An applied reference guide to research designs : quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods

This reference book visually presents, with consistent terminology, quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research designs in education and the social and behavioural sciences in a way that students and researchers can readily understand and accurately apply in their own investigations.

The book improves one′s ability to conceptualize, construct, test, problem solve and acquire knowledge, all of which are characteristics of scientific inquiry and the creative process required when conducting research. It covers the most practical and common research designs currently used in educational and the social and behavioural sciences.

• List of Tables, Figures, and Diagrams p. xii
• Foreword p. xv Paul E. Spector
• Preface p. xviii
• Acknowledgments p. xxiii
• About the Authors p. xxiv
• 1 The Scientific Method and Relevant Components p. 1
• Validity and Research Designs p. 3
• Internal Validity p. 4
• External Validity p. 4
• Construct Validity p. 6
• Statistical Conclusion Validity p. 6
• Design Logic p. 9
• Control p. 10
• Design Notations p. 11
• Assignment Techniques p. 12
• Comparison and Control Groups p. 14
• Sampling Strategies p. 15
• Probability Sampling Techniques p. 16
• Nonprobability Sampling Techniques p. 16
• Part I Quantitative Methods For Experimental And Quasi-Experimental Research p. 19
• 2 Between-Subjects Approach p. 24
• Pretest and Posttest Designs p. 24
• k-Factor Designs p. 25
• Posttest Designs p. 32
• 3 Regression-Discontinuity Approach p. 39
• 4 Within-Subjects Approach p. 44
• Repeated-Measures Approach p. 45
• 5 Factorial Designs p. 58
• 6 Solomon N-Group Design p. 74
• 7 Single-Case Approach p. 83
• Part II Quantitative Methods For Nonexperimental Research p. 95
• 8 Ex Post Facto and Posttest-Only Designs p. 98
• 9 Observational Approach p. 102
• Explanatory Design p. 103
• Predictive Design p. 103
• 10 Survey Approach p. 107
• Cross-Sectional Design p. 108
• Longitudinal Design p. 108
• Part III Qualitative Methods p. 111
• 11 Grounded Theory Approach115
• Systematic Design p. 116
• Emerging Design p. 116
• Constructivist Design p. 116
• When to Use Grounded Theory p. 116
• 12 Ethnographic Approach p. 122
• Realist Design p. 122
• Critical Design p. 123
• Case Study Design p. 123
• When to Use Ethnography p. 124
• 13 Narrative Approach p. 129
• Descriptive Design p. 130
• Explanatory Design p. 130
• Critical Design p. 130
• When to Use Narrative Inquiry p. 131
• 14 PhenomenologicalApproach p. 136
• Existential Design p. 136
• Transcendental Design p. 137
• Hermeneutic Design p. 137
• Case Study Design p. 137
• When to Use Phenomenology p. 138
• Part IV Mixed Methods p. 145
• 15 Convergent-Parallel Approach p. 149
• Parallel-Databases Design p. 150
• Data-Transformation Design p. 150
• Data-Validauon Design p. 150
• Multilevel Design p. 150
• 16 Embedded Approach p. 157
• Embedded-Experiment Design p. 158
• Embedded-Correlational Design p. 158
• Embedded Case Study Design p. 158
• 17 Explanatory-Sequential Approach p. 163
• Follow-Up Explanations Design p. 164
• Participant-Selection Design p. 164
• 18 Exploratory-Sequential Approach p. 167
• Instrument-Development Design p. 168
• Theory-Development Design p. 168
• Treatment-Development Design p. 168
• 19 Mixed Methods, Case Studies, and Single-Case Approaches p. 173
• Mixed-Method A-B-A Designs p. 174
• 20 Conclusion p. 177
• Research Questions p. 177
• Evaluation Approaches p. 178
• Philosophical Tenets p. 179
• Data Analytics p. 180
• Final Remarks p. 180
• Appendix A Less Common Designs for Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research p. 182
• Appendix B Types of Case Study Designs p. 188
• Appendix C Five Types of Mixed Methods Designs p. 190
• References p. 191
• Author Index p. 202
• Subject Index p. 206