Conducting and publishing rigorous empirical research based on original data is essential for advancing and sustaining high-quality counseling practice. The purpose of this article is to provide a one-stop-shop for writing a rigorous quantitative Methods section in counseling and related fields. The importance of judiciously planning,…

This article is developed from the contents from one of the chapters the researcher has written as part of her PhD thesis. It discusses various methodological challenges the researcher had to face during the phase of data collection in the prisons of Kerala, India, and the strategies adopted to overcome these challenges. This article is intended…

Over the last few decades, scholars have called on the field of educational history to more fully account for the perspectives of women and People of Color, and to connect history to contemporary educational research and policy. While a number of scholars answered these calls with important contributions, few have offered a methodological roadmap…

This chapter provides a guide to research logistics and ethics in studying immigrant families. The authors outline major pragmatic issues in research design and data collection to which all scholars must attend, although current practices often do not respond to the idiosyncratic issues related to vulnerable immigrant populations (e.g.,…

Tells how oral history helps integrate journalistic techniques into standard historical research. Discusses techniques that may be used during four phases of gathering oral history: preliminary contact, preinterview preparation, the interview, and post-interview activities. (GT)

Explains basic logic of canonical analysis, illustrates that canonical analysis is general parametric analytic method subsuming other methods, and offers guidelines regarding use of this analytic approach. Concludes that canonical analysis is potent because it does not require researcher to discard variance of any variables and because it honors…

Provides an introduction to the theme of this issue, the limits of educational research methodology. Advocates a combination of research methodologies and identifies three approaches to educational research. Includes sections on the nature of research and common research problems. (JDH)

Provides guidelines for conducting representative case research (i.e., research that examines response of specific individuals to events, situations, circumstances, or conditions important in human life). Describes phases of investigation. Concludes representative case research offers a way of knowing persons holistically through application of…

Tells how to conduct a meta-analysis study, and refers readers to information about refinements of the techniques. A simple meta-analysis is presented. Describes three fundamental stages to conducting a meta-analysis: (1) literature review; (2) calculation of effect sizes; and (3) analysis of data. (Author/NB)

The author attempts to synthesize some issues concerning adult education research. Topics include (1) the purpose of research, (2) epistemological assumptions being made by the researcher, (3) the politics and ethics of the research, (4) research design issues, and (5) consistency with the researcher's philosophy of adult education. (CH)

The third in a series of articles on performing and disseminating research projects in instructional technology presents guidelines for research planning: select a topic; identify the research problem; conduct a literature search; state the research questions; determine the research design; determine methods; and identify data analysis procedures.…

Examines the schism of values between qualitative and quantitative social science researchers. Focuses on some practical methodological issues which face researchers wishing to adopt a qualitative-interpretive approach. (JDH)

Provides guidelines for the preparation of lexicographic documentation. (AM)

Advocating individualized instruction, this article provides a model for conducting research on individual student differences which teachers actually recognize and use to modify their instruction. Provides examples of how teachers accommodate individual differences in middle and junior high school classrooms. (JDH)

Advocates the use of interviews in conducting research on child learning and development. Explores some of the difficulties inherent in interviewing children (e.g., suggestibility, unwillingness to respond to strangers), interviewer bias, situational variables, uses of the self-report, and ethical considerations. Also outlines approaches used by…