Solution Manual & Test Bank for Educational Research Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Approaches 7th Edition by Robert Burke Johnson

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Solution Manual & Test Bank for Educational Research Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Approaches 7th Edition by Robert Burke Johnson Chapter 1: Introduction to Educational Research 1.1. Why s ... hould we study educational research? To become “research literate.” Because we live in a society that is driven by research. To improve critical thinking skills. To become better students To become better professionals To learn how to critically evaluate published research. To learn how to conduct research in case the need arises one day. 1.2. What are the definitions of the five general kinds of research? The five general kinds of research are basic research, applied research, evaluation research, action research, and orientational research. Here are the definitions: (a) Basic research: Research aimed at generating fundamental knowledge and theoretical understanding about basic human and other natural processes (b) Applied research: Research focused on answering practical questions to provide relatively immediate solutions (c) Evaluation: Determining the worth, merit, or quality of an evaluation object (d) Action research: Applied research focused on solving practitioners’ local problems (e) Orientational research: Research done for the purpose of advancing an ideological position 1.3. Why is it important that both basic and applied research be done? Basic research helps provide a solid foundation of reliable knowledge on which future research can be built, and applied research helps answer “real world” or practical questions. Basic and applied research inform each other. Obviously, both of these are important. 1.4. What is the difference between formative and summative evaluation? They have a different purpose. Formative evaluation is used for the purpose of improving an Johnson, Educational Research, 7e SAGE Publishing, 2020 evaluation object. Summative evaluation is used for the purpose of making judgments about Johnson, Educational Research, 7e SAGE Publishing, 2020 Suggested Answers to Review Questions the overall effectiveness of an evaluation object and determining whether a program should be continued. 1.5. What is the key question associated with each of the following forms of evaluation: needs assessment, theory assessment, implementation assessment, impact assessment, and efficiency assessment? (a) Needs assessment: Is there a need for this type of program? (b) Theory assessment: Is this program conceptualized in a way that it should work? (c) Implementation assessment: Was this program implemented properly and according to the program plan? (d) Impact assessment: Did this program have an impact on its intended targets? (e) Efficiency assessment: Is this program cost effective? 1.6. What are the different sources of knowledge? Which ones are especially important for educational researchers? (a) Experience (i.e., empiricism) (b) Expert opinion (c) Reasoning (i.e., rationalism) Educational researchers use a mixture of both empiricism and rationalism. Empiricism involves collecting data and learning from the data, and rationalism involves reasoning and thinking about the concepts and the results and developing theories to organize one’s explanations. 1.7. What is the key difference between inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning? Inductive reasoning results in conclusions that are “probably” true. Deductive reasoning provides conclusions that are necessarily true IF the premises are true. Johnson, Educational Research, 7e SAGE Publishing, 2020 Chapter 2: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Research 2.1. What are the key features of quantitative and qualitative research? Just look at Table 2.1, which shows the key characteristics of these two approaches in their pure or extreme forms as well as the characteristics of mixed research. I will mention a few of these here. Quantitative research uses the deductive or confirmatory or “top down” scientific method; it is used primarily for description, explanation, and prediction. It is based on quantitative data, in particular on the analysis of variables. The results describe statistical relationships and a goal is to generalize the results. In qualitative research, in contrast, the “bottom up” or inductive exploratory method is used; it is used primarily for the purposes of description and exploration and to gain an understanding of how people think and experience their lives. It is based on qualitative data which during analysis are examined for patterns, themes, and holistic features. A narrative report is presented and generalization is usually not a goal because the focus is on the local, the personal, and the subjective. [Show More]

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