Includes bibliographical references and index.

Understanding research. Thinking critically about research -- Critical issues in research. Fundamental issues for interpreting research -- Reliability, validity, and interobserver agreement -- Quantitative research methods. Basic statistical concepts and sampling procedures -- Experimental designs -- Causal-comparative research -- Correlational research -- Survey research methods -- Qualitative research methods. Basic understandings in qualitative research -- Data collection and designs in qualitative research -- Single-case research methods. Withdrawal and associated designs -- Multiple-baseline designs -- Additional single-case designs -- Evaluation research. Program evaluation -- Evaluating the literature -- Action research. Action research : moving from critical research consumer to researcher

This user-friendly text takes a learn-by-doing approach to exploring research design issues in education and psychology, offering evenhanded coverage of quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, and single-case designs. Readers learn the basics of different methods and steps for critically examining any study's design, data, and conclusions, using sample peer-reviewed journal articles as practice opportunities. The text is unique in featuring full chapters on survey methods, evaluation, reliability and validity, action research, and research syntheses. Table of contents: I. Understanding Research II. Critical Issues in Research * Fundamental Issues for Interpreting Research * Reliability, Validity, and Interobserver Agreement III. Quantitative Research Methods * Basic Statistical Concepts and Sampling Procedures * Experimental Designs * Causal-Comparative Research * Correlational Research * Survey Research Methods IV. Qualitative research methods * Basic Understandings in Qualitative Research * Data Collection and Designs in Qualitative Research V. Single-case research methods * Withdrawal and Associated Designs * Multiple-Baseline Designs * Additional Single-Case Designs VI. Evaluation research * Program Evaluation * Evaluating the Literature VII. Action research * Action Research: Moving from Critical Research Consumer to Researcher