How to Read, Evaluate, and Use Research

Paul A. Schutz, PhD is currently a Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. His research interests include the nature of emotion, the influence of emotional experiences on teachers’ identity development, research methods and issues related to race and social justice. He has several publications related to the use of mixed methods and has taught a variety of different research methods course, including qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research courses. He is a past president for Division 15: Educational Psychology of the American Psychological Association and a former co-editor of the Educational Researcher: Research News and Comment, a lead journal for the American Educational Research Association.

• Chapter 1: Introduction and OverviewOrganizing Terms and ConceptsWhy Scientific Literacy Is ImportantNature of Data-Driven Research: Introduction to Research MethodsConclusionChapter 2: Introduction and Overview of Data-Driven ArticlesSearching for Scientific EvidenceHow to Cull Through Data-Driven ArticlesSections of Data-Driven ArticlesResultsConclusionChapter 3: Literature ReviewWhat Is Involved in the Construction of a Useful Literature Review?What Are Some of the Potential Goals of a Literature Review?What Is in the Literature Review?ConclusionChapter 4: Methods and Results: Quantitative ApproachesOverviewQuantitative MethodsPutting It All TogetherChapter 5: Methods and Results: Qualitative ApproachesOverviewQualitative MethodsLooking Out for RigorPutting It All TogetherChapter 6: Methods and Results: Mixed Methods ApproachesOverviewWhat Are Some Benefits Associated With Mixed Method Research?What Are Some Purposes of Mixed Method Research?Integration in Mixed Methods ResearchLooking Out for RigorChapter 7: Putting it All Together - Discussion, Conclusions, and ImplicationsOverviewEnding a Research ArticlePutting It All Together—Reading and Evaluating Research From Start to Finish

This book will support learning for students and researchers in all avenues. Through introduction and development of key research topics, readers will gain a deeper understanding of some of the important fundamental concepts of research.