Making Sense of Research
What's Good, What's Not, and How To Tell the Difference
- Elaine K. McEwan - The McEwan-Adkins Group
- Patrick J. McEwan - Wellesley College, USA
Foreword by Henry M. Levin
How can educators make sense of the complexities of research?
Making Sense of Research brings together the best of two worlds—the "real" world where education is practiced daily and the "ivory tower" world where research is ongoing. The authors have written this book for practitioners at all levels, from teachers making site-specific decisions such as allocating time, to administrators making schoolwide and policy decisions such as reducing class size. They outline and explain how quality research can inform, enlighten, and provide direction to educators that will save time and money, as well as make schools more effective and increase opportunities for students.
Educators are increasingly accountable for the outcome of their efforts. This vital resource will assist them in assessing the validity of research claims by leading the reader through a revealing examination of five critical questions:
- Does it work? (the causal question)
- How does it work? (the process question)
- Is it worthwhile? (the cost question)
- Will it work for me? (the usability question)
- Is it working for me? (the evaluation question)
Making Sense of Research will change the way you read and think about research, and thereby help you enhance school improvement, sustain your vision of quality education, attain your mission, and ultimately increase student achievement.
Each chapter launches with a discussion of the different forms of inquiry that can be used to answer [a] question at hand, and in plain language how each type (design or paradigm) works. Part of that process involves frank assessment of the strengths and limitations of each format--and thus the credibility of the evidence produced.
Succinct, yet pertinent information on the mechanics and applicability of research that will lend to students understanding as they navigate the dissertation process.
The book is concisely written and offers a pragmatic approach to research.
