Introduction to Educational Research

by Craig A. Mertler

Overview

With balanced coverage of qualitative and quantitative methods and an emphasis on ethics, Introduction to Educational Research guides readers through the steps of the research process to help them plan and execute research projects in educational settings. Comprehensive and student-friendly, the Fourth Edition maintains a conversational and approachable tone to help students understand and apply research concepts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781071903155
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	12/20/2024
Edition description:	Fourth Edition
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Craig A. Mertler is currently an Associate Professor of Action Research and Quantitative Methods at Barry University in Miami, Florida. He began his career as a high school biology teacher. He has been an educator for 39 years—29 of those in higher education at Bowling Green State University, the University of West Georgia, Lynn University, Arizona State University, and Barry University, and 12 years as an administrator (department chair, doctoral program director, and education dean). Over his career, he has taught courses focused on the application of action research to promote educator empowerment, school improvement, and job-embedded professional development, as well as classroom assessment, research methods, and statistical analyses.

He has served as the research methodology expert and/or chair on more than 140 doctoral dissertations and master’s theses. He is the author of 30 books, 9 invited book chapters, and 25 refereed journal articles. He has also presented more than 40 research papers at professional meetings around the country, as well as internationally.

He conducts workshops for in-service educational professionals (at all levels) on classroom-based action research and on the topics of classroom assessment and assessment literacy, as well as data-driven educational decision making. His primary research and consulting interests include classroom-based action research, data-driven educational decision making, professional learning communities, and classroom teachers’ assessment literacy. In his leisure time, he enjoys traveling with his family to the beach and sometimes writing a little fiction. Dr. Mertler can be reached at [e-mail] for consulting, professional development, and speaking engagements. Additionally, you can visit his website at www.craigmertler.com.

Table of Contents

Part I • Initial Research Considerations
Chapter 1 • What Is Educational Research?
Chapter 2 • Overview of the Educational Research Process
Chapter 3 • Identifying a Research Problem
Chapter 4 • Ethics in Educational Research
Chapter 5 • Reviewing Related Research Literature
Part II • Designing a Research Study
Chapter 6 • Qualitative Research Methods
Chapter 7 • Quantitative Research Methods
Chapter 8 • Mixed-Methods Research
Chapter 9 • Action Research
Chapter 10 • Writing a Research Proposal
Part III • Collecting and Analyzing Data
Chapter 11 • Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis
Chapter 12 • Quantitative Data Collection
Chapter 13 • Quantitative Data Analysis
Part IV • The Research Report
Chapter 14 • Writing a Final Research Report
Appendix A: Should I Stay or Should I Go? Understanding Teacher Motivation, Job Satisfaction, and Perceptions of Retention among Arizona Teachers
Appendix B: “It Is Who We Are. We Are Undocumented”: The Narrative of Two Undocumented Latino Male Students Attending a Community College
Appendix C: Dialogic Reading: Language and Preliteracy Outcomes for Young Children With Disabilities
Glossary
References

Editorial Reviews

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

Robert Ceglie

A foundational text for educational researchers.

Jeffrey Hunt

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

Mertler synthesizes a wealth of research methodology in one, eminently usable textbook. Designed for the beginning educational researcher, he covers all aspects of the research process and addresses a wide range of research methodologies: Quantitative, Qualitative, Mixed-Methods, and Action Research. Written with as little jargon as possible, he dots each chapter with figures and tables that expand and extend the written text. From preparing to conduct a study through sampling, data collection and analysis, and interpretation, Mertler succinctly covers many aspects of the research process. His well-written study at the end of the book serves as a model for much of the material covered in previous chapters. This textbook will become a staple for beginning educational research courses for many years to come!

Patricia A. St John

A well-written, student focused introduction to education research text that is a great primer for helping students get ready to run their first study.

Samuel Sennott

Craig A. Mertler gives educators a practical look into the sometimes overwhelming practice of research. He constructs each chapter using an easy to understand tone, as well as offering reflective activities to provide deeper meaning and reflection on one’s own practice.

Kimberly Silbaugh

Comprehensive introductory text to educational research that provides students with practical and thorough information on how to be research producers and consumers.

Maryann Dudzinski