Sue Brandreth's Learning Resources

Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Philosophical Assumptions and Interpretive Frameworks
Chapter 3. Designing a Qualitative Study
Chapter 4. Five Qualitative Approaches to Inquiry
Chapter 5. Five Different Qualitative Studies
Chapter 6. Introducing and Focusing the Study
Chapter 7. Data Collection
Chapter 8. Data Analysis and Representation
Chapter 9. Writing a Qualitative Study
Chapter 10. Standards of Validation and Reliability in Qualitative Research
Chapter 11. “Turning the Story” and Conclusion
Appendix A. An Annotated Glossary of Terms
Appendix B. A Narrative Research Study
Appendix C. A Phenomenological Study
Appendix D. A Grounded Theory Study
Appendix E. An Ethnography
Appendix F. A Case Study

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Sharp, J. (2012) Success with you Education Research Projects, Second Edition, Study Skills in Education, Learning Matters, SAGE Publications, Inc.

Research projects are carried out in schools and non-school settings by virtually all undergraduates in the areas of teacher training, Education Studies and other educational disciplines. This text, written for this specific target audience, makes clear references to these courses and contexts throughout. Hot topics such as using the net and plagiarism are covered with up-to-date information, while key content on literature searches, critical thinking and the development of argument provide clear guidance and ensure academic rigor. This new edition has been updated throughout to provide greater depth on many topics, Faqs and a glossary of key terms.

Success with Your Education Research Project is a practical, user-friendly text on research methods aimed specifically at undergraduate students on education courses. Research projects are carried out in schools and non-school settings by nearly all undergraduates in teacher training, Education Studies and other educational disciplines, and this book makes clear references to these courses and contexts throughout. All chapters include learning outcomes, worked examples, practical and reflective tasks and summaries of key points. Topics such as using the Net and plagiarism are covered with up to date information, while key content on literature searches, critical thinking and the development of argument provides clear guidance and ensures deeper understanding. This new edition has been updated throughout to provide greater depth on many topics.

Study Skills in Education

This series addresses key study skills in the context of education courses, helping students indentify their strenghts and weaknesses, increase their confidence and realise their academic potential. The books are suitable for students on:

– any course of Initial Teacher Training leading to the award of QTS (primary or secondary)

– degree course in Education or Education Studies with or without QTS

– degree courses in Early Years or Early Childhood Studies;

– foundation degrees in Education or any education-related subject discipline

Table of Contents

Section 1 Think before you do
The benefits of practical research
Analysing situations – identifying issues
Reviewing existing ideas
Section 2 Planning and preparation
Who to ask
How to ask – decisions, decisions!
How to ask – surveying the situation
How to ask – observing operations and outcomes
How to ask – deciphering documentation
How to ask – action research
Section 3 Reporting – making sense of the outcomes
Presenting your findings
Analysing – comparing evidence
Conclusions and recommendations: identifying key findings

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Punch, K.F. (2006) Developing Effective Research Proposals, Second Edition, Sage Publishing Ltd.

A newer edition of this book is available

Successful research requires effective and thorough preparation. In this expanded and updated Second Edition of Developing Effective Research Proposals Keith Punch offers an indispensable guide to the issues involved in proposal development and in presenting a well-considered plan for the execution of research.

Dealing with both qualitative and quantitative approaches to empirical research across the social sciences, the Second Edition comprehensively covers the topics and concerns relevant to the subject and is organized around three central themes: What is a research proposal, who reads proposals and why? How can we go about developing a proposal? and What might a finished proposal look like?

New features of this edition include:

-Expanded sections covering research strategy, research planning and academic writing

-Examples of successful research proposals from across the social science disciplines

-A more comprehensive discussion of ethics

-A brand new glossary and chapter summaries

The Second Edition will be welcomed by all those preparing or evaluating research proposals, and will be invaluable across all areas of social science, both basic and applied, and for students undertaking quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method studies.

