Research methods in education and psychology - Donna M Mertens

Focused on providing as full a picture as possible of what is considered to be `good research, this book explains quantitative and qualitative methods, and incorporates the viewpoints of various research paradigms into the descriptions of these methods. Donna M Mertens not only covers two standard paradigms (postpositivist and interpretive/constructivist) but also explores a relative newcomer, the emancipatory paradigm, that is inclusive of the perspectives of feminists, ethnic/racial minorities and persons with disabilities.

In each chapter, Donna M Mertens carefully explains a step of the research process through the literature review, research method and analysis to reporting the research. Each chapter: opens with examples and lists of topics to consider; contains sample studies to illustrate key ideas; has sequence steps to guide one through the research process; and has a question and answer section to elicit further reflection on the material covered.