Research and evaluation in education and psychology : integrating diversity with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods

This episode is an excerpt from a textbook on research and evaluation in education and psychology, written by Donna M. Mertens. It provides a comprehensive guide to research methods, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches. The book is structured around different research paradigms, exploring the philosophical assumptions and methodological implications of each. The main paradigms discussed are positivism, constructivism, transformative, and pragmatic.

The text covers topics such as research design, literature review, data collection, data analysis, interpretation of results, and research ethics. It highlights the importance of considering diversity and inclusion at all stages of research, emphasizing the need to address issues of gender, race/ethnicity, social class, and disability. The book provides detailed guidelines for the application of different research methods, such as experimental studies, causal-comparative research, correlational research, case studies, qualitative research, and historical research.

The main goal of the book is to provide students and professionals in the fields of education and psychology with a solid foundation for understanding and applying different research methods effectively and ethically. The text emphasizes the importance of a critical approach to research, encouraging readers to question the assumptions, methods, and conclusions of previous studies. The book also explores the social and political implications of research and argues that research should be used to promote social justice and equality.