Types of Educational Research and Data Sources

1. Introduction to Educational Research (5th ed.) Craig A. Mertler & C.M. Charles Chapter 2 Types of Educational Research & Corresponding Sources of Data

2. Variables and Educational Research • Research helps us understand variables and relationships among them • Variables versus constants • Ways of classifying variables: • Continuous and discrete variables • Independent and dependent variables • Confounding variables: • Intervening—unobservable traits • Organismic—permanent physical traits • Extraneous—temporary • Controlled—those whose effects have been accounted for

3. Types of Educational Research • Can be organized by (1) practicality, (2) methodology employed, or (3) type of research question • Research categorized by PRACTICALITY: • Basic research—theory-based • Applied research—conducted to solve immediate problems • Research categorized by METHODOLOGY: • Qualitative vs. quantitative research—address specific type of data generated • Experimental vs. nonexperimental research— describing cause-effect relationships or describing current status, respectively • Studies classified using one of each pairs of descriptors

4. Types of Educational Research (cont’d.) • Research categorized by RESEARCH QUESTION: • Ethnographic—explains social behavior; nonexperimental; qualitative • Historical—explores conditions, events of the past; nonexperimental; qualitative/quantitative/both • Descriptive—describes current status; nonexperimental; qualitative/quantitative/both • Correlational—explores degree of relationship between two or more variables; nonexperimental; quantitative

5. Types of Educational Research (cont’d.) • Action—to improve conditions in a particular setting without generalizing; experimental/nonexperimental; qualitative/quantitative/both • Evaluation—conducted to make judgments about programs, etc.; experimental/nonexperimental; qualitative/quantitative/both • Causal-comparative—examines influence of pre-existing condition (IV) on an outcome variable (DV); nonexperimental; quantitative • Experimental—examines effect of a cause (IV, through manipulation) on an effect (DV); experimental; quantitative

6. Sources of Research Data • Data—information collected on people, settings, objects, etc. • Primary sources—firsthand information; accurate • Secondary sources—interpretations of primary data; subject to error • Meta-analytical data—analysis of several existing studies • Specific sources of data: • Participants • Procedures • Settings • Objects • Records • Documents • Informants

7. Procedures Used in Collecting Data • Verbal description • Notation • Recording • Analysis • Questioning • Surveys • Interviews • Testing • Measurement

8. Qualities Required in Research Data • Authenticity and believability—informal, unstructured assessments • External criticism—determining whether or not data comes from legitimate sources (authentic); purely judgmental • Internal criticism—examination of data accuracy and lack of bias (believable) • Validity and reliability—formal, structured assessments • Validity - determining whether or not data deal directly with topic • Reliability—determining whether or not data are consistent

9. Participants, Samples, & Populations Data is collected from Participants who are members of Samples in order to learn about Populations

10. Applying Technology… Dr. William Trochim's Research Methods Knowledge Base electronic textbook (http://trochim.human.cornell.edu/kb)