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Understanding and Evaluating Research: A Critical Guide shows students how to be critical consumers of research and to appreciate the power of methodology as it shapes the research question, the use of theory in the study, the methods used, and how the outcomes are reported. The book starts with what it means to be a critical and uncritical reader of research, followed by a detailed chapter on methodology, and then proceeds to a discussion of each component of a research article as it is informed by the methodology. The book encourages readers to select an article from their discipline, learning along the way how to assess each component of the article and come to a judgment of its rigor or quality as a scholarly report. "Understanding and Evaluating Research is a great resource with many examples to beginners and seasoned qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods researchers." -- Kadir Demir "Sue L. T. McGregor provides what is missing in most textbooks on research methods-deeper explanations. New researchers will find detailed explanations of difficult-to-understand research concepts, and professors will find a wealth of teaching tools that can be tailored for each lesson. Few textbooks on research methods are so comprehensive and practical." -- Scott Greenberger "This is an exceptional instructional book written for students and experienced researchers. It's a thorough guide that explains the entire process and provides a complete understanding of research. I highly recommend Understanding and Evaluating Research: A Critical Guide for both inexperienced and experienced researchers!" -- Anita Rose "This powerful, well-crafted book provides novice and advanced researchers the tools to fully understand and execute research." -- Carole S Rhodes "This ambitious volume provides depth and explanation to the basics of research methods and goes beyond to demystify many elements of academic writing. The book is accessible to novice researchers across disciplines. It is evident how much care and thought went into developing each chapter of this text to illuminate for novice researchers the guidelines and the quirkiness of academic writing." -- Xyanthe Neider

Understanding and Evaluating Research: A Critical Guide

Preface

Acknowledgements

About the Author

PART I * INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1 * Critical Research Literacy

