1. Types of Educational Research & Corresponding Sources of Data
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 (