This volume is intended for use in introductory research courses in which elementary and early childhood teachers, reading specialists, special education teachers, and content area teachers at the middle and secondary school levels are prepared as consumers of educational research rather than producers of educational research. The text provides basic knowledge and skills for reading, interpreting, and evaluating both quantitative and qualitative educational research for instructional decision making. The chapters are: (1) "The Research Process"; (2) "Research Designs"; (3) "Reading and Evaluating Research Reports"; (4) "Reading and Evaluating Introductory Sections: Abstract, Background, and Purpose"; (5) "Reading and Evaluating Subject Sections"; (6) "Reading and Evaluating Instrument Sections"; (7) "Reading and Evaluating Procedure Sections"; (8) "Reading and Interpreting Results Sections"; (9) "Reading and Evaluating Discussion Sections"; (10) "Reading and Interpreting Reviews of Research"; and (11) "Locating Information about Research Reports." Appendixes contain a glossary, research reports and reviews for analysis, and the ethical standards of the American Educational Research Association. (Contains 26 figures, 7 tables, and 186 references.) (SLD)