Essentials of Research Methods in Education

by Scott Buckler, Harriett Moore

Overview

A comprehensive undergraduate textbook on research methods in education combining a broad overview of principles and practice with practical guidance to support your own educational research projects.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781529791136
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	05/23/2023
Pages:	440
Product dimensions:	7.32(w) x 9.13(h) x (d)

About the Author

Scott Buckler has been involved in education since the 1990s, fluctuating between primary teaching, secondary teaching (science, computing, psychology), and universities (education, sport, psychology). From teaching research methods across the expanse of education (from the primary years through to doctorates), Scott has been an advocate of high quality research, through facilitating an open mind while maintaining academic integrity.

His research has encompassed many areas, often with the theme of personal and professional growth, through the lens of transpersonal psychology. His Ph D thesis was interdisciplinary, combining anthropology and psychology to explore the way that the martial arts lead to personal transformation. Professionally, Scott’s research is predominantly in applied educational psychology, inclusive education, and research methods.

Scott is a Chartered Teacher and Chartered Psychologist.

Harriett Moore has a varied background within the field of both education and research. She studied animal behaviour at University College Chester (a college of Liverpool University) where she engaged with a wide selection of research methodologies, from observational approaches to applied research in a range of contexts. Her skills have transferred effectively into analysing human behaviour.

Harriett has been involved with education since the mid-2000s as a secondary teacher, IT Operations Manager, among other roles. Throughout her career, Harriett has engaged with applied research to help facilitate change and to inform a variety of audiences, continually challenging perspectives in the limitations of what people think is possible, and what can actually be achieved.

Harriett currently manages the school’s Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and is a firm believer that education is much more than classroom based learning, rather requiring a “whole-person centred” approach. Her current research projects include teacher wellbeing, martial arts within the school setting, and student/staff perceptions on elearning.

Table of Contents

PART I Introduction to educational research
Ch1 Introduction
Ch2 Research perspectives and applied philosophy
Ch3 The importance of the sociocultural context
Ch4 The research process from start to finish
PART II Establishing and defining your research focus
Ch5 Identifying an appropriate research project
Ch6 The importance of ethics
Ch7 The literature review
Ch8 Different research designs
PART III Data collection methods and analysis
Ch9 Quantitative data collection methods
Ch10 Quantitative data analysis and presentation of findings
Ch11 Qualitative data collection methods
Ch12 Qualitative data analysis and presentation of findings
Ch13 Mixed methodologies and mixed approaches
PART IV Engaging with your own research
Ch14 Conducting and completing your research project
Ch15 Taking your research project further: presentation and publication

Editorial Reviews

"I have recently read this book and used it extensively to support my Research Modules for my Masters level study. It was recommended as part of my course and is definitely worth taking the time to digest it! The way the book is written is engaging and supportive and is also sequenced in a way that helps when writing.

The book has really helped me with my research project for my MA education and will definitely be my “go to guide” moving forward!"

Gary

This text provides an accessible, detailed, practical, and holistic exploration of research methods in education. It furnishes the reader with a clear account of the philosophical and socio-cultural foundations of research whilst also providing helpful insights into the journey from research design to dissemination of findings. This will be an invaluable resource for both student researchers and others involved in the field of educational research.

Stephen Griffin

This book is very accessible for researchers at all levels and skills. The thorough way in which the authors have approached the challenges of Research Methods will support the development of all projects. It is an essential read.

Pinky Jain

This is the text that students have been waiting for. It is comprehensive, reader friendly, and interdisciplinary. The authors frame research as a quest for the truth, and provide specific stages and procedures to assist this search.

Professor Stanley Krippner

′This book deals honestly and clearly with the myriad of ideas that students come across when they begin educational research. It is a ′dip in′ book in which students can clarify the concepts they come across in other books and in lectures. Recommended to everyone from undergraduate to doctoral level.′

--Dennis Hayes, PhD

This book is written by authors well versed in the challenges of research and it shows the moment you start to read it. The text is clear and to the point with some nice touches of humour. Layout is extremely clear making the book easy to follow and to dip into, and has very useful sections such as "lessons learned the hard way" in each chapter. It also manages to share the energy and enthusiasm for research and its transformational ability.

The "Holy Grail" of textbooks on educational research is one which combines a clear relatively simple approach which will not frighten beginners and yet which offers the depth and detail required by so much research. Here Scott and Harriett have come very close to reaching that "Holy Grail" status with this book. It is an excellent, clear introduction to research which avoids some of the stodginess of older texts, yet provides the necessary depth and detail which students need.--David Flint

This book provides a richly comprehensive guide to conducting educational research. The reader is supported in building a deep understanding that offers greater insight and avoids the 'myth and mystery' so often associated with the research process. Throughout, an illustrative quest allegory entertains and enlightens the reader without distracting from the rigour of the central purpose. For more experienced researchers Buckler & Moore succeed in making the familiar strange. Thoroughly recommended.

