Are you about to start your dissertation in education? Not sure what methods to use? Providing you with an invaluable starting point, this book gives practical information about a variety of research methods, including their pros and cons, things you need to consider before using each method and crucially, what they are not suitable for. It looks at the most commonly used methods as well as some you might not have come across before. Each chapter features examples and activities, and will help you answer these questions: - What can this method tell me? - When might I use it? - What ethical issues do I need to consider? - What is the key terminology I need to know? - How can I design a dissertation project with this method? - How do I analyse my data? - What is this method not suitable for? Written in uncomplicated language, it is a student-friendly resource to dip into, with links to further reading for more in-depth exploration of any particular method.

The first edition of The Action Research Dissertation: A Guide for Students and Faculty was a first-of-its-kind reference, distilling the authors’ decades of action research experience into a handy guide for graduate students. The Second Edition continues to provide an accessible roadmap that honors the complexity of action research, while providing an overview of how action research is defined, its traditions and history, and the rationale for using it. Authors Kathryn Herr and Gary L. Anderson demonstrate that action research is not only appropriate for a dissertation, but also is a deeply rewarding experience for both the researcher and participants. This practical book demonstrates how action research dissertations are different from more traditional dissertations and prepares students and their committees for the unique dilemmas they may face, such as validity, positionality, design, write-up, ethics, and dissertation defense.

A doctoral dissertation is arguably the most important journey that students will embark upon in their professional careers, so smart travelers will want E. Alana James and Tracesea H. Slater’s Writing Your Doctoral Dissertation or Thesis Faster: A Proven Map to Success at their fingertips. James and Slater identify the key places and challenges that create extra stress during the dissertation process, and offer effective strategies and tools to address those challenges and ensure academic success. Their map walks readers through each step of the process, including: • determining the research topic, • choosing appropriate methods, • turning a hypothesis into a study, • completing a literature review, • writing and defending a proposal, • collecting and analyzing data, • writing up the study, and • ultimately defending the dissertation. Building on years of experience with doctoral students, the authors provide a comprehensive, yet easy-to-use tool that encourages student reflection; includes student stories, hints, and writing tips; and provides end-of-chapter checklists and ideas for incorporating social media. With the proven techniques and guidance of this indispensable book, doctoral students will finish their thesis or dissertation—faster!

Based on Keith Punch’s bestselling Introduction to Social Research Methods, this book introduces the research process in a range of educational contexts. In this updated second edition, you’ll find guidance on every stage of research, with chapters on developing research questions, doing a literature review, collecting data, analysing your findings and writing it all up. With a new chapter on ethics and additional coverage of Internet research and mixing methods, the second edition contains everything you’ll need if you’re studying on a research methods course or doing a research project for yourself. Introduction to Research Methods in Education provides you with: Balanced coverage of the range of methods employed by educational researchers Practical advice on collecting and analysing qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods data A range of examples from student projects to show how research is done in real-life educational settings A companion website with additional resources for lecturers and students. Keith F Punch is Emeritus Professor in the Graduate School of Education at The University of Western Australia. Alis Oancea is Professor of Philosophy of Education and Research Policy, as well as Director of Research at the University of Oxford, Department of Education.

This comprehensive manual offers direction for every step of the thesis or dissertation process, from choosing an appropriate topic to adapting the finished work for publication.

Are you about to start your dissertation in education? Not sure what methods to use? Providing you with an invaluable starting point, this book gives practical information about a variety of research methods, including their pros and cons, things you need to consider before using each method and crucially, what they are not suitable for. It looks at the most commonly used methods as well as some you might not have come across before. Each chapter features examples and activities, and will help you answer these questions: - What can this method tell me? - When might I use it? - What ethical issues do I need to consider? - What is the key terminology I need to know? - How can I design a dissertation project with this method? - How do I analyse my data? - What is this method not suitable for? Written in uncomplicated language, it is a student-friendly resource to dip into, with links to further reading for more in-depth exploration of any particular method.

This textbook provides readers with a blend of practical and theoretical information, using real-world examples and illustrations to help users grasp abstract ideas and apply them to their research.

The Second Edition of An Applied Guide to Research Designs offers researchers in the social and behavioral sciences guidance for selecting the most appropriate research design to apply in their study. Using consistent terminology, the authors visually present a range of research designs used in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods to help readers conceptualize, construct, test, and problem solve in their investigation. The Second Edition features revamped and expanded coverage of research designs, new real-world examples and references, a new chapter on action research, and updated ancillaries.

This book is not a technical manual to help doctoral students through the minutiae of conducting in-depth qualitative or quantitative research. Instead, this how-to manual will focus on the practical aspects of writing and organizing a dissertation, in particular, the psychological and social hurdles that are involved. The author uses a conversational and encouraging tone along with plenty of graphics, quotes, illustrations, and sample forms to guide doctoral students through the process of preparing, writing, and defending their dissertations. Features } checklists, organizing graphics, in-depth list of resources for further inquiry, quotations, illustrations, and other user-friendly elements } full of easily accessible, practical advice that is administered in small bites. } conversational, warm, and personal writing style unique to this genre.

Whether looking for guidance on the whole process, needing help with conducting a literature review or interpreting your quantitative and qualitative data, this accessible and empowering guide will take you through the dissertation process and provide all the information you need to make the most of your research project. This edition includes: - new discussions on critical analysis and the use of internet and social media research data - an expanded chapter on quantitative method and a new section on mixed methods research - case studies from a broader range of education and early childhood settings, both formal and informal - an extended range of types of data analysis discussed - updated references and recommended reading suggestions throughout, reflecting changes in legislation - a glossary of key terms - new end-of-chapter reflective tasks - a new companion website providing all checklists and templates in the book as downloadable resources as well as new mind mapping templates, a supervisor record form, sample ethics form, sample letters to research settings, a pre-submission final checklist, research proposal examples and guidance on setting out tables, figures, appendices and managing your endnotes and reference list Successful Dissertations is the essential guide for all undergraduate researchers starting a dissertation project in an Education department.