Description:

SUMMARY: Designed for introductory research courses in the professional fields and social sciences, this text acquaints students and beginning researchers with a broad view of research methodologies and an understanding of the assumptions that inform each of these approaches. More experienced researchers will also find the book useful in acquainting them with methodologies and theoretical frameworks that are new to them. The text is distinguished by its avoidance of using the discreet categories of qualitative and quantitative methods to organize the chapters. While some chapter authors rely more on one or the other, many employ multiple methodologies to investigate particular problems and questions. Further, the book is not organized into single, contradictory positivist-interpretivist categories of research; chapter authors often situate methodologies within a variety of, and sometimes multiple, theoretical positions, particularly as these approaches are shaped by the historical context of social science research. Focus points in Foundations for Research: Methods of Inquiry in Education and the Social Sciences: Research ethics. Multiple ways of approaching ethical principles and the roles of researchers and participants within research projects are discussed in the opening chapter and addressed in all chapters, explicitly or implicitly. Readers leave the volume with an understanding of the controversies and complexities of creating ethical research to address social problems across a variety of sociopolitical contexts. Intertwined relationship of theory and research design. The necessity for researchers to clearly articulate their assumptions, beliefs, and values about the nature of reality, knowledge, and research is emphasized throughout. Each chapter highlights the sociohistorical context of the specific research methodology it addresses, presents key concepts and issues within that design, and shows pertinent methods of data collection, interpretation, and representation. Systematic examination of ways to design and implement high-quality, trustworthy research across varying research designs. Issues of validity and credibility are discussed in all chapters and specific strategies are suggested for readers to use in their own work as they seek to improve the quality of their research. Specific methods for implementing research within various frameworks. In addition to grappling with ethical, theoretical, and methodological issues, readers are involved in learning the practical tools employed by each of the chapter authors. Many examples and illustrations are provided. Pedagogical strategies. Meet the Author sections give a human face to the contributors; questions throughout each chapter encourage readers to apply key chapter concepts to their own thinking and research; extensive bibliographies promote further exploration of the various research methodologies.