Types of Research
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Research Methods Knowledge BaseThe Research Methods Knowledge Base is a comprehensive web-based textbook that addresses all of the topics in a typical introductory undergraduate or graduate course in social research methods. It covers the entire research process including: formulating research questions; sampling (probability and nonprobability); measurement (surveys, scaling, qualitative, unobtrusive); research design (experimental and quasi-experimental); data analysis; and, writing the research paper. It also addresses the major theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of research including: the idea of validity in research; reliability of measures; and ethics. The Knowledge Base was designed to be different from the many typical commercially-available research methods texts. It uses an informal, conversational style to engage both the newcomer and the more experienced student of research. It is a fully hyperlinked text that can be integrated easily into an existing course structure or used as a sourcebook for the experienced researcher who simply wants to browse.
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Research methods and methodologyHow to... a set of 19 guides on a variety of topics for researchers; from Emerald Group Publishing.
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Research MethodsThis area offers practical advice on postgraduate research and is supported by activities and reflections that can help you develop your skills and focus. It was written by Gina Wisker, also the author of a practical guide The Postgraduate Research Handbook .
- General
- Action Research
- Arts Research
- Case Study
- Coding
- Constructionist Research
- Content Analysis
- Critical Ethnography
- Critical Race Theory
- Discourse Analysis
- Ethnography
- Feminist Research
- Focus Groups
- Formative and Design Experiment
- Grounded Theory
- Indigenist Research
- Internet Research
- Interviewing
- Narrative Inquiry
- Oral History
- Performance Ethnography
- Phenomenology
- Portraiture
- Visual Method
- Experimental research
- Nonexperimental research
- Descriptive Survey research
- Single - subject research
- Causal- comparative research
- Correlational Research
- Meta-analysis
- ex post facto research
- cross-sectional study
- Laboratory research
- Evaluation research
- Mixed method research
Action Research is conducted to "improve the knowledge base for educational theory; as a means of personal fulfillment, empowerment, and the professionalization of teaching; and to improve and refine teaching practice specific to a teacher-researcher's context."
(Definition from O'Brien, N.P. & J.W. Collins III, The Greenwood Dictionary of Education. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2003.)
These seven steps can become an endless cycle for the inquiring teacher:
1. Selecting a focus
2. Clarifying theories
3. Identifying research questions
4. Collecting data
5. Analyzing data
6. Reporting results
7. Taking informed action
The links below will provide books using the topics as subject terms. There are two sets of links, one for SCSU and one for WCSU. Keep in mind that print books located at other institutions in the CSCU system (Connecticut State Colleges and Universities) can be borrowed and delivered to the library at your home institution. For eBooks, many of the eBooks in the catalog are licensed by the State of Connecticut and available at each state university in CSCU. However, some eBooks are licensed by individual libraries and you will not be able to access those from other institutions.
For more information about searching for books, click on the Find Books link in the menu on the left.
The first set of links will search at SCSU for books.
This second set of links will search at WCSU for books.
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WCSU books on Library ResearchStrategies, techniques, and information about searching for library materials ((databases, journals, books)