Author Biography

Jeanne Ellis Ormrod received her A.B. in psychology from Brown University and her M.S. and Ph.D. in educational psychology from The Pennsylvania State University. She was Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Northern Colorado for 22 years, where she taught courses in research methods and assessment as well as in her academic discipline; she is currently Professor Emerita of Psychological Sciences there. Subsequently, she has also taught research methods at the University of New Hampshire. She has published and presented extensively on cognition and memory, cognitive development, instruction, and related topics but is probably best known for this book and several others: How We Think and Learn, Human Learning, Child Development and Education, Educational Psychology and Essentials of Educational Psychology.

Table of Contents

• PART I: The fundamentals
• 1. The nature and tools of research
• PART II: Focusing your research efforts
• 2. The problem: The heart of the research process
• 3. Review of the related literature
• 4. Planning your research project
• 5. Writing the research proposal
• PART III: Research designs
• 6. Descriptive research
• 7. Experimental, quasi-experimental and ex-post facto designs
• 8. Qualitative research methods
• 9. Mixed-methods designs
• 10. Action research
• PART IV: Data analyses
• 11. Analyzing quantitative data
• 12. Analyzing qualitative and mixed-methods data
• PART V: Research reports
• 13. Planning and preparing a final research report
• APPENDICES
• Appendix A: Using a spreadsheet
• Appendix B: Using SPSS
• Glossary

Feature

Practical Applications, Guidelines, and Checklists help readers enhance their research skills by translating abstract concepts and ideas into specific strategies and explicit criteria. (Chs. 2, 6, and 8-12 contain new or significantly revised features). Conceptual Analysis exercises allow readers to practice applying chapter content in activities such as "Identifying Independent, Dependent, Mediating, and Moderating Variables" and "Identifying Mixed-Methods Research Designs" (Chs. 2, 6, and 8-12 contain new or significantly revised exercises). Using Technology margin icons call out content that reflects the use of digital technologies for planning a research project, collecting and analysing data, and reporting and disseminating the findings. Illustrative excerpts and end-of-chapter Dissertation Analysis features provide examples of annotated, student-written dissertations and theses, showing readers how their peers have successfully completed these papers (Chs. 3 and 5-12). Action research is covered in an entirely new chapter to provide guidance on using this increasingly popular form of research (Ch. 10). Tips for identifying a theoretical or conceptual framework for a research study are included in a new section. Readers learn to: 1) more effectively ground a study within current theoretical perspectives and research literature and/or 2) propose a new framework through which the results of their study may be meaningfully interpreted (Ch. 1). Included at the end of each chapter, Application Exercises help readers implement their understanding of various tasks essential to conducting research, such as selecting a topic, doing a literature review, collecting and analysing research data, and writing up a proposal. Expanded and updated discussions of qualitative and mixed-methods designs address the increasing popularity of these studies in many academic disciplines (Chs. 8, 9, and 12).

New Feature

Help students plan, conduct, report on, and evaluate a research project Practical Applications, Guidelines, and Checklists help readers enhance their research skills by translating abstract concepts and ideas into specific strategies and explicit criteria. (Chs. 2, 6, and 8-12 contain new or significantly revised features). Conceptual Analysis exercises allow readers to practice applying chapter content in activities such as "Identifying Independent, Dependent, Mediating, and Moderating Variables" and "Identifying Mixed-Methods Research Designs" (Chs. 2, 6, and 8-12 contain new or significantly revised exercises). Application Exercises, an entirely new feature, help readers implement their understanding of various tasks essential to conducting research, such as selecting a topic, doing a literature review, collecting and analyzing research data, and writing up a proposal. Reflect contemporary trends in research design and data analysis Action research is covered in an entirely new chapter to provide guidance on using this increasingly popular form of research (Ch. 10). Tips for identifying a theoretical or conceptual framework for a research study are included in a new section. Readers learn to: 1) more effectively ground a study within current theoretical perspectives and research literature and/or 2) propose a new framework through which the results of their study may be meaningfully interpreted (Ch. 1). Expanded and updated discussions of qualitative and mixed-methods designs address the increasing popularity of these studies in many academic disciplines (Chs. 8, 9, and 12). Also available with Pearson MyLab Education MyLab(tm) Education is not included. Students, if Pearson MyLab Education is a recommended/mandatory component of the course, please ask your instructor for the correct ISBN. Pearson MyLab Education should only be purchased when required by an instructor. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information. Deliver trusted content: You deserve teaching materials that meet your own high standards for your course. That's why we partner with highly respected authors to develop interactive content and course-specific resources that you can trust-and that keep your students engaged . Interactive Practice Thinking Like a Researcher activities allow the reader to actively engage in their learning as they analyze the research process. Empower each learner: Each student learns at a different pace. Personalized learning pinpoints the precise areas where each student needs practice, giving all students the support they need-when and where they need it-to be successful. Self-Check Assessments present students with opportunities to check their understanding. Teach your course your way: Your course is unique. So whether you'd like to build your own assignments, teach multiple sections, or set prerequisites, MyLab gives you the flexibility to easily create your course to fit your needs. Improve student results: When you teach with MyLab, student performance often improves. That's why instructors have chosen MyLab for over 15 years, touching the lives of over 50 million students.

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