2nd Edition

Research and Education An Introduction to Methods, Approaches and Processes

    222 Pages
    by Routledge

    222 Pages
    by Routledge

    This core text, now in its second edition, provides an easy-to-read, comprehensive introduction to educational research that will develop your understanding of research strategies, theories and methods, giving you the confidence and enthusiasm to discuss and write about your research effectively.

    Specifically written for undergraduate education studies students, the book guides you through the process of planning a research project, the different research methods available and how to carry out your research and write it up successfully. Highlighting the theoretical and methodological debates and discussing important ethical and practical considerations, the book is structured to help you tackle all the different aspects of your project from writing your literature review, designing a questionnaire and analysing your data to the final writing up. This new edition is updated throughout with activities, case studies and further reading lists.

    New chapters include:

    • Mixed-methods research
    • Narrative inquiry
    • Creative and visual research methods
    • Extended chapter on research with children and vulnerable groups

    Part of the Foundations of Education Studies series, this timely new edition is essential reading for students undertaking a research methods course or a piece of educational research.

    Introduction

    1. Approaches to educational research

    Part I: Planning an education research project        

    2. Choosing a topic and writing a proposal 

    3. Reviewing the literature

    4. Sampling

    5. Data analysis

    6. Writing up your research project  

    Part II: Research strategies        

    7. Surveys

    8. Mixed-methods research

    9. Case studies

    10. Ethnography

    11. Action research

    12. Narrative inquiry

    Part III: Methods of data collection      

    13. Questionnaires        

    14. Interviews and focus groups

    15. Observations

    16. Documents   

    17. Creative and visual research methods    

    Part IV: Theorising research      

    18. Using theories and concepts in educational research  

    19. Evaluating methods

    20. Ethical issues in educational research    

    21. Research with children and vulnerable groups

    Biography

    Sam Shields is Senior Lecturer in Education at Newcastle University, UK.

    Alina Schartner is Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics at Newcastle University, UK.

    Will Curtis is Professor and Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education, Quality and Standards) at the University of Warwick, UK.

    Mark Murphy is Reader in Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Glasgow, UK.