The third edition of the bestselling text "Research Design" enables readers to compare three approaches to research - qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods - in a single research methods text. The book presents these three approaches side by side within the context of the process of research from the beginning steps of philosophical assumptions to the writing and presenting of research. The third edition presents the preliminary steps of using philosophical assumptions in the beginning of the book. It provides an expanded discussion on ethical issues. It emphasizes new Web-based technologies for literature searches. It offers updated information about mixed-methods research procedures. It contains a glossary of terms.

Table of Contents

PREFACE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PART I. PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS 1. Selection of Research Design 2. Review of the Literature 3. The Use of Theory 4. Writing Strategies and Ethical Considerations PART II. DESIGNING RESEARCH 5. The Introduction 6. The Purpose Statement 7. Research Questions and Hypotheses 8. Quantitative Methods 9. Qualitative Procedures 10. Mixed Methods Procedures GLOSSARY REFERENCES AUTHOR INDEX SUBJECT INDEX ABOUT THE AUTHOR

About the Author

I am a Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where I teach courses and write about research design, qualitative methodology, and mixed methods research. I have been at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for 30 years and have authored or co-authored 19 books in original copy and in editions. Most of these books address research methods and methodologies. In addition, I founded the Office of Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus that provided campus support for scholars incorporating qualitative and mixed methods research into projects for extramural funding. I have also held the Clifton Research Endowed Chair at Nebraska. I served as the founding and Co-Editor for the new Sage journal, the Journal of Mixed Methods Research, and I have been an Adjunct Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan and have been a consultant to the Veterans Affairs Health Science Research Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I was selected to be a Senior Fulbright Scholar and visited South Africa in October, 2008, bringing mixed methods concepts to universities and studying documentaries about AIDS victims and families. In February 2012 I will visit Thailand as a Senior Fulbright Scholar on mixed methods. I play the piano, write short stories, and actively engage in sports.