Table of Contents

Research: A Way of Thinking
Research: An Integral Part of Your Practice
Research: A Way to Gather Evidence for Your Practice
Applications of Research
Research: What Does It Mean?
The Research Process: Characteristics and Requirements
Types of Research
Paradigms of Research
Summary
The Research Process: A Quick Glance
The Research Process: An Eight-Step Model
Phase I: Deciding What to Research
Phase II: Planning a Research Study
Phase III: Conducting a Research Study
Summary
PART ONE: FORMULATING A RESEARCH PROBLEM
Reviewing the Literature
The Place of the Literature Review in Research
How to Review the Literature
Writing about the Literature Reviewed
Summary
Formulating a Research Problem
The Research Problem
The Importance of Formulating a Research Problem
Sources of Research Problems
Considerations in Selecting a Research Problem
Steps in Formulating a Research Problem
The Formulation of Research Objectives
The study population
Establishing operational definitions
Formulating a research problem in qualitative research
Summary
Identifying Variables
What is a variable?
The difference between a concept and a variable
Converting concepts into variables
Types of variable
Types of measurement scale
Summary
Constructing Hypotheses
The definition of a hypothesis
The functions of a hypothesis
The testing of a hypothesis
The characteristics of a hypothesis
Types of hypothesis
Errors in testing a hypothesis
Hypotheses in qualitative research
Summary
PART TWO: CONCEPTUALISING A RESEARCH DESIGN
The Research Design
What is a research design?
The functions of a research design
The theory of causality and the research design
Summary
Selecting a Study Design
Differences between quantitative and qualitative study designs
Study designs in quantitative research
Other designs commonly used in quantitative research
Study designs in qualitative research
Other commonly used philosophy-guided designs
Summary
PART THREE: CONSTRUCTING AN INSTRUMENT FOR DATA COLLECTION
Selecting a Method of Data Collection
Differences in the methods of data collection in quantitative and qualitative research
Major approaches to information gathering
Collecting data using primary sources
Methods of data collection in qualitative research
Collecting data using secondary sources
Summary
Collecting Data Using Attitudinal Scales
Measurement of attitudes in quantitative and qualitative research
Attitudinal scales in quantitative research
Functions of attitudinal scales
Difficulties in developing an attitudinal scale
Types of attitudinal scale
Attitudinal scales and measurement scales
Attitudes and qualitative research
Summary
Establishing the Validity and Reliability of a Research Instrument
The concept of validity
Types of validity in quantitative research
The concept of reliability
Factors affecting the reliability of a research instrument
Methods of determining the reliability of an instrument in quantitative research
Validity and reliability in qualitative research
Summary
PART FOUR: SELECTING A SAMPLE
Selecting a Sample
The differences between sampling in quantitative and qualitative research
Sampling in quantitative research
Sampling in qualitative research
Summary
PART FIVE: WRITING A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
How to Write a Research Proposal
The research proposal in quantitative and qualitative research
Contents of a research proposal
Work schedule
Summary
PART SIX: COLLECTING DATA
Considering Ethical Issues in Data Collection
Ethics: the concept
Stakeholders in research
Ethical issues to consider concerning research participants
Ethical issues to consider relating to the researcher
Ethical issues regarding the sponsoring organisation
Summary
PART SEVEN: PROCESSING AND DISPLAYING DATA
Processing Data
Part one: Data processing in quantitative studies
Part two: Data processing in qualitative studies
The role of statistics in research
Summary
Displaying Data
Methods of communicating and displaying analysed data
Summary
PART EIGHT: WRITING A RESEARCH REPORT
Writing a Research Report
Writing a research report
Developing an outline
Writing about a variable
Referencing
Writing a bibliography
Summary
Research Methodology and Practice Evaluation
What is evaluation?
Why evaluation?
Intervention-development-evaluation process
Perspectives in the classification of evaluation studies
Types of evaluation from a focus perspective
Types of evaluation from a philosophical perspective
Undertaking an evaluation: the process
Involving stakeholders in evaluation
Ethics in evaluation
Summary

