Research and Evaluation Methods in Special Education (eBook)

Donna M. Mertens (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2003
296 Seiten
SAGE Publications US (Verlag)
978-1-5063-1851-6 (ISBN)

Infos

"e;In an era when government policy emphasizes scientifically based research (No Child Left Behind), this book provides an important resource in understanding what this means."e;Diane Browder, Snyder Distinguished Professor of Special EducationUniversity of North Carolina, Charlotte"e;This is a superb book. I learned by reading it, and I found myself rethinking some of my own thinking about research on individuals with disabilities."e;James E. Ysseldyke, ProfessorUniversity of MinnesotaLearn how research can lead to improved skills and contribute to successful lives.When face-to-face with the challenge of providing special needs children with a quality education, teachers and other educators are often met with the dilemma of inadequate research on the topic, or they are uninformed that a framework for critically analyzing and conducting special education research exists. Research-based practice is a powerful tool for success, as it can inform educators and others about educational strategies that work.Research and Evaluation Methods in Special Education is intended to enable educators to design, conduct, and report research and evaluation in a way that transforms special education by addressing the needs of persons with disabilities as heterogeneous, cultural groups. This text provides practical guidance for:Planning research and evaluation Addressing the implications of legislation and program evaluation Using empirically based data for decision-making in a variety of settings Assessing additional research needs in areas such as standards-based reforms, personnel development, family involvement, and new and developing topics in special education Using quantitative research methods, including casual comparative, correlational, single case, and survey research Using qualitative methods, including identification and selection of research participants, information collection, and more This excellent resource provides an approach to research and evaluation that helps educators better understand and address the needs of students with various disabilities, including blindness, mental retardation, deafness, learning disabilities, and more.

Inhalt

Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
1. Introduction
Questions and Activities for Application and Discussion
2. Program Evaluation
Questions and Activities for Application and Discussion
3. Literature Review
Purposes of the Literature Review
Resources to Support the Literature Review
Reporting the Literature Review Method
Aggregating Information for a Literature Review
The Integrated Literature Review
Questions to Critically Analyze the Literature Review
Questions and Activities for Application and Discussion
4. Quantitative Research Methods: Questions of Impact
Philosophical Assumptions Associated With Quantitative Research
Questions and Activities for Application and Discussion
5. Other Quantitative Approaches: Casual Comparative, Correlational, Single Case, and Survey Research
Causal Comparative and Correlational Research
Questions for Critically Analyzing Causal Comparative and Correlational Research
Questions for Critically Anaylzing Single-Case Designs
Survey Research
Questions for Critically Analyzing Survey Research
Questions and Activities for Application and Discussion
6. Qualitative Methods
Definition and Characteristics of Qualitative Methods
Importance of Qualitative Methods in Special Education Research
Philosophical Assumptions and Methodological Implications in Special Education Research
Qualitative Methods and Data Collection Strategies
Critically Analyzing Qualitative Research
Questions for Critically Analyzing Qualitative Research
Questions and Activities for Application and Discussion
7. Mixed Methods and Mixed Model Designs
Definitions and Characteristics
Questions and Activities for Application and Discussion
8. Identification and Selection of Research Participants
Population and Sample Definition
Designing and Selecting Samples
Generalizability, External Validity, and Transferability
Ethics and Confidentiality
Questions for Critically Analyzing Sample Design and Implementation
Questions and Activities for Application and Discussion
9. Information Collection
The Purpose of Information Collection
Technical Adequacy of Data Collection Instruments
Selecting and Using a Measurement Device
Questions for Critically Analyzing Information Collection Strategies and Instruments
Questions and Activities for Application and Discussion
10. Data Analysis, Interpretation, and Use
Quantitative Data Anaylsis
Challenges in Analysis and Interpretation
Responses to Analysis and Interpretation Challenges
Qualitative Data Analysis and Interpretation
Reporting Research
Beyond Reporting: Using Research Results
Questions for Critically Analyzing Data Analysis and Interpretation
Questions and Activities for Discussion and Application
Appendices
1. Federal Definitions for Individuals with Disabilities
2. Data Sources from Extant Data Bases
3. Definitions of Statistical Terms
4. Funding Resources
5. Proposal Outline
References
Index

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 10.9.2003
• Verlagsort: Thousand Oaks
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Schulbuch / Wörterbuch ► Lernhilfen
• Themenwelt: Sozialwissenschaften ► Pädagogik ► Sonder-, Heil- und Förderpädagogik
• Schlagworte: Data Analysis • exceptional • higher education • Mixed Methods • qualitative • Quantitative • Research Design, Skills & Methods in Education • Research Methods & Evaluation • Special education • Special Education/Special Needs • Testing
• ISBN-10: 1-5063-1851-7 / 1506318517
• ISBN-13: 978-1-5063-1851-6 / 9781506318516