Educational Research

Unless you have specific training in social science – and specifically educational – research, the thought of doing this type of study can be a little daunting. However, with some guidance and a willingness to learn, educational research can be exciting and rewarding, particularly given the vast amounts of data generated on a regular basis within such programs. This chapter presents information about the various types of research approaches – both qualitative and quantitative – used in educational research after a discussion about some of the reasons, so many are firmly rooted in quantitative approaches. It goes on to provide guidance for creating educational research studies while introducing methodologies, key terms, and data collection methods for both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A section covering the differences between the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Institutional Review Board (IRB) and a discussion of the importance of ethics in research are included, and the chapter concludes with a brief discussion of reporting results.