Table of Contents
Most chapters open with “Overview” and close with “Chapter Summary,” “Guided Tour,” “Application Exercises,” and “Multiple Choice Questions.” 1.Research Awareness.
Introduction.
Research Awareness Pretest: True or False?
Answers with Explanations.
2.Constructs, Variables, and Hypotheses.
Constructs and Operational Definitions.
Types of Variables.
Hypotheses.
3.Research as a Process.
Theory-Based Research.
Problem-Based Research.
4.The Research Hypothesis.
The Research Hypothesis versus Research Question.
Sources of Hypotheses.
Is It Researchable?
Is It Legal and Ethical?
Is It Meaningful?
Has It Already Been Answered?
What Type of Data Will Answer It?
5.Types of Educational Research.
Research Differences.
Quantitative versus Qualitative.
Descriptive versus Inferential.
True Experimental versus Quasi-Experimental.
Causal Comparative versus Correlational.
Single-Subject versus Group.
Teacher versus Traditional.
6.Samples and Sampling.
Describing Data.
Sample Size Determination.
Sampling Methods.
External Validity.
Population and Ecological Generalization.
Sampling Blunders and Short Cuts.
7.The Reliability and Validity of Measures.
Introduction to Reliability and Validity.
Reliability Explained (In Theory).
Reliability Explained (In Practice).
Validity.
8.Research Bias and Control.
Experimenter Expectancy and Blinding.
Hawthorne Effect, John Henry Effect, and Placebos.
Campbell and Stanley Threats and Control Groups.
Randomized Control Groups.
Order Effects and Counterbalancing.
9.Common Experimental Research Designs.
Research Designs.
True Experimental Designs.
Quasi-Experimental Designs.
Single-Subject Designs.
10.Common Non-Experimental Research Designs.
The Basic Causal Comparative Design.
Correlational Research Designs.
Descriptive Designs.
11.Data Analysis.
Coin Flips and Probability.
Reading Faces.
The Null Hypothesis.
The p Value Determination (Conceptually).
Common Statistical Tests.
Parametric vs. Nonparametric Tests.
Statistical Errors.
The Importance of Power.
Qualitative Data Analysis.
12.Research Critiques.
What Is a Critical Review?
Guidelines for Critiques.
Good Critiques Take Practice.
References.
Index.