Introduction
PART I: STARTING RESEARCH
Getting Started
Kinds, Forms, Skills and Techniques of Research
Research for Longer and Larger Outcomes – Essays, Projects, Dissertations
Research Methodology and Methods
PART II: MANAGING YOUR RESEARCH, YOUR PROGRESS AND INTERACTIONS WITH YOUR SUPERVISOR AND OTHER PEOPLE
Good Practical Activities and Habits
Carrying out the Research Processes
Developing Good Writing Habits
Making the Most of Yourself
Managing and Making the Most of Your Tutor, Lecturer or Supervisor
PART III: DEVELOPING THE RESEARCH AND MAINTAINING MOMENTUM
Collecting, Selecting, Organising and Analysing Data, Interpretation
Presenting, Interpreting, Articulating and Discussing Findings
Overcoming Difficulties and Managing Differences with Situations and People
Writing
Expressing the Findings and the Final Version
Editing, Articulation in Different Forms for Different Disciplines, Aims and Outcomes
What Do Examiners Look For?
PART IV: RESEARCH CONTINUES
Research Approaches and Techniques for Different Purposes
Presenting and Publishing your Work
Your Research Successes, Skills, Your CV and Getting a Job
Glossary of Research Terms
Bibliography
Index

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Grix, J. (2010) The Foundations of Research (Palgrave Research Skills), Second Edition, Palgrave MacMillan

This book offers advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students an accessible introduction to the foundations of research in the human sciences. It covers the tools, terminology and research perspectives that students need to know in order to engage in academic debate and successfully complete their long essays, dissertations and theses.

Found in this Section:

1. Brief Table of Contents

2. Full Table of Contents

1. BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Curiosity, Creativity, and Commitment

Chapter 2 Research is a Process of Inquiry

Chapter 3 The Starting Point: Asking Questions

Chapter 4 Data and the Nature of Measurement

Chapter 5 Statistical Analysis of Data

Chapter 6 Field Research: Naturalistic and Case Study Research

Chapter 7 Correlational and Differential Methods of Research

Chapter 8 Hypothesis Testing, Validity, and Threats to Validity

Chapter 9 Controls to Reduce Threats to Validity

Chapter 10 Single-Variable, Independent-Groups Designs

Chapter 11 Correlated-Groups and Single-Subject Designs

Chapter 12 Factorial Designs

Chapter 13 A Second Look at Field Research: Field Experiments, Program Evaluation, and Survey Research

Appendix A Using the Student Resource Website

Appendix B Writing a Research Report in APA Publication Style

Appendix C Conducting Library Research

Appendix D Selecting Statistical Procedures

Appendix E Research Design Checklist

Appendix F Meta-Analysis

Appendix G Random Numbers

Appendix H Answers to Quick-Check Review Questions

Glossary

References

Name Index

Subject Index

2. FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Chapter 1: Curiosity, Creativity, and Commitment

Classic Studies 1.1: Kitty Genovese and Bystander Apathy

Science

Science Is a Way of Thinking

Asking Questions

Historical Lesson 1.1: The Three Princes of Serendip

Science and Art

Historical Lesson 1.2: Leonardo da Vinci

Acquiring Knowledge

Tenacity

Intuition

Authority

Rationalism

Empiricism

Science

Emergence of Science

Early Civilization

Greek Science

Medieval Science

The Scientific Revolution

The Goals of Science

Psychology

The History of Psychology

Structuralism

Functionalism

Psychodynamics

Gestalt Psychology

Behaviorism

Humanistic Psychology

Cognitive Psychology

Women and Minorities in Psychology

Modern Psychology

The Science of Psychology

The Cost of Neglect 1.4: Science and Pseudoscience

Ethical Principles

Using the Resources of this Text

Exploring the Student Resource Website

Using SPSS for Windows

Summary

Putting It into Practice

Exercises

Chapter 2: Research is a Process of Inquiry

The Scientific Process

Basic Assumptions of Science

Observation and Inference: Facts and Constructs

Inductive and Deductive Thinking

Models and Theories in Science

Historical Lesson 2.1: The Wright Brothers as Scientists

Types of Theories

Scientific Models

A Model of the Research Process

Phases of Research

Idea-Generating Phase

Problem-Definition Phase

Procedures-Design Phase

Observation Phase

Data Analysis Phase

Interpretation Phase

Communication Phase

Levels of Constraint

Naturalistic Observation

Case Study Research (Case Study Research)

