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    Introduction to educational research : a critical thinking approach / W. Newton Suter.

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    • Title:Introduction to educational research : a critical thinking approach / W. Newton Suter.
    •    
    • Author/Creator:Suter, W. Newton, 1950-
    • Published/Created:Thousand Oaks, Calif. : Sage, ©2012.

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    • Library of Congress Subjects:Education--Research.
      Critical thinking.
    • Edition:2nd ed.
    • Description:xxxiv, 491 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm.
    • Summary:"Introduction to Educational Research: A Critical Thinking Approach 2e is an engaging and informative core text that enables students to think clearly and critically about the scientific process of research. In acheiving its goal to make research accessible to all educators and equip them with the skills to understand and evaluate published research, the text examines how educational research is conducted across the major traditions of quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, and action research. The text is oriented toward consumers of educational research and uses a thinking-skills approach to its coverage of major ideas"-- Provided by publisher.
    • Notes:Machine generated contents note: PrefacePart I: FoundationsChapter 1: Educators as Critical ThinkersChapter 2: Thinking About ResearchChapter 3: Diversity of Educational ResearchPart II: Research as ProcessChapter 4: The Research ProblemChapter 5: Research LanguageChapter 6: Theory and PracticePart III: Data CollectionChapter 7: Research Bias and ControlChapter 8: Sampling in ResearchChapter 9: Measurement in ResearchPart IV: Design and AnalysisChapter 10: Common Experimental Research DesignsChapter 11: Common Non-Intervention Research DesignsChapter 12: Qualitative Data, Analysis, and DesignChapter 13: Statistical Data AnalysisPart V: Consumer to ProducerChapter 14: Research Analysis and CritiqueChapter 15: Writing Research ProposalsGlossaryReferencesIndex.
      Includes bibliographical references and index.
    • ISBN:9781412995733 (pbk.)
      1412995736 (pbk.)
    • Contents:Machine generated contents note: pt. I FOUNDATIONS
      1. Educators as Critical Thinkers
      Outline
      Overview
      Value of Evidenced-Based Research in Education
      Value of Critical Thinking Applied to Educational Research
      Recognizing Bias: The Hallmark of Critical Thinking
      Bountiful Opportunity
      Value of Educators as Reflective Practitioners
      Teacher Researchers as Critical Thinkers
      Understanding Inconsistencies in Research
      Charter Schools
      Definitions
      Summary
      Research Improves Education: Educational Data Mining
      Data Mining in the Classroom
      Data Mining Beyond the Classroom
      Qualitative Research and Data Mining
      Avoid Being Snookered
      Claims With No Data
      Selectivity in Choice of Data
      Noncomparable Comparison Groups
      Simple Explanations
      Rates Confused With Numbers or Scores
      Statistical Versus Practical Importance
      Causal Interpretations From Correlational Inklings
      Rising Scores Interpreted as Rising Achievement
      Summary
      Key Terms
      Application Exercises
      Student Study Site
      References
      2. Thinking About Research
      Outline
      Overview
      Sharpen Your Thinking: Powerful Ideas
      Are Biases in Research Obvious?
      Amazing Randi
      Clever Hans
      Benjamin Franklin and the Placebo Control
      Little Emily
      Misinterpretations?
      Paper Sputnik
      Iowa First
      Pygmalion
      Hawthorne
      Other Examples: You Decide
      Control in Experimentation: Compared to What?
      Can You Trust Intuition?
      Relationships: Do We Have Sufficient Information?
      Autism
      Grade Retention
      SAT Preparation
      Contrasting Groups: Are They Meaningful?
      Statistical Logic: How Can Inference Help?
      Muddied Thinking About Important Ideas
      Misunderstood Statistical Significance
      Misunderstood Proof
      Summary
      Key Terms
      Application Exercises
      Student Study Site
      References
      3. Diversity of Educational Research
      Outline
      Overview
      Research Perspectives
      Quantitative Versus Qualitative
      Descriptive and Inferential: Generalization
      Experimental Versus Non-intervention
      Experimental Research
      True Experimental and Quasi-experimental
      True Experimental: Manipulation Plus Random Assignment
      Quasi-experimental: Manipulation Without Random Assignment
      Time Series Quasi-experiments and Rival Explanations
      Non-intervention Research
      Causal Comparative and Correlational
      Causal Comparative Research: Group Classifications
      Tempered Conclusions
      Search for Causes
      Correlational Research
      Individual Differences
      Correlation Is Not Causation
      Summary of Differences: Causal Comparative and Correlational
      Problem-Based Versus Theory-Based Research
      Problem-Based Research
      Action (Teacher) Research
      Single-Subject Action Research
      Group Research
      Large-Scale Policy Research
      Small-Scale Program Evaluation
      Theory-Based Research
      Thinking Beyond Dichotomies
      Mixed Methodologies in Educational Research: A Conclusion
      Summary
      Key Terms
      Application Exercises
      Student Study Site
      References
      pt. II RESEARCH AS PROCESS
      4. Research Problem
      Outline
      Overview
      Research Problem
      Problem Statement Examples
      Conceptual Framework
      Research Question
      Research Hypothesis and Its Sources
      Is the Question Researchable?
