Written for students, educators, and researchers, "Methods in Educational Research" offers a refreshing introduction to the principles of educational research. Designed for the real world of educational research, the book's approach focuses on the types of problems likely to be encountered in professional experiences. Reflecting the importance of The No Child Left Behind Act, "scientifically based" educational research, school accountability, and the professional demands of the twenty-first century, "Methods in Educational Research" empowers educational researchers to take an active role in conducting research in their classrooms, districts, and the greater educational community--activities that are now not only expected but required of all teachers. The book is divided into 15 chapters: (1) Introduction to Educational Research; (2) Identifying and Researching a Topic; (3) The Research Proposal; (4) Measurement in Educational Research and Assessment: Preestablished Instruments and Archival Data; (5) Self-Developed Measures and Qualitative Measurement; (6) Working with Research Participants: Sampling and Ethics; (7) Descriptive-Survey Research; (8) Experimental Research; (9) Nonexperimental Approaches: Causal-Comparative and Correlational Research; (10) Analyzing Quantitative Data; (11) Qualitative Research; (12) Mixed-Methods and Action Research; (13) Organization and Analysis of Qualitative Research Data; (14) Program Evaluation in Education; and (15) Educational Research Can Make a Difference. The following are appended: (1) Sample Qualitative Proposal; (2) Sample Quantitative Proposal; and (3) Calculation of the Standard Deviation. A list of references and an index are also included.