Correlational Research

Differential Research

Experimental Research

Moving from One Constraint Level to Another

Ethical Principles

Summary

Putting It into Practice

Exercises

Chapter 3: The Starting Point: Asking Questions

Asking and Refining Questions

Pursuing Your Personal Interests

Following Up on the Work of Others

Historical Lesson 3.1 Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace

Basic, Applied, and Translational Research

Box 3.1 Translational Research

Refining Questions for Research

Types of Variables in Research

Classifying Variables Based on Their Characteristics

Behavioral Variables

Stimulus Variables

Organismic Variables

Classifying Variables Based on Their Use in Research

Independent and Dependent Variables

Extraneous Variables

Variables and Constants

Validity and the Control of Extraneous Variables

Ethical Principles

Ethical Principles for Human Research

Institutional Review Boards

Ethical Checks

Ethics and Diversity Issues in Research

Ethical Principles for Animal Research

Summary

Putting It into Practice

Exercises

Chapter 4: Data and the Nature of Measurement

Measurement

The Cost of Neglect 4.1: Missing Mars

Scales of Measurement

Nominal Scales

Ordinal Scales

Interval Scales

Ratio Scales

Measuring and Manipulating Variables

Measurement Error

Operational Definitions

Evaluating Measures

Reliability

Interrater Reliability

Test-Retest Reliability

Internal Consistency Reliability

Effective Range

Validity

The Need for Objective Measurement

Ethical Principles

Summary

Putting It into Practice

Exercises

Chapter 5: Statistical Analysis of Data

Individual Differences

Organizing Data

Frequency Distributions

Nominal and Ordinal Data

Score Data

Graphical Representation of Data

Descriptive Statistics

Measures of Central Tendency

The Cost of Neglect 5.1: Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics

Measures of Variability

Understanding the Concept 5.1: Degrees of Freedom

Measures of Relationship

Pearson Product-Moment Correlation

Other Correlations

Regression

Reliability Indices

Standard Scores

Statistical Inference

Populations and Samples

The Null Hypothesis

Statistical Decisions and Alpha Levels

Type I and Type II Errors

Inferential Statistics

Testing for Mean Differences

The t-Test

Analysis of Variance

The Power of a Statistical Test

Effect Size

Ethical Principles

Summary

Putting It into Practice

Exercises

Chapter 6: Field Research: Naturalistic and Case Study Research

The Challenge of Low-Constraint Research

Examples of Naturalistic Observation

Biology

Historical Lesson 6.1: Naturalistic Research and Evolution

Ethology

Sociology

Psychology

Examples of Case Study Research

Sigmund Freud

E. L. Whitmer

Jean Piaget

Contemporary Case Studies

The Value of Low-Constraint Methods

Conditions for Using Low-Constraint Research

Exploratory Research

Creative Starting Point for Research

Familiarize Oneself with a New Research Area

Demonstrating Feasibility

Testing Generalizability

Understanding the Concept 6.1: The Therapist as Scientist

Information Gained from Low-Constraint Research

Identifying New Information

Negating a General Proposition

Identifying Contingencies

Qualitative Research Methods

Using Low-Constraint Methods

Problem Statements and Research Hypotheses

Making Observations

How to Observe

Unobtrusive Measures

Archival Measures

Sampling of Participants

Sampling of Situations

Sampling of Behaviors

Evaluating and Interpreting Data

Limitations of Low-Constraint Methods

Poor Representativeness

Poor Replicability

Causal Inference and Low-Constraint Research

Limitations of the Observer

Going Beyond the Data

Ethical Principles

Summary

Putting It into Practice

Exercises

Chapter 7: Correlational and Differential Methods of Research

Defining Correlational and Differential Research

Correlational Research Methods

Differential Research Methods

Cross-Sectional versus Longitudinal Research

Artifacts and Confounding

Comparing These Methods

When to Use These Methods

Conducting Correlational Research

Problem Statements

Secondary Analyses

Measuring the Variables

Sampling

Analyzing the Data

Interpreting the Correlation

Conducting Differential Research

Problem Statements

Measuring the Variables

