Research Design - 2nd edition

Creswell, John W. : University of Nebraska, Lincoln

"Creswell's Research Design is an accessible and useful book that stimulates students through walk through experiences, use of exercises, and production of actual writing samples. It is a book that models the types of issues that best suit different approaches and allows students to understand when to use mixed methods. Furthermore, its focus on theory and paradigms is done in a way that helps students decode their meaning."

--Martha Montero-Sieburth, University of Massachusetts, Boston

"The bulleted key points are very helpful . . . The information contained in the boxes is brief, to the point, and extremely beneficial in one's overall understanding. The annotated bibliography is another excellent feature, particularly having it at the end of each chapter . . . it gives the student an idea of what the reference will be about and whether it may be beneficial to them."

--Nancy L. Leech, Ph.D. Student at Colorado State University

"One of the most formidable challenges of research design is stating your purpose. Creswell's approach takes the guesswork out of the process."

--Steve Guerriero, Organization & Management, Antioch New England Graduate School

Sage Publications Web Site, Aug., 2002

1. PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS

Chapter 1. A Framework for Design

Three Elements of Inquiry
Alternative Knowledge Claims
Strategies of Inquiry
Research Methods
Three Approaches to Research
Criteria for Selecting an Approach
Personal Experiences
Audience
Summary
Writing Exercises
Additional Readings

Chapter 2. Review of the Literature

Identifying a Topic
A Researchable Topic
Purpose of the Literature Review
Literature Reviews in Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Method Research
Design Techniques
Example 2.1 Review of a Quantitative Study
Example 2.2 Review of a Study Advancing a Typology
Style Manuals
A Model for Writing the Literature Review
Summary
Writing Exercises
Additional Readings

Chapter 3. Writing Strategies and Ethical Considerations

Writing the Proposal
Central Arguments to Make
Example 3.1 A Qualitative Constructivist/Interpretivist Format
Example 3.2 A Qualitative Advocacy/Participatory Format
Example 3.3 A Quantitative Format
Example 3.4 A Mixed Methods Format
Writing Tips
Example 3.5 A Sample Passage Illustrating the Hook-and-Eye-Technique
Ethical Issues to Anticipate
Summary
Writing Exercises
Additional Readings

Part 2. DESIGNING RESEARCH

Chapter 4. The Introduction

The Importance of Introductions
Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Introductions
A Model for an Introduction
Example 4.1 Deficiencies in the Literature - Needed Explorations
Example 4.2 Deficiencies in the Literature - Few Studies
Summary
Writing Exercises
Additional Readings

Chapter 5. The Purpose Statement

Significance and Meaning of a Purpose Statement
A Qualitative Purpose Statement
Example 5.1 A Purpose Statement in a Qualitative Phenomenology Study
Example 5.2 A Purpose Statement in a Case Study
Example 5.3 A Purpose Statement in an Ethnographic Study
A Quantitative Purpose Statement
Example 5.4 A Purpose Statement in a Grounded Theory Study
Example 5.5 A Purpose Statement in a Published Survey Study
Example 5.6 A Purpose Statement in a Dissertation Survey Study
Example 5.7 A Purpose Statement in a Experimental Study
A Mixed Methods Purpose Statement
Example 5.8 A Mixed Methods Purpose Statement, Convergent Strategy of Inuiry
Example 5.9 A Mixed Methods Purpose Statement, Sequential Strategy of Inquiry
Summary
Writing Exercises
Additional Readings

Chapter 6. Research Questions and Hypotheses

Qualitative Research Questions
Example 6.1 A Qualitative Central Question From an Ethnography
Example 6.2 Central Questions From a Case Study
Quantitative Research Questions and Hypotheses
Example 6.3 A Null Hypothesis
Example 6.4 Directional Hypotheses
Example 6.5 Nondirectional and Directional Hypotheses
Example 6.6 Standard Use of Language in Hypothesis
Mixed Method Research Questions and Hypotheses
Example 6.7 Descriptive and Inferential Questions
Example 6.8 Hypotheses and Research Questions in a Mixed Methods Study
Summary
Writing Exercises
Additional Readings

Chapter 7. The Use of Theory

Quantitative Theory-Use
Example 7.1 A Quantitative Theory Section
Qualitative Theory-Use
Example 7.2 An Example of Theory-Use Early in a Qualitative Study
Example 7.3 A Theory at the End of a Qualitative Study
Mixed Methods Theory-Use
Example 7.4 A Transformative-Emancipatory Mixed Methods Study
Summary
Writing Exercises
Additional Readings

Chapter 8. Definitions, Limitations, and Significance

The Definition of Terms
Example 8.1 Terms Defined in a Mixed Methods Dissertation
Example 8.2 Terms Defined in an Independent Variables Section in a Quantitative Dissertation
Delimitations and Limitations
Example 8.3 A Delimitation and a Limitation in a Doctoral Dissertation Proposal
Significance of the Proposed Study
Example 8.4 Significance of the Study Stated in an Introduction to a Quantitative Study
Summary
Writing Exercises
Additional Readings

Chapter 9. Quantitative Methods

Defining Surveys and Experiments
Components of a Survey Method Plan
Example 9.1 An Example of a Survey Method Section
Components of an Experimental Method Plan
Example 9.2 Pre-Experimental Designs
Example 9.3 Quasi-Experimental Designs
Example 9.4 True Experimental Designs
Example 9.5 Single-Subject Designs
Threats to Validity
Example 9.6 An Experimental Method Section
Summary
Writing Exercises
Additional Readings

Chapter 10. Qualitative Procedures

The Characteristics of Qualitative Research
Strategies of Inquiry
The Researcher's Role
Data Collection Procedures
Data Recording Procedures
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Validating the Accuracy of Findings
The Qualitative Narrative
Example 10.1 Qualitative Procedures
Summary
Writing Exercises
Additional Readings

Chapter 11. Mixed Methods Procedures

Components of Mixed Methods Procedures
The Nature of Mixed Methods Research
Types of Mixed Methods Strategies
Alternative Strategies and Visual Models
Data Collection Procedures
Data Analysis and Validation Procedures
Report Presentation Structure
Examples of Mixed Methods Procedures
Example 11.1 A Sequential Strategy of Inquiry
Example 11.2 A Concurrent Strategy of Inquiry
Summary
Writing Exercises
Additional Readings
References
Author Index
Subject Index
About the Author

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