GSEM200 Course Guide: Home

This comprehensive textbook encourages the reader to contextualise their understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods by drawing links between the research question and its theoretical framework with the choice of the quantitative/qualitative methodology and analyses. It encourages a theoretical appreciation of the field of inquiry and to balance the emphasis on methods with reviewing the literature and understanding the wider context of research. Each chapter contains user-friendly features, such as: key terms, summaries, case studies, examples and suggested further reading. Exercises are suggested throughout the text, encouraging the reader to look at easily accessible data sets and use prompts to formulate research questions and produce a mini study. A companion website supports the text, providing easy access to supporting material, including revision questions and an annotated list of useful websites. This text will be invaluable reading for students on Research Methods in Education MA programmes, as well as those embarking upon their PhD, EdD or MPhil in education. Research fellows and other educational researchers will also find this book a useful resource.

This second edition of Dr Bram Oppenheim's established work, like the first, is a practical teaching text of survey methods. The new edition has extended its scope to include interviewing (both clip-board and depth interviewing), sampling and research design, data analysis, and a special chapter on pilot work. As before, the chapters on questionnaire design are supported by further chapters on attitude scaling methods, and on projective techniques. There is refreshingly critical treatment of problems such as faulty research designs, errors in sampling, ambiguities in question wording, biases in interviewing, losses of information, and the interpretation of attitude scales and of projective data. The book is laced throughout with instructive examples from many fields, ranging from marketing surveys to the study of children's political perceptions. Problems of reliability and validity are kept to the fore. Above all, the need for pilot work is emphasized at every stage. The book is intended for graduate methodology courses in the social sciences, but it is also designed to reach other professionals, including teachers, social workers, medical researchers, and opinion pollsters, who have to evaluate or carry out social surveys.

Presents the basics of research in the social and behavioral sciences in an informative and student-friendly way.    Salkind's Exploring Research, 8th edition makes research methods accessible for students.   Exploring Research provides an introduction to research methods through a friendly, approachable writing style. Salkind describes how to collect and analyze data and provides thorough instruction on how to prepare and write a research proposal and manuscript.  The text explores the use of electronic sources (the Internet) as a means to enhance research skills and includes discussions about scientific methods.  The most common types of research models in the social and behavioral sciences are incorporated, including qualitative methods. Salkind covers the research process, problem selection, sampling and generalizability, as well as a discussion of the measurement process .     Teaching & Learning Experience Personalize Learning - MySearchLab delivers proven results in helping students succeed, provides engaging experiences that personalize learning, and comes from a trusted partner with educational expertise and a deep commitment to helping students and instructors achieve their goals. Improve Critical Thinking -- "What You'll Learn about in This Chapter" helps students organize and understand the material to be covered within the chapter.  "Exercises" and "Test Yourself" sections challenge students think about and discuss chapter topics and improve their problem-solving skills. Resources in the text and online help students master the process of writing a research paper. Engage Students -- Chapter objectives, chapter quizzes, Lab Manual, and eText within MySearchLab help to engage students in the material. Explore Research -- Discussions of the research process, problem selection, sampling and generalizability, and the measurement process make research exploration accessible to students.  A lab manual is included in MySearchLab to help engage students in the research process.  Support Instructors -- MyTest, PowerPoints, and an instructor's manual offer additional support for instructors. Note: MySearchLab with eText does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase MySearchLab with eText, please visit: www.mysearchlab.com or you can purchase a valuepack of the text + MySearchLab with eText (at no additional cost). VP: 9780205239924