Selecting Appropriate Control Groups

Sampling

Analyzing the Data

Interpreting the Data

Limitations of Correlational and Differential Research

Problems in Determining Causation

Confounding Variables

Ethical Principles

Summary

Putting It into Practice

Exercises

Chapter 8: Hypothesis Testing, Validity, and Threats to Validity

Hypothesis Testing

Starting Research with an Initial Idea

Statement of the Problem

Operational Definitions

Research Hypothesis

The Contribution of Theory to the Research Hypothesis

Testing the Research Hypothesis

Null Hypothesis

Confounding Variable Hypothesis

Causal Hypothesis

Validity and Threats to Validity

Statistical Validity

Construct Validity

External Validity

Internal Validity

Major Confounding Variables

Maturation

History

Testing

Instrumentation

Regression to the Mean

Selection

Attrition

Diffusion of Treatment

Sequence Effects

Examples of Confounding

Subject and Experimenter Effects

Subject Effects

Experimenter Effects

Ethical Principles

Summary

Putting It into Practice

Exercises

Chapter 9: Controls to Reduce Threats to Validity

General Control Procedures

Preparation of the Setting

Response Measurement

Replication

Control over Subject and Experimenter Effects

Single- and Double-Blind Procedures

Automation

Using Objective Measures

Multiple Observers

Understanding the Concept 9.1: Reliable Reliability

Using Deception

Control through Participant Selection and Assignment

Participant Selection

Random Sampling

Stratified Random Sampling

Ad Hoc Samples

Participant Assignment

Free Random Assignment

Randomizing within Blocks

Matched Random Assignment

Other Matching Procedures

Advantages of Random Selection and Assignment

Control through Experimental Design

Ethical Principles

Summary

Putting It into Practice

Exercises

 

Chapter 10: Single-Variable, Independent-Groups Designs

Variance

Sources of Variance

Systematic Between-Groups Variance

Nonsystematic Within-Groups Variance

Controlling Variance in Research

Maximizing Experimental Variance

Controlling Extraneous Variance

Minimizing Error Variance

Nonexperimental Approaches

Ex Post Facto Studies

Single-Group, Posttest-Only Studies

Single-Group, Pretest-Posttest Studies

Pretest-Posttest, Natural Control-Group Studies

Experimental Designs

Randomized, Posttest-Only, Control-Group Design

Randomized, Pretest-Posttest, Control-Group Design

Multilevel, Completely Randomized, Between-Subjects Design

Pretest-Manipulation Interaction: A Potential Problem

Variations on Experimental Designs

Analyses of Variance

Understanding the Concept 10.1: Statistical Power

Specific Means Comparisons in ANOVA

Graphing the Data

Ethical Principles

Summary

Putting It into Practice

Exercises

 

Chapter 11: Correlated-Groups and Single-Subject Designs

Within-Subjects Designs

Using Within-Subjects Designs

Sequence Effects

Subtypes of Sequence Effects

Controlling Sequence Effects

Random Order of Presentation

Counterbalancing

Analyzing Within-Subjects Designs

Strengths and Weaknesses of Within-Subjects Designs

Matched-Subjects Designs

Using Matched-Subjects Designs

Why Use Matched-Subjects Designs

Identifying Matching Variables

The Process of Matching

Deciding on the Matching Variables

Analyzing Matched-Subjects Designs

Strengths and Weaknesses of Matched-Subjects Designs

Single-Subject Experimental Designs

Historical Lesson 11.1: Neuropsychological Cases

ABA Reversal Design

Multiple-Baseline Design

Single-Subject, Randomized, Time-Series Design

Replication in Single-Subject Designs

Ethical Principles

Summary

Putting It into Practice

Exercises

Chapter 12: Factorial Designs

Factorial Designs

Main Effects and Interactions

Running the Children’s Dark-Fears Study

Possible Outcomes of Factorial Designs

Analysis of Variance in Factorial Designs

Variations of Basic Factorial Design

Within-Subjects or Repeated-Measures Factorial

Mixed Designs

Between-Subjects and Within-Subjects Factors

Manipulated and Nonmanipulated Factors

Mixed in Both Ways

ANOVA: A Postscript

Analysis of Covariance

Multivariate Analysis of Variance

Ethical Principles

Summary

Putting It into Practice

Exercises

Chapter 13: A Second Look at Field Research: Field Experiments, Program Evaluation, and Survey Research