--Dame Alison Peacock

This is the text that students have been waiting for. It is comprehensive, reader friendly, and interdisciplinary. The authors frame research as a quest for the truth, and provide specific stages and procedures to assist this search.

--Professor Stanley Krippner, PhD

Buckler and Moore have written a highly accessible book on educational research methods. On reading the book, I felt like I was being taken on a journey of discovery in the hands of friendly, knowledgeable, and trustworthy guides. The book is exceptional in raising contemporary issues in depth whilst never leaving the reader adrift among complex details. Those embarking on research will be well rewarded by engaging with the challenges the authors set and following their guidelines for approaching their own research questions effectively.--Les Lancaster, PhD

Education research methods can be scary and confusing. This useful text looks set to provide a focused yet very accessible introduction - providing useable practical guidance while also addressing the complexity. It should be an asset for both academics and practitioner researchers.--Professor Samantha Twisleton, PhD, OBE

Honest, informed and practical, Essentials of Research Methods in Education lives up to the promise of its title; offering the reader the essentials of educational enquiry. Beginning with a timely reminder that Education and research are fundamentally inseparable, the authors offer a fulsome and engaging tour of the field, highlighting the controversies, possibilities and satisfaction in undertaking educational research for meaningful change. While conscious of not simply adding to an already crowded field of research literature, Buckler and Moore offer a refreshingly contemporary angle on doing educational research, making this a distinctively important addition to the literature of the intending educational researcher at any level of study.--Dave Trotman, PhD

This book is very accessible for researchers at all levels and skills. The thorough way in which the authors have approached the challenges of Research Methods will support the development of all projects. It is an essential read.--Pinky Jain, PhD

This text provides an accessible, detailed, practical, and holistic exploration of research methods in education. It furnishes the reader with a clear account of the philosophical and socio-cultural foundations of research whilst also providing helpful insights into the journey from research design to dissemination of findings. This will be an invaluable resource for both student researchers and others involved in the field of educational research.--Stephen Griffin, Ed.D.

From the Publisher

This book is written by authors well versed in the challenges of research and it shows the moment you start to read it. The text is clear and to the point with some nice touches of humour. Layout is extremely clear making the book easy to follow and to dip into, and has very useful sections such as “lessons learned the hard way” in each chapter. It also manages to share the energy and enthusiasm for research and its transformational ability.

The “Holy Grail” of textbooks on educational research is one which combines a clear relatively simple approach which will not frighten beginners and yet which offers the depth and detail required by so much research. Here Scott and Harriett have come very close to reaching that “Holy Grail” status with this book. It is an excellent, clear introduction to research which avoids some of the stodginess of older texts, yet provides the necessary depth and detail which students need.

David Flint

'This book deals honestly and clearly with the myriad of ideas that students come across when they begin educational research. It is a 'dip in' book in which students can clarify the concepts they come across in other books and in lectures. Recommended to everyone from undergraduate to doctoral level.'

Dennis Hayes

Education research methods can be scary and confusing. This useful text looks set to provide a focused yet very accessible introduction – providing useable practical guidance while also addressing the complexity. It should be an asset for both academics and practitioner researchers.

Professor Samantha Twisleton

This book provides a richly comprehensive guide to conducting educational research. The reader is supported in building a deep understanding that offers greater insight and avoids the ‘myth and mystery’ so often associated with the research process. Throughout, an illustrative quest allegory entertains and enlightens the reader without distracting from the rigour of the central purpose. For more experienced researchers Buckler & Moore succeed in making the familiar strange. Thoroughly recommended.

Dame Alison Peacock

Honest, informed and practical, Essentials of Research Methods in Education lives up to the promise of its title; offering the reader the essentials of educational enquiry. Beginning with a timely reminder that Education and research are fundamentally inseparable, the authors offer a fulsome and engaging tour of the field, highlighting the controversies, possibilities and satisfaction in undertaking educational research for meaningful change. While conscious of not simply adding to an already crowded field of research literature, Buckler and Moore offer a refreshingly contemporary angle on doing educational research, making this a distinctively important addition to the literature of the intending educational researcher at any level of study.

Dave Trotman

Buckler and Moore have written a highly accessible book on educational research methods. On reading the book, I felt like I was being taken on a journey of discovery in the hands of friendly, knowledgeable, and trustworthy guides. The book is exceptional in raising contemporary issues in depth whilst never leaving the reader adrift among complex details. Those embarking on research will be well rewarded by engaging with the challenges the authors set and following their guidelines for approaching their own research questions effectively.

Les Lancaster