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Educational Research
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Educational Research
Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Approaches

Eighth Edition
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August 2024 | 744 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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Educational Research: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Approaches by R. Burke Johnson and Larry Christensen offers a comprehensive, accessible introduction to research methods for undergraduate and graduate students. Readers will develop an understanding of the multiple research methods and strategies used in education and related fields, including how to read and critically evaluate published research and how to write a proposal, construct a questionnaire, and conduct an empirical research study on their own. The Eighth Edition maintains the features that made this book a best-seller, including attention-grabbing chapter-opening vignettes, lively examples that engage student interest, a conversational and friendly writing style, and more. Fully updated for the Seventh Edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, this new edition includes expanded information on research ethics and IRBs, expanded and more current information on sampling and causation across research designs, and the latest thinking on mixed methods research. Designed to make learning about research methods enjoyable without sacrificing the necessary rigor, this highly readable text transforms readers into critical consumers and users of research

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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

I've enjoyed using Johnson & Christensen for many years now and I look forward to using in the future.

Robert Dahlgren
SUNY Fredonia

Sharp, focused, and highly engaging, this book is essential for both students and teachers to advance their educational research journey, both graduate and postgraduate levels.

Krishna Bista
Morgan State University

Comprehensive, good for doctoral students. Good resource for your doctoral program and understanding all kinds of research. 

Julie Combs
Sam Houston State University

This is a very thorough education research textbook. It would make an exceptional desk reference for any researcher who just needs to brush up on a method or design. 

Gina Gulla
Seton Hall University

This is the ideal text for a research design course. 

Matthew Cooney
Governors State University

The authors have done a wonderful job honoring the arc and magnitude of educational research methods in a readable text accessible to all students pursuing graduate degrees in education. 

Mark Hogue
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Key features
NEW TO THIS EDITION:
  • The new edition is available in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
    • Flashcards and note-taking tools help students better prepare for class.
    • NEW! Audiobook Player allows students to listen to text content, boosting comprehension and retention. It offers flexible, on-the-go access, engaging both reluctant readers and auditory learners, improving the overall reading experience.
    • The Offline Reading option in the Student Dashboard offers greater accessibility to Vantage’s reading content, regardless of where students are or how strong their internet connection may be.
  • The latest thinking, research, and terminology in mixed methods has been updated throughout the text to provide readers with the most up-to-date information on this fast-changing research approach.
  • Expanded information on preparing materials for Institutional Review Boards and research ethics walks readers through this crucial step in the research process.
  • Expanded information on qualitative research throughout the book better prepares students to use this crucial approach in their research.
  • Updated for the newest Seventh Edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association in writing, grammatical changes, and citation style throughout, but especially in Chapter 21.
  • Learning objectives have been thoroughly rewritten throughout the book to better align with the content of the chapters and reflect actual learning outcomes.
  • Updates to references, new concepts with definitions, journal articles, review questions, recommended readings and websites, and more ensure that students are learning from the most up-to-date information in the field.
KEY FEATURES:
  • Chapters are organized to follow the major components or steps involved in the research process.
  • Every chapter starts with an opening vignette that connects the content with current events, followed by a list of objectives to get students thinking about what they are going to learn.
  • While many texts only offer one method, this text provides balanced coverage of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research while also explaining each method’s strengths and appropriateness.
  • The authors' conversational and friendly writing style makes the book student-friendly, accessible, and easy to read.
  • Each of the six major parts of the book includes a helpful overview, highlighting key concepts presented in each section’s chapters.
  • Each chapter ends with a full chapter summary, a list of the key terms used in the chapter, discussion questions, research exercises, relevant websites, and recommended reading.
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