PrefaceAcknowledgmentsContentsA Eulogy to DiversityAn Introduction to Research Why Bother? What Is Research? Research Terminology Approach Taken in This Book Major Paradigms in Research: A Brief History of Research The Politics of Acceptance: The Objectivity Debate Politics, Legislation and the Paradigms Ethics in Research Merging Paradigms Questions and Activities for Discussion and ApplicationEvaluation Defining Evaluation History and Current Models of Evaluation Steps in Conducting Evaluations Standards for Critically Evaluating Evaluations Questions for Critically Analyzing Evaluation Studies Questions and Activities for Discussion and Application Literature Review and Research Problems Major Reasons for Doing Literature Reviews The Search Process Questions for Critically Analyzing Literature Reviews Questions and Activities for Discussion and ApplicationExperimental and Quasi-Experimental Research Single-Group, Experimental, and Quasi-Experimental Designs Research Designs Challenges to Using Experimental Designs in Educational and Psychological Research Questions for Critically Analyzing Single-Group, Experimental, and Quasi-Experimental Designs Questions and Activities for Discussion and Application Causal Comparative and Correlational Research Types of Variables Causal Comparative Research Correlational Research Questions for Critically Analyzing Causal Comparative and Correlational Research Questions and Activities for Discussion and Application Survey Research Design Phase Data Collection Choices Feminist Perspectives Disability Perspectives Sampling Plan Designing the Questionnaire Formatting the Questionnaire Pilot Test the Questionnaire Language Differences Between the Researcher and the Respondent Special Types of Questions Letter of Transmittal Conducting the Survey Response Rate Considerations Notes Specific to Phone Interviews Notes Specific to Personal Interviews Transformative Perspectives on Interviewing Notes Specific to Web Based Surveys Data Analysis With Survey Research Questions for Critically Analyzing Survey Research Questions and Activities for Discussion and ApplicationSingle-Case Research Quality Issues With Single-Case Research Design Options Data Analysis in Single-Case Research Questions for Critically Analyzing Single-Case Research Questions and Activities for Discussion and ApplicationQualitative Methods Basis for Selection of Qualitative Methods Strategies for Qualitative Research General Methodological Guidelines Critically Analyzing Qualitative Research Questions for Critically Analyzing Qualitative Research Questions and Activities for Discussion and ApplicationHistory and Narrative Study of Lives Importance of Historical and Narrative Research Types of Historical and Narrative Research Steps in Conducting Historical-Narrative Research Special Notes on Biographical Research Special Notes on Autobiographical/Self-Study Research Questions for Critically Analyzing Historical-Narrative Research Questions and Activities for Discussion and ApplicationMixed methods and mixed model designs Definition and characteristics Importance in educational and psychological research Philosophical assumptions: Pragmatism, mixing paradigms, and transformation Mixed methods/models design options Critically analyzing mixed methods research Questions and activities for discussion and applicationSampling: Definition, Selection, and Ethics Sampling Strategies: Alternative Paradigms External Validity (Generalizability) or Transferability Defining the Population and Sample Identification of Sample Members Sampling Strategies Sampling Bias Access Issues Access to Records Sample Size Ethics and Protection of Study Participants Questions for Critically Analyzing Sampling Strategies Questions and Activities for Discussion and ApplicationData Collection Operationalizing Concepts Standards for Judging Quality of Data Collection Quantitative Measurement Topics Selection and Development of Quantitative Instruments Developing a Data Collection Instrument Qualitative Data Collection Methods Questions for Critically Analyzing Data Collection Activities and Questions for Discussion and Application Data Analysis, Interpretation, and Reporting Quantitative Analysis Strategies Special Application: Statistical Synthesis as Literature Review Qualitative Analytic Strategies A Research Plan: The Management Plan and Budget Writing Research Reports Utilization of the Research Results Questions for Critically Analyzing Data Analysis and Interpretation Questions and Activities for Discussion and Application Appendix: Writing the Research Proposal Getting the Research Idea Research Abstract Formal Research Proposal Proposal Considerations Recommended Proposal Document Format Sequencing Layout of Proposal ReferencesAuthor Index Subject IndexAbout the Author.