Full Description
In this book, the authors bring the best of two worlds to the writing of this book - the "real" world where education is practiced daily and the "research" world where the "disciplined search for knowledge" (Smith & Glass, 1987, p.6) is ongoing. This book is for those who make decisions - from the seemingly smallest teacher-made decision regarding time allocation during reading instruction to major national policy decisions such as reducing class size. When carefully read and thoughtfully considered, quality research can inform, enlighten, and provide direction to practitioners that will save time and money, but more importantly enhance the effectiveness of schools and increase the opportunities for student. Making sense of research is also about doing your own site-specific, user-driven research as a way of sustaining school improvement, keeping vision alive, and attaining your mission.
Contents
Foreword - Henry M. LevinPrefaceThe Goals of This BookWho This Book Is ForWhat This Book Is NotOverview of the ContentsA Few Words of ExplanationAbout the Authors1. Asking the Right QuestionsWhat Is Our Approach to Making Sense of Research?Five Questions About ResearchFour Case Studies of Education ResearchFurther Reading2. Behind the Scenes in the World of Education ResearchThe World of Education ResearchWho Does Education Research?Who Pays for It?Where Is It Published?Can You Trust Education Research?What Does the Future Hold for Education Research?Does Education Research Really Matter?Further Reading3. The Causal Questions: Does It Work? (Part I)The Causality ConundrumSimple (Minded) Methods of Establishing CausalityWhat Can Go Wrong With Experiments?Why Are Experiments So Unpopular With Education TeachersFurther Reading4 The Causal Question: Does It Work? (Part II)Quasi-Experiments and Non-ExperimentsThe Researcher's Bag of TricksQuasi-Experimental ApproachesNon-Experimental ApproachesFurther Reading5. The Process Question: How Does It Work?What Is Qualitative Research?The Qualities of Qualitative ResearchThe Power of Qualitative ResearchQualitative Research MethodsFrom Whence Comes the Quality in Qualitative Research?Further Reading6. The Cost Question: Is It Worthwhile?The Concept of CostsThe Ingredients Method of Cost AnalysisTwo Important Cost QuestionsFurther Reading7. The Usability Question: Will It Work for Me?Will it Work in My Setting?Some Rules of Thumb for Making GeneralizationsResearch Reviews and Meta-AnalysisSpecial Considerations for Qualitative and Cost StudiesMaking Trade-OffsFurther Reading8. The Evaluation Question: Is It Working for Me?What Is User-Driven Research?User-Driven Research at Lincoln Middle SchoolAsking the Right QuestionsRefocusing on OutcomesDefining the ProblemsExemplars of User-Driven ResearchFurther ReadingResource: Bibliographies for Case StudiesClass Size ReductionPhonics InstructionPrivate-School VouchersWhole-School ReformReferencesIndex