Conducting Field Research

Reasons for Doing Field Research

Testing External Validity

Studying Effects in the Field

Improving Generalization

Difficulties in Field Research

Flexibility in Research

Quasi-Experimental Designs

Nonequivalent Control-Group Designs

Interrupted Time-Series Designs

Program Evaluation Research

Historical Lesson 13.1: From Head Start to Heads Up

Practical Problems in Program Evaluation Research

Issues of Control

Selecting Appropriate Dependent Measures

Minimizing Bias in Dependent Measures

Control through Research Design in Program Evaluation

Typical Program Evaluation Designs

Randomized Control-Group Design

Nonequivalent Control-Group Design

Single-Group, Time-Series Design

Pretest-Posttest Design

Program Evaluation Research: An Example

Surveys

Types of Surveys

Status Surveys

Survey Research

Steps in Survey Research

Types of Survey Instruments

Developing the Survey Instrument

Sampling Participants

Sampling Considerations

The Cost of Neglect 13.1: Political Polling and Sampling

Sampling Procedures

Sample Size and Confidence Intervals

Survey Research Design

Cross-Sectional Design

Longitudinal Design

Sequential Design

Ethical Principles

Summary

Putting It into Practice

Exercises

A final Note to Students

 

Appendix A: Using the Student Resource Website

Resources Available

Student Resource Website

MySearchLab Site

What to Do If You Have Problems

Getting Help

Summary

 

Appendix B: Writing a Research Report in APA Publication Style

Structure of a Research Article

Writing the Research Report

Using Levels of Headings to Organize

Sections of a Research Report

Title Page

Abstract

Introduction

Method

Results

Discussion

References

Writing Style

Summary

Appendix C: Conducting Library Research

Using the Library

Library Resources

The Reference Librarian

How Research Materials Are Organized

Primary Sources

Journal Articles

Dissertations

Secondary Sources

Review Articles

Books and Chapters in Books

Annual Reviews

Finding the Relevant Research

Abstracting Services

Psychological Abstracts

ERIC

Subject or Keyword Services

Library Catalogs

Books in Print

Index Medicus

Readers’ Guide to Periodic Literature

Literature Citation Indexes

Search Strategies

Searching by Topic

Identifying Keywords

Computer Searches

Searching Backward

Searching Forward

Summary

Appendix D: Selecting Statistical Procedures

Selecting Appropriate Statistical Procedures

An Initial Example

A Decision-Tree Model

Decision-Tree Flowchart

Describe the Study

Identify the Study’s Major Characteristics

Select Appropriate Statistics

Secondary Analyses

Post Hoc Analyses

Analyses to Help to Interpret Results

Data Snooping

Caveats and Disclaimers

Understanding the Concept D.1: The Robust Nature of Parametric Statistics

Summary

Exercises

Appendix E: Research Design Checklist

The Research Design Checklist

Initial Problem Definition

Clarity of the Research Hypotheses

Statistical Analysis Procedures

Theoretical Basis and Operational Definitions

Adequacy of the Independent Variable Manipulation

Adequacy of Dependent Measures

Are All Controls in Place?

Participants

Participant Selection

Sample Size

Participant Assignment

Participant Availability

Research Ethics Considerations

Preparation of the Setting

Space and Equipment

Personnel

Adequacy of Participant Preparation, Instruction, and Procedures

Summary

Appendix F: Meta-Analysis

Logic of Meta-Analysis

Literature Reviews

Alpha Levels and Knowledge

Beta Levels and Knowledge

Meta-Analysis and the Problem of Type II Errors

Appendix G: Random Numbers

 

Appendix H: Answers to Quick-Check Review Questions

Glossary

References

Name Index

Subject Index