Research and Evaluation in Education and Psychology: Integrating Diversity With Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods

by Donna M. Mertens

Focused on fully discussing what is considered to be "good" research, Research and Evaluation in Education and Psychology explains quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods, and incorporates the viewpoints of various research paradigms into its descriptions of these methods. The work covers four major paradigms: postpositivist, constructivist, transformative, and pragmatic. Special emphasis is provided on conducting research in culturally complex communities, based on the perspectives of feminists, ethnic/racial minorities, and people with disabilities. In each chapter, Donna M. Mertens carefully explains a step of the research process, from the literature review to analysis and reporting. Additionally, she includes a sample study and abstract in each chapter to illustrate the concepts discussed in that section of the book.

Genres: Reference, Psychology, Education, Nonfiction, Grad School

536 pages, Paperback

First published July 30, 1997

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful but I'd rather be reading for fun not school.

[Tayler Morrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for one of my Masters of Edu classes. I enjoyed learning a bit more about research paradigms and methods and ethics, but a lot of it was hard as it assumed you had statistics education and scientific research background which as a history/English teaching bachelors, I did not!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it for grad school - it did a good job of explaining research methods and providing examples.

[Jenn · Rating 1 out of 5]

A little light summer reading. Necessary, not fun.

[Miss T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on research

[Dilnur]

I just want to read this book, for my investigation.

[Caleb Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm currently in my Master's of Educational Leadership. This was the primary textbook in my course that focused on evaluating educational research. For those of you currently reading or about to purchase this book, I am split in my review on what to initially say. This book is incredibly dry (my thoughts), but it is packed with information. As the title states, you will find chapters on quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research. You will find yourself skipping chapters or jumping around the textbook. My personal struggle with this textbook and the course I took was that I do not have much background in research and in statistics. The author does a fine job walking the reading through the different parts of research you may come across, and she explains some basic statistics as well; however, I still needed to use external sources to fully grasps terms being used (specifically for quantitative research).

[Anthony A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally a good book that covers all aspects of research. In places, the way the book was organized could have been better. Also, some statistics-related things were introduced, but not very well covered or explained.

[Elke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. A must have resource. That's what I tell myself when I have to buy these books. But I really mean it about this one.

[Cort · Rating 4 out of 5]

Research is sexy and so am I.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of great charts to simplify ideas around research. Treats too many subjects within one volume - some ideas have too shallow, incomplete coverage.

[Dr.Given · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of great charts to simplify ideas around research. Treats too many subjects within one volume - some ideas have too shallow, incomplete coverage.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous text. Easy to read. Helpful information.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

read this for a Ph.D. class, very informative if one does not know anything about research in Psychology

had to reread for another Ph.D course same three stars