Educational Research and Inquiry - by Dimitra Hartas (Paperback)

About the Book

An excellent resource covering quantitative and qualitative methodologies for research students in education embarking upon their Research Methods MA, PhD, EdD or MPhil.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

'This book provides a comprehensive review of issues related to educational research and enquiry. It serves as a valuable guide for students and as a reference for more experienced researchers. Its wide coverage of methodologies and strategies give it a broad appeal and it deserves to become a standard text on educational research methodology.' Graeme Hutcheson, Lecturer in Quantitative Methods and Statistical Modelling, Manchester University, UK

This book is a helpful resource on how to start the 'journey of research' keeping in mind that it is for a broader, not specific purpose. The book is a useful tool for initial student researchers who have some background in social science investigation.

'Educational Research and Inquiry is an excellent resource that explains, challenges and exemplifies. A key feature is that it helpfully weaves together research methodological and substantive aspects so for example the challenges of researching children are discussed in the context of such questions as 'what is a child'? Quantitative methods are given considerable coverage, yet newer areas like visual methodologies are helpfully addressed.'Kathy Hall, Professor of Education and Head of Department, University College Cork, Ireland

About the Author

Dimitra Hartas is Associate Professor in the Institute of Education at the University of Warwick, UK. Her research and teaching interests focus on disability issues, children's language development and children's rights.