      Does the Research Conform to Ethical Guidelines?
      Protection of Human Participants
      Ethics and Responsibility
      Is the Question Meaningful?
      Replication and Extension
      What Has Already Been Answered? What Is Unknown?
      ERIC and Other Resources
      Meta-analysis
      What Type of Data Will Answer the Question?
      Educational Data
      Cognitive Measures
      Affective Measures
      Observational Measures
      Type of Data and Philosophy
      Research Hypotheses in the Literature
      Summary
      Key Terms
      Application Exercises
      Student Study Site
      References
      5. Research Language
      Outline
      Overview
      Constructs and Operational Definitions
      Variables
      Independent Variables
      True Independent Variables
      Quasi-independent Variables
      True and Quasi Contrasted
      Repeated Measures Independent Variables
      Dependent Variables
      Dependent and Independent Variables Contrasted
      "In Between" Independent and Dependent Variables
      Attribute Variables
      Extraneous Variables
      Confounding
      Hypotheses
      Research Hypotheses
      Alternative Hypotheses
      Example: The "Mozart Effect" (Is There One?)
      Alternative Hypotheses and Artifacts: Perceptual Defense
      Another Example: Learning to Spell
      Null Hypotheses
      Summary
      Key Terms
      Application Exercises
      Student Study Site
      References
      6. Theory and Practice
      Outline
      Overview
      Theory-Based Research
      Research Process
      Spelling Acquisition
      Chess and Math
      Gender Bias
      Cooperative Learning Groups
      Problem-Based Research
      Evaluation Research
      Closing the Gap Between Theory and Practice: Action Research
      Action Research Models
      Action Research and Reflective Practice
      Women in Science and Technology
      Classroom Connoisseurs
      Practical Research: A Blend of Theory and Application
      Application of Practical Research as a Process: Homework
      High-Stakes Testing
      Summary
      Key Terms
      Application Exercises
      Student Study Site
      References
      pt. III DATA COLLECTION
      7. Research Bias and Control
      Outline
      Overview
      Experimenter Expectancy and Blinding
      Hawthorne Effect, Placebos, and the John Henry Effect
      Campbell and Stanley Threats and Control Groups
      Extraneous Events
      Instrumentation
      Mortality
      Regression and "Bad Science"
      Selection
      Randomized Control Groups
      Neutralizing Threats
      Random Process
      Sequence Effects and Counterbalancing
      Control by Matching
      Control by Statistics
      Other Potential Biases
      Control Procedures in a Published Study: Creative Drama
      Summary
      Key Terms
      Application Exercises
      Student Study Site
      References
      8. Sampling in Research
      Outline
      Overview
      Describing Data
      Central Tendency
      Dispersion
      Effect Size
      Sample Size
      Group Comparison Studies
      Correlational Studies
      Rules of Thumb
      Evidenced-Based Sample Size
      Sample Size and Precision in Scientific Surveys
      Sample Size Summary
      Sampling Methods
      Random Selection
      Variants of Random Sampling
      Clusters
      Multiple Stage
      Stratified
      Sampling in Qualitative Research
      External Validity
      Sampling Shortcuts and Bias
      Sampling: Research Examples
      Online Educators (Qualitative)
      Cheating Teachers (Qualitative)
      Exemplar Teachers (Quantitative)
      Summary
      Key Terms
      Application Exercises
      Student Study Site
      References
      9. Measurement in Research
      Outline
      Overview
      Instrumentation: Collection of Data From Participants
      Introduction to Reliability and Validity
      Variance
      Correlation
      Reliability in Theory
      True Scores
      Reliability Defined
      Reliability in Practice
      Test-Retest Reliability
      Internal Consistency Reliability: Split-Half, KR20 and KR21, and Alpha
      Interrater Reliability
      Interrater Agreement
      Reliability and Types of Error
      Reliability of Scores
      -Not Tests
      Standard Error of Measurement
      Item Response Theory
      Validity
      Content Validity
      Measuring Achievement on a National Level
      NCE Scales
      NAEP Scores
      Predictive Validity
      Construct Validity: Validation as a Process
      Reliability and Validity in Qualitative Research
      Reliability and Validity in a Published Report on School Climate
      Summary
      Key Terms
      Application Exercises
      Student Study Site
      References
      pt. IV DESIGN AND ANALYSIS
      10. Common Experimental Research Designs
      Outline
      Overview
      Experimental Research Designs
      True Experimental Designs
      Randomized Posttest Control Group Designs
      Randomized Pretest-Posttest Control Group Designs
      Randomized Matched Control Group Designs
      Comparison With Weak Preexperimental Designs
      Randomized Factorial Designs: Interactions and Main Effects
