Understanding Education Research: A Guide to Critical Reading

by Gary Shank, Jan Pringle, Launcelot Brown

"Understanding Education Research" is designed to help students learn to read educational research articles carefully, systematically, and critically. Students learn to categorize titles, decode abstracts, find research questions, characterize research arguments, break down methods and procedures, explore references, apply analysis strategies, and interpret findings. The book allows them to easily develop the skills they need to be research literate. It offers simple guidelines for qualitative, quantitative, and statistical approaches that help students master the basics behind these often complex and confusing methodologies. The book is accessible for future researchers or for students who simply need to understand research clearly. It is written in a clear and engaging style, with ample concrete examples of each stage, offering exercises for student practice.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

150 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2014

Reviews

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for my Secondary Education program. I think it overall is a good guide for education research. For the most part, it is broken down into sections that will guide you through the process. My only complaint is that there is a perceived notion that the reader already has some experience in education research like for data. I think the authors should have taken the time to break that information down as well, even if it was in an appendix, just to make sure all readers are able to have the same understanding.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick, easy overview of educational research methods and evaluation. I found it extremely helpful in writing my M.Ed. research proposal. This book functions very well as the quick and dirty overview of educational research for consumers and I would recommend it to anyone who needs a review, a quick reference, or an opportunity to dip their toes in the water before being overwhelmed in technicalities.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a clear, concise introduction to the main research topics. I needed a textbook for an introductory course on research, which is focused on consuming (not producing) research. I liked the straightforward descriptions with examples.

Where the book falls down for me is that it really does not provide tips or guides for critical reading. I had to supplement with other resources for that aspect.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an introduction to understanding education research. Its an easy read and can help you become familiar with how understand peer based research articles.

[Sarah Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good solid introduction to what written education research includes.