The nature of research -- The research problem -- Locating and reviewing the literature -- Ethics and research -- Variables and hypotheses -- Sampling -- Instrumentation -- Validity and reliability -- Internal validity -- Descriptive statistics -- Inferential statistics -- Statistics in perspective -- Experimental research -- Single-subject research -- Correlational research -- Causal-comparative research -- Survey research -- The nature of qualitative research -- Observation and interviewing -- Content analysis -- Ethnographic research -- Historical research -- Mixed-methods research -- Action research -- Preparing research proposals and reports.

How to Design and Evaluate Research in Education provides a comprehensive introduction to educational research. The text covers the most widely used research methodologies and discusses each step in the research process in detail. Step-by-step analysis of real research studies provides students with practical examples of how to prepare their work and read that of others. End-of-chapter problem sheets, comprehensive coverage of data analysis, and information on how to prepare research proposals and reports make it appropriate both for courses that focus on doing research and for those that stress how to read and understand research.