How to Read, Evaluate, and Use Research
- Sharon L. Nichols - The University of Texas at San Antonio, USA
- Paul A. Schutz - University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
- Sofia Bahena - The University of Texas at San Antonio, USA
This text helps students learn how to select, read, understand, and evaluate the research they read. Many texts focus on the process of conducting research and not as much on how students in applied disciplines can assess and apply that research in their future professional lives; this text aims to fill that gap. Organized in the same way as a research article, the book includes a chapter on literature reviews and research questions, followed by three methods chapters (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods), and a chapter on research conclusions and implications. The book includes a wealth of pedagogical features including Learning Objectives, Check Your Understanding questions, a Guided Application exercise in each chapter, suggested further reading, and a glossary. Three research articles, used as exemplars throughout, are included in the appendix to the book.
This is an excellent and readable resource for doctoral students starting their dissertation process and at the beginning of their work to identify, integrate and apply scholarship to emerging research projects. It is one of the better texts I have seen in recent years that synthesizes the basic concepts for research methods and scholarly inquiry.
Nichols et al. do a good job showing why research is important. I love that finding peer-reviewed sources is treated as a separate topic
than the literature review.
The authors provide a well-defined yet simple explanation of how students can find, analyze, and apply research to their own evidence-based practice.
Making Sense of Research will support learning for students and researchers in all avenues. Through introduction and development of key research topics, readers will gain a deeper understanding of some of the important fundamental concepts of research.
Sample Materials & Chapters
Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
Chapter 2. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW OF DATA-DRIVEN ARTICLES
