options as well as the opportunity for editing any question and/or inserting your own personalized questions to effectively assess students’ progress and understanding.
  • Editable, chapter-specific Microsoft® PowerPoint® slides offer you complete flexibility in easily creating a multimedia presentation for your course. Highlight essential content, features, and artwork from the book.
  • Lecture notes summarize key concepts on a chapter-by-chapter basis to help with preparation for lectures and class discussions. 
  • Sample course syllabi for semester and quarter courses provide suggested models for structuring your courses.
  • Carefully selected, web-based multimedia resources feature relevant interviews, lectures, personal stories, inquiries, and other content for use in independent or classroom-based explorations of key topics.
Student Study Site
SAGE edge for students provides a personalized approach to help students accomplish their coursework goals in an easy-to-use learning environment.
  • A customized online action plan allows you to track your progress and enhance your learning experience
  • Learning objectives reinforce the most important material
  • Mobile-friendly practice quizzes allow for independent assessment by students of their mastery of course material.
  • Mobile-friendly eFlashcards strengthen understanding of key terms and concepts.
  • Carefully selected, web-based video and multimedia resources feature relevant interviews, lectures, personal stories, inquiries, and other content for use in independent or classroom-based explorations of key topics.
  • Meaningful web resources facilitate further exploration of topics
  • EXCLUSIVE! Access to full-text SAGE journal articles that have been carefully selected to support and expand on the concepts presented in each chapter 

While I appreciated a couple of the authors' chapters, I actually teach Emergency Management and Homeland Security. The examples and methods were too educationally focused.

Professor Caroline Hackerott
Sociology , Arkansas Tech University
December 1, 2016
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Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1


Chad Lochmiller

Chad Lochmiller is currently an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 2010 with a specialization in leadership, policy, and organizations. His research currently focuses on issues related to K-12 educational leadership. Broadly, his research explores how leaders develop capacity to effect positive changes in teaching and learning. His research has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals and in edited volumes. Furthermore, his teaching supports certification, masters, and doctoral students in the... More About Author

Jessica Nina Lester

Jessica Lester is a Professor of Inquiry Methodology in the School of Education at Indiana University, Bloomington. Having been trained in cultural studies and qualitative research methodology, she takes an interdisciplinary approach to her scholarship, including both the methodological and substantive foci of her research program. In her methodological work, Lester focuses on the study of language-based methods, digital tools in qualitative research, and disability in qualitative inquiry. Her substantive research has focused on examining interactional practices in clinical and educational contexts that involve children and youth. Lester... More About Author