You are here

How to Read and Understand Educational Research
Share

How to Read and Understand Educational Research



March 2020 | 192 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

How do education students effectively interpret the research that underpins much of their learning? How do they judge whether results are valid or relevant?

This is the perfect guide to engaging with educational research. It explores how to read journal articles critically; what key academic terms really mean; different approaches to educational research, how they are used and what they aim to uncover, and how high quality findings can be meaningful for teaching and learning.

Supported by examples that demonstrate the use (and misuse) of research in education, this is essential reading for initial teacher education students at all levels (BA(Ed), PGCE, School Direct), students on any undergraduate or postgraduate course underpinned by educational research literature.

 
Part 1: Assessing research
 
Chapter 1: The hierarchy of research publications
 
Chapter 2: Where to find good research and how to reference it properly
 
Chapter 3: Organising your research reading and avoiding bias
 
Part 2: Analysing research
 
Chapter 4: Understanding research paradigms
 
Chapter 5: Research methods - an overview
 
Chapter 6: How research is written
 
Part 3: Appreciating and understanding research
 
Chapter 7: Understanding criticality
 
Chapter 8: A critical analysis framework
 
Chapter 9: Putting research into practice

I will be recommending this title for my reading lists. It is a clear and supportive read for undergraduate students.

Mrs Claire Vuckovic
Faculty of Education (Lancaster), University of Cumbria
July 6, 2022

I think this text offers an interesting introductory set of linked chapters to help students get going - a wide range of topics dealt with clearly and briefly - always a helpful thing in early stages

Dr Richard Parker
Education,Communication & Language Sciences, Newcastle University
September 3, 2021

A well structured book that helps to gain an understanding of some of the key elements of social science research. The author uses examples which helps to make sense of the information, and explains concepts in a straightforward way. I feel the text would be useful alongside a research methods text to help students understand some of the ideas.

Miss Rachael Anne Mason
School of Health & Social Care, Lincoln University
May 30, 2020