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Introduction to Educational Research
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Introduction to Educational Research

Fourth Edition
January 2025 | 400 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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The fourth edition of Introduction to Educational Research by Craig A. Mertler guides readers through the steps of the research process to help them plan and execute research projects in educational settings. With balanced coverage of qualitative and quantitative methods, an emphasis on ethics, and concrete applications of methods, this text offers a practical presentation of the research process. New to the fourth edition are more information on interviews throughout the book, expanded coverage of qualitative research, and a thoroughly updated chapter on action research. Three current research articles are included as appendices to demonstrate qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. Comprehensive and student-friendly, Introduction to Educational Research uses conversational and nontechnical language to help students clearly understand and apply research concepts, principles, procedures, and terminology.
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgements
 
About the Author
 
Initial Research Considerations
 
What is Educational Research?
Finding Answers to Questions

 
Educational Research--What It Is and What It Is not

 
The Scientific Method

 
Educational Research as a Process

 
Knowing Your Specific Discipline

 
Educators as Researchers

 
 
Overview of the Educational Research Process
Planning the Research Study

 
Implementing the Research Study

 
Completing the Research Study

 
The Educational Research Process--A Brief Example

 
 
Identifying a Research Problem
Identifying a Research Topic or Problem

 
Necessary Terminology Related to Research

 
Research Questions and Hypotheses

 
 
Ethics in Educational Research
Ethical Considerations in the Conduct of Research

 
Ethics in Qualitative Versus Quantitative Studies

 
Institutional Review Boards

 
 
Reviewing Related Research Literature
What is Literature Review?

 
Sources for Literature Related to Your Research Topics

 
Searching for ERIC Online Database

 
Searching the Google Scholar Online Database

 
Organizing and Writing Your Literature Review

 
 
Designing a Research Study
 
Qualitative Research Methods
Characteristics of Qualitative Research

 
The Qualitative Research Process

 
Approaches to Conducting Qualitative Research

 
More About Ethnographic Research

 
More About Narrative Research

 
 
Quantitative Research Methods
Characteristics of Quantitative Research

 
The Quantitative Research Process

 
Nonexperimental Research Designs

 
Experimental Research Designs

 
Threats to Validity in Quantitative Designs

 
 
Mixed-Methods Research
Characteristics of Mixed-Methods Research

 
The Mixed-Methods Research Process

 
Approaches to Conducting Mixed-Methods Research

 
Validity, Strengths, and Limitations in Mixed-Methods Research

 
 
Action Research
Characteristics of Action Research

 
The Action Research Process

 
Action Planning and Reflection

 
Validity in Action Research

 
Strengths and Limitations of Action Research

 
 
Writing a Research Proposal
Purpose of a Research Proposal

 
General Aspects of a Research Proposal

 
Components of a Quantitative Research Proposal

 
Components of a Qualitative Research Proposal

 
Proposals for Action Research and Mixed-Methods Studies

 
 
Collecting and Analyzing Data
 
Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis
Sampling Techniques in Qualitative Research

 
Qualitative Data Collection Techniques

 
Characteristics of Qualitative Data: Accuracy, Credibility, and Dependability

 
Qualitative Data Analysis Techniques

 
 
Quantitative Data Collection
Sampling Techniques in Quantitative Research

 
Levels of Measurement

 
Quantitative Data Collection Techniques

 
Characteristics of Quantitative Data: Validity and Reliability

 
 
Quantitative Data Analysis
Quantitative Data Analysis Techniques

 
Descriptive Statistical Analysis

 
Inferential Statistical Analysis

 
Cautions in Using Statistics

 
 
The Research Report
 
Writing a Final Research Report
Importance of the Audience

 
General Guidelines For Writing A Research Report

 
Practical Guidelines for Writing

 
 
Appendix A: Should I Stay or Should I Go? Understanding Teacher Motivation, Job Satisfaction, and Perceptions of Retention Among Arizona Teachers
 
Appendix B: Undocumented and College-Bound: A Case Study of the Supports and Barriers High School Students Encounter in Accessing Higher Education
 
Appendix C: The Impact of Book Reading in the Early Years on Parent–Child Language Interaction
 
Glossary
 
References
 
Index

Supplements

Instructor Resources
Instructor Resource Site 
Online resources included with this text 
 
The online resources for your text are available via the password-protected Instructor Resource Site, which offers access to all text-specific resources, including a test bank and editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides. 
 
For additional information, custom options, or to request a personalized walkthrough of these resources, please contact your sales representative. 

A foundational text for educational researchers

Jeffrey Hunt, Ed.D
Fresno Pacific University

The book covers the basics of research in education and is simplified in a way that is easy for students to follow.

Julie K. Jhun
California State University Dominguez Hills

This is a well-written text which provides good quality examples which makes it more user-friendly.

Robert Ceglie
University of Charlotte
Key features
NEW TO THIS EDITION:
  • More in-depth coverage of choosing a research topic, refining research questions, and conducting literature reviews gives students a solid grounding in the research process.
  • New and expanded coverage of interviews throughout the book, but especially in Chapter 2: Overview of the Educational Research Process and Chapter 11: Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis, better prepare readers to successfully plan and conduct interviews.
  • An expanded chapter on qualitative data collection and analysis more thoroughly cover these important approaches to research.
  • More coverage of mixed methods data analysis and interpretation better prepare students to execute mixed methods research studies.
  • A thoroughly revised chapter on action research includes new discussions of problems of practice in action research and using action research as a means to pursue organizational change, as well as examples of action research conducted during the pandemic.
  • Better alignment between learning objectives and sections in the book help readers navigate through the text more easily.
KEY FEATURES:
  • Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) list the four to eight major targeted learning objectives for that chapter and are ideal for review.
  • Chapter-ending Developmental Activities give students opportunities to apply concepts and skills and can be used as course assignments, in-class activities, and discussions.
  • Chapter Summaries listed in bullet-point format provide focused reviews of chapter content.
  • Research articles in appendices to demonstrate qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods and include annotations that highlight different parts of the research process.
  • A glossary of more than 350 terms—highlighted in boldface when first introduced—offers access to one of the most comprehensive glossaries presented in any educational research textbook.

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