Research Methods and Applications for Student Affairs

ISBN-13: 9781119299707 / Angielski / Twarda / 2018 / 352 str.

J. Patrick Biddix

Opis

The purpose of this book is to provide graduate students, faculty, and student affairs professionals with a primary textbook and reference guide for conducting and applying research in student affairs. Currently, student affairs academic field does not have a separate text for methods instruction. This textbook is designed meet that need by teaching readers about the role of research in the field, how to interpret its various forms, how to be critical as a research consumer, and how to use research to inform practice. This book would help the students and current practitioners develop and enhance skills in research methods and learn to apply those skills to work contexts. The book would help faculty by providing a single reference that includes applicable and direct examples to the field. It would significantly aid in course preparation by offering a tested approach to sequencing materials, numerous practice assignments to choose from, and a resource for students to use during the class and beyond. Finally, it would help current practitioners, who either kept the book after graduate school, or purchased it later, design and conduct research in their work settings - an increasing expectation in student affairs work contexts.

Spis treści

Foreword by Kristen A. Renn and Larry D. Roper xi

About the Author xv

About This Book xvii

Acknowledgments xxiii

1 Studying Research 1

2 Reading Research 20

3 Framing Research 44

4 Considering Ethics 65

5 Learning Qualitative Research 75

6 Reviewing Documents 95

7 Observing People and Places 117

8 Interviewing Individuals and Groups 137

9 Learning Quantitative Research 161

10 Describing Trends 178

11 Testing Differences 200

12 Assessing Relationships 223

13 Making Predictions 245

14 Exploring Mixed Methods 269

Glossary 291

Index 303

O autorze

J. PATRICK BIDDIX, PHD, is Professor of Higher Education and Associate Director of the Postsecondary Education Research Center (PERC) in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Tennessee. He teaches graduate courses in research, assessment and evaluation, and special topics in higher education and student affairs. In 2015, he received a Fulbright Award to conduct research at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. His areas of expertise include research design and assessment and postsecondary outcomes.

Blurb

A COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE FOR UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING RESEARCH METHODS

Research Methods and Applications for Student Affairs offers students and professionals in the field an authoritative and accessible guide to help navigate research in student affairs. This comprehensive resource on research methods instruction clearly shows how to interpret the various forms of research, how to be critical as a research consumer, and how to use research to inform practice.

Author J. Patrick Biddix a noted scholar and expert in the field presents a detailed overview of three qualitative–focused and four quantitative–focused research methods. The text reviews the basics of these qualitative and quantitative approaches and explores how to differentiate the major types of research as well as how to understand, read, evaluate, and apply results. Biddix also includes important information on using mixed methods approaches.

The user–friendly text includes insights on key issues, as well as descriptions of the individual sections that comprise research studies. Also included is an overview of ethical considerations that apply specifically to student affairs.

Research Methods and Applications for Student Affairs is an essential guide for enhancing research methods′ skills, and offers direction for applying those skills in actual work situations.

PRAISE FOR RESEARCH METHODS AND APPLICATIONS FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS

"Comprehensive, practical, and context–specific, this resource provides both practitioners and students with a guide to understanding, using, and designing research in student affairs."
Laura Dean, Professor, University of Georgia, College Student Affairs Administration

"Student affairs practitioners are faced with an environment in which they are challenged to demonstrate through research studies that their programs, activities, and learning experiences contribute to student learning and growth. This volume offers an excellent foundation as they seek to advance their research skills."
John H. Schuh, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Iowa State University

"A must–have resource for any student affairs practitioner–scholar trying to better understand the often ′unconsumed middle′ of research articles the methods and results/finding sections. A useful guide, with concrete examples on how to read and dissect research articles."
Matthew R. Wawrzynski, Associate Professor and Coordinator, Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education, Michigan State University