Introduction to the Book

Research Literacy Defined

Benefits of Research Literacy

Critical Research Literacy

Uncritical Readings of Research

Critically and Uncritically Reading Research

Chapter Summary

Review and Discussion Questions

PART II * PHILOSOPHICAL AND THEORETICAL ASPECTS OF RESEARCH

Chapter 2 * Research Methodologies

Introduction

Conceptual Confusion, Slippage, and Clarity

Methodological Approach Used in this Book

Philosophical Axioms

Positivism and Postpositivism

Empirical, Interpretive, and Critical Methodologies

Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods Methodologies

Research Methodology and Research Question Alignment

Writing the Research Methodology Section of a Paper

Chapter Summary

Review and Discussion Questions

Chapter 3 * Conceptual Frameworks, Theories, and Models

Introduction

Role of Theory in Research Inquiries

Concepts and Constructs

Conceptual Frameworks

Theories

Writing the Theoretical or Conceptual Framework Section of a Paper

Models

Chapter Summary

Review and Discussion Questions

PART III * ORIENTING AND SUPPORTIVE ELEMENTS OF RESEARCH

Chapter 4 * Orienting and Supportive Elements of a Journal Article

Introduction

Authors' Names, Credentials, and Affiliations

Article Title

Abstracts

Keywords

References

Footnotes and Endnotes

Appendices

Acknowledgements

Biographies

Chapter Summary

Review and Discussion Questions

Chapter 5 * Peer-Reviewed Journals

Introduction

Journal Editor, Editorial Boards, and Facilitating Editors

Peer Review Process

Acceptance Rates

Journal Impact Factors

Journal Title

Journal Volume, Issue, and Pagination

Year of Publication and Article Placement in Issue

Special Topic and Themed Issues

Electronic Journals

Open Access Journals

Chapter Summary

Review and Discussion Questions

PART IV * RESEARCH JUSTIFICATIONS, AUGMENTATION, AND RATIONALES

Chapter 6 * Introduction and Research Questions

Introduction

Etymological Roots

Opening Sentences and Opening Points in an Introduction

Six Approaches to Writing Introductions

Delimitations

Chapter Summary

Review and Discussion Questions

Chapter 7 * Literature Review

Introduction

Etymology and Definition of a Literature Review

Purposes of a Literature Review

When to Conduct a Literature Review

Conducting a Literature Search

Critically Reviewing the Collection of Literature

Writing the Literature Review Section

Characteristics of a Good Literature Review

Technical Elements of Writing Effective Literature Review Sections

Chapter Summary

Review and Discussion Questions

PART V * RESEARCH DESIGN AND RESEARCH METHODS

Chapter 8 * Overview of Research Design and Methods

Introduction

Etymology and Definition of Methods and Research Design

Research Design

Methods

Integrity of Research Designs

Technical Aspects of Reporting Methods

Chapter Summary

Review and Discussion Questions

Chapter 9 * Reporting Qualitative Research Methods

Introduction

Qualitative Emergent Research Designs

Types of Qualitative Research Designs

Methods Appropriate for Qualitative Research

Qualitative Site Selection and Access

Qualitative Sampling

Researcher's Role

Qualitative Ethical Considerations

Qualitative Data Collection

Qualitative Data Management, Security, and Storage

Integrity of Qualitative Research Designs

Qualitative Data Analysis

Qualitative Study Limitations

Chapter Summary

Review and Discussion Questions

Chapter 10 * Reporting Quantitative Methods and Mixed Methods Research

Introduction

Quantitative Research Design

Mixed Methods Research Design

Chapter Summary

Review and Discussion Questions

PART VI * RESULTS AND FINDINGS

Chapter 11 * Statistical Literacy and Conventions

Introduction

History of Statistics

Laws of Probability and Chance

Statistical Literacy

Types of Statistical Data

Statistical Variables

Experimental and Nonexperimental Research

Chapter Summary

Review and Discussion Questions

Chapter 12 * Descriptive and Inferential Statistics

Introduction

Basic Differences Between Descriptive and Inferential Statistics

Descriptive Statistics

Association and Causation

Inferential Statistics

Conclusion

Chapter Summary

Review and Discussion Questions

Chapter 13 * Results and Findings

Introduction

Distinguishing Between Results and Findings

Purpose of Results or Findings Section

Reporting Qualitative Findings

Reporting Quantitative Results

Reporting Mixed Methods Results and Findings

Conclusions: Unique Challenges of these Approaches

Chapter Summary

Review and Discussion Questions

PART VII * DISCUSSION, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Chapter 14 * Discussion

Introduction

Discussion Defined

Discussion Relative to Results and Findings

Purpose of Discussion

Discussion and the Concept of Significance

Fundamental Questions to Address in the Discussion

Limitations

Organizing the Discussion Section

Staying Focused and On Topic

Ensuring Strong and Responsible Discussions

Technical Strategies for Discussion Sections

Chapter Summary

Review and Discussion Questions

Chapter 15 * Conclusions

Introduction

Conclusion Defined

Relating Conclusions to Discussion and Summaries

Purpose of Conclusions

Closing Strategies for Effective Conclusions

Things to Avoid in the Conclusions Section

Technical Strategies for Writing Effective Conclusions

Chapter Summary

Review and Discussion Questions

Chapter 16 * Recommendations

Introduction

Recommend Defined

Logical Connections Informing Recommendations

Research Versus Nonresearch Recommendations

Audiences for Recommendations

Characteristics of Effective Recommendations

Language for Communicating Recommendations

Crafting and Organizing Effective Recommendations

Technical Strategies for Presenting Recommendations

Chapter Summary

Review and Discussion Questions

PART VIII * ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYS AND THEORETICAL PAPERS

Chapter 17 * Argumentative Essays: Position, Discussion, and Think-Piece Papers

Introduction

Argumentative Essays

Comparing Position, Discussion, and Think-Piece Papers

Format for Argumentative Papers

Persuasive Writing and Rhetorical Appeals

Deductive and Inductive Argumentation

Logical Fallacies

Chapter Summary

Review and Discussion Questions

Chapter 18 * Conceptual and Theoretical Papers

Introduction

Chapter Caveats

Purpose of Conceptual Versus Theoretical Papers

Structural Elements of Conceptual and Theoretical Papers

Elements of a Conceptual Paper

Elements of a Theoretical Paper

Stage of Theory Being Published in a Theoretical Paper

Rigor in Conceptual and Theoretical Papers

Chapter Summary

Review and Discussion Questions

Appendix

References

Index