      Meaning of Interaction
      Interaction and Main Effects: A Hypothetical Example
      Quasi-experimental Designs
      Matched Comparison Group Designs
      Time Series Quasi-experiments
      Counterbalanced Quasi-experiments
      Regression-Discontinuity Designs
      Single-Subject Experimental Designs
      ABAB Design
      Multiple Baseline Design
      Experimental Design Examples
      Mathematics Achievement
      Learning Disabilities
      Summary
      Key Terms
      Application Exercises
      Student Study Site
      References
      11. Common Non-intervention Research Designs
      Outline
      Overview
      Scientific Research
      Common Non-intervention Research Designs
      Basic Causal Comparative Design
      Causal Comparative Design Considerations
      Forming Groups
      Design Controls
      Strong Inference
      Spurious Relationships
      Correlational Research Designs
      Basic Bivariate Design
      Types of Correlation Coefficients
      Recap
      Examples of Correlational Research
      SAT
      Stroop Effect
      Descriptive Research Designs
      Survey Designs
      Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Surveys
      Critical Thinking About Longitudinal Designs
      Variations of Longitudinal Designs
      Combining Longitudinal and Correlational Designs: Hybrids
      Historical Research
      Summary
      Key Terms
      Application Exercises
      Student Study Site
      Contents note continued: References
      12. Qualitative Data, Analysis, and Design
      Outline
      Overview
      Qualitative Inquiry and Basic Principles
      Qualitative Data
      Worldview
      General Approaches
      Qualitative Metaphor
      Text as Data: Basic Strategies
      Recap: The Qualitative Challenge
      Coding
      Relational Strategies
      Hierarchy
      Typology
      Networks
      Tables and Cross Tabulations
      Inseparable Data Collection and Analysis
      Emergent Methodology
      Reliability and Validity: Trustworthiness
      Credibility
      Pattern Matching
      Research Designs
      Case Study
      Phenomenology
      Ethnography
      Narrative
      Mixed Methods
      Qualitative Research in the Literature
      Classroom Climate
      Art of Teaching
      Minority Teachers
      Learning Disability Coping Strategies
      Dyslexia
      Parental Involvement
      Detracking
      Immigrant Newcomers
      Scaffolding
      Data Analysis Software
      Summary
      Key Terms
      Application Exercises
      Student Study Site
      References
      13. Statistical Data Analysis
      Outline
      Overview
      Statistical Inference: An Introduction
      Coin Flips and Probability
      Reading Faces
      Null Hypothesis
      p Value Determination
      Mean Differences
      Standard Error of Mean Differences
      Recap: The Null Hypothesis
      Correlation Coefficients
      Common Statistical Tests
      t Test
      F Test
      Test for r
      Chi-Square Test
      Parametric Versus Nonparametric Tests
      Statistical Errors
      Type I
      Type II
      Accuracy of p
      Importance of Power
      Quantitative Data Analysis in a Published Report
      Data Analysis Software
      Summary
      Key Terms
      Application Exercises
      Student Study Site
      References
      pt. V CONSUMER TO PRODUCER
      14. Research Analysis and Critique
      Outline
      Overview
      What Is Research Analysis?
      First Reading: The Big Picture
      Purpose in Context
      Methodology
      Conclusions Tied to Findings
      Second Reading: The Important Details
      Guidelines for Research Analysis
      Research Analysis: An Example
      What Is a Research Critique?
      Guidelines for Critiques
      Purpose
      Overall Reaction
      Methodological Issues
      Weaknesses and Strengths
      Instrumentation
      Generalization
      Alternative Explanations
      Overall Recommendations
      Award-Winning Research
      Small-Class Effects
      Literacy and Student-Led Groups
      Classroom Management
      Outstanding Dissertations
      Research Analyses and Critiques Take Practice
      Good Research Analyses and Critiques Take More Practice
      First Reading Revisited: The Big Picture
      Purpose
      Purpose in Context
      Methodology
      Findings
      Conclusions Tied to Findings
      Second Reading Revisited: The Important Details
      Brief Critique
      Summary
      Key Terms
      Application Exercises
      Student Study Site
      References
      15. Writing Research Proposals
      Outline
      Overview
      Research Proposals
      Components of Research Proposals
      Introduction
      Brief Literature Review
      Methodology
      Research Design
      Procedures
      Analysis of Data
      Planned Discussion
      References
      Appendix
      Writing Style: Clear, Concise, Organized
      Organizing Frameworks
      Research Proposal Ideas
      Criteria for Evaluating Research Proposals
      Summary
      Key Terms
      Application Exercises
      Student Study Site
      References.
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