Sam Shields

This core text, now in its second edition, provides an easy-to-read, comprehensive introduction to educational research that will develop your understanding of research strategies, theories and methods, giving you the confidence and enthusiasm to discuss and write about your research effectively. Specifically written for undergraduate education studies students, the book guides you through the process of planning a research project, the different research methods available and how to carry out your research and write it up successfully. Highlighting the theoretical and methodological debates and discussing important ethical and practical considerations, the book is structured to help you tackle all the different aspects of your project from writing your literature review, designing a questionnaire and analysing your data to the final writing up. This new edition is updated throughout with activities, case studies and further reading lists. New chapters include:Mixed-methods research. Narrative inquiry. Creative and visual research methods. Extended chapter on research with children and vulnerable groups. Part of the Foundations of Education Studies series, this timely new edition is essential reading for students undertaking a research methods course or a piece of educational research.

This core text, now in its second edition, provides an easy-to-read, comprehensive introduction to educational research that will develop your understanding of research strategies, theories and methods, giving you the confidence and enthusiasm to discuss and write about your research effectively. Specifically written for undergraduate education studies students, the book guides you through the process of planning a research project, the different research methods available and how to carry out your research and write it up successfully. Highlighting the theoretical and methodological debates and discussing important ethical and practical considerations, the book is structured to help you tackle all the different aspects of your project from writing your literature review, designing a questionnaire and analysing your data to the final writing up. This new edition is updated throughout with activities, case studies and further reading lists. New chapters include:Mixed-methods research. Narrative inquiry. Creative and visual research methods. Extended chapter on research with children and vulnerable groups. Part of the Foundations of Education Studies series, this timely new edition is essential reading for students undertaking a research methods course or a piece of educational research.

This book explores the experiences of working-class women undergraduates at three universities in the North of England. The author examines the women’s identities, choices and emotions in relation to higher education; and how they reframe their constrained university choices to maximise their chances of academic success. Highlighting differences in working-class women’s learner identities, caring commitments and quests for upwards social mobility, the book offers an understanding of working-class female student journeys and their mixture of compromise, uncertainty and hope. It will be of interest and value to scholars of working-class women students, widening participation, and sociologists of education.

This book explores the experiences of working-class women undergraduates at three universities in the North of England. The author examines the women’s identities, choices and emotions in relation to higher education; and how they reframe their constrained university choices to maximise their chances of academic success. Highlighting differences in working-class women’s learner identities, caring commitments and quests for upwards social mobility, the book offers an understanding of working-class female student journeys and their mixture of compromise, uncertainty and hope. It will be of interest and value to scholars of working-class women students, widening participation, and sociologists of education.

Educational researchers take a number of decisions that define the credibility and scope of their enquiry – the approaches they adopt, the strategies they employ, the methods they use and the ways they present their findings. This core text provides an easy-to-read, comprehensive introduction to educational research that will develop your understanding of research strategies, theories and methods. Specifically written for undergraduate education studies students, the book guides you through the process of planning a research project, the different research methods available and how to carry out your research and write it up successfully. Highlighting the theoretical and methodological debates and discussing important ethical and practical considerations, the book is structured to help you tackle all the different aspects of your project from writing your literature review, designing a questionnaire and analysing your data to the final writing up. The book will give you the confidence and enthusiasm to discuss and write about your research effectively. Features include: extension tasks -- to introduce new material and encourage you to think critically case studies -- with information on important studies and examples of research that have utilised specific approaches practical advice and tips -- to help you relate the topics discussed to your own on-going project work annotated further reading lists -- providing you with an opportunity to access more detailed and specific resources. Part of the Foundations of Education Studies series, this timely textbook is essential reading for students undertaking a research methods course or a piece of educational research.

Educational researchers take a number of decisions that define the credibility and scope of their enquiry – the approaches they adopt, the strategies they employ, the methods they use and the ways they present their findings. This core text provides an easy-to-read, comprehensive introduction to educational research that will develop your understanding of research strategies, theories and methods. Specifically written for undergraduate education studies students, the book guides you through the process of planning a research project, the different research methods available and how to carry out your research and write it up successfully. Highlighting the theoretical and methodological debates and discussing important ethical and practical considerations, the book is structured to help you tackle all the different aspects of your project from writing your literature review, designing a questionnaire and analysing your data to the final writing up. The book will give you the confidence and enthusiasm to discuss and write about your research effectively. Features include: extension tasks -- to introduce new material and encourage you to think critically case studies -- with information on important studies and examples of research that have utilised specific approaches practical advice and tips -- to help you relate the topics discussed to your own on-going project work annotated further reading lists -- providing you with an opportunity to access more detailed and specific resources. Part of the Foundations of Education Studies series, this timely textbook is essential reading for students undertaking a research methods course or a piece of educational research.