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

by Donna M. Mertens

Identify, evaluate, and practice good research using the  sixth edition  of   Research and Evaluation in Education and Integrating Diversity With Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods  by renowned scholar Donna Mertens. This introductory research methods text incorporates the viewpoints of various research paradigms into its descriptions of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods as well as program evaluation. The work covers five major post-positivist, constructivist, transformative, pragmatic and Indigenous. Special emphasis on conducting research with culturally complex communities, based on the perspectives of feminists, ethnic/racial minorities, and people with disabilities is a hallmark of this text.  In each chapter, the author carefully explains each step of the research process, from the literature review to analysis and reporting. Additionally, each chapter includes a published sample study and abstract to illustrate the concepts discussed in that chapter. This text works well as a core text for either a consumer-focused graduate-level course or a doctoral-level research methods course.

The new edition gives extra attention to introductory terminology, research methods paradigms, and indigenous methods. Citations and references have all been updated to reflect the seventh edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Community engagement now features prominently throughout the book, including in literature reviews and examples throughout the text. Recent advances in mixed methods, new applications of theoretical frameworks, and the latest research examples will give students the most current instruction in research methods.

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

544 pages, Paperback

First published July 30, 1997

Reviews

[Angie]

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

[Tayler Morrell]

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]

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

[Jenn]

A little light summer reading. Necessary, not fun.

[Miss T]

Excellent book on research

[Dilnur]

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

[Caleb Anderson]

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]

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]

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]

Research is sexy and so am I.

[Kim]

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]

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

[Kate]

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

[Amanda]

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