Research Methods in Special Education equips readers with the knowledge needed to make a difference with data. Authors Drs. Brittany L. Hott, Frederick J. Brigham, and Corey Peltier provide access to cutting edge methodologies and related skills researchers need to successfully carry out projects in applied settings. Dedicated chapters focusing on quantitative research synthesis (e.g., meta-analysis, meta-synthesis), single case design, and program evaluation methods allow readers deeply invested in the field of special education to develop a firm foundation, enabling them to ask and answer their socially significant research questions. Written for students in special education teacher prep programs, early career faculty, school administrators, and curriculum specialists, this text includes numerous features that set it apart from other available resources: Dedicated chapters on ethics, establishing effective research partnerships, and evidence-based practice Cutting-edge program evaluation methods and reporting Comprehensive coverage of methods commonly used in special education Detailed information on securing special education funding Case studies, exemplars, resources, and recommendations for additional reading Included with the text are online supplemental materials for faculty use in the classroom. YouTube videos featuring interviews with authors The up-to-date research practices in this text are a valuable addition for educators and researchers serving students with disabilities who have a responsibility to support in-school and post-school outcomes. Research Methods in Special Education gives educators the tools to facilitate a deeper understanding of the research process and evidence-based practice.

This text will enable readers to use tools to design, conduct and report research in a way that transforms, when appropriate, the delivery of special education.

Research Methods in Education introduces research methods as an integrated set of techniques for investigating questions about the educational world. This lively, innovative text helps students connect technique and substance, appreciate the value of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and make ethical research decisions. It weaves actual research "stories" into the presentation of research topics, and it emphasizes validity, authenticity, and practical significance as overarching research goals. The text is divided into three sections: Foundations of Research (5 chapters), Research Design and Data Collection (7 chapters), and Analyzing and Reporting Data (3 chapters). This tripartite conceptual framework honors traditional quantitative approaches while reflecting the growing popularity of qualitative studies, mixed method designs, and school-based techniques. This approach provides a comprehensive, conceptually unified, and well-written introduction to the exciting but complex field of educational research.

`Throughout the book general points are given a concrete illustration by reference to specific examples of special education research. The breadth of reference is a strength of the text, with a bias towards work on deafness and hearing impairment, in which Mertens has a particular interest. Wherever such illustrations are offered, the book comes alive.... there are few sources for a wide range of short accounts of examples of the practice of research in special education. This short book is a convenient and well-organized addition to them' - Division of Educational and Child Psychology Newsletter This book explores ways to adapt research methods from other disciplines to the special education context and provides the reader with a framework for critically analyzing and conducting research in areas where people with disabilities live, learn and work. Identifying people with disabilities as heterogenous cultural groups, and including such disabilities as blindness, learning difficulties and deafness, the authors discuss the implications for planning, conducting and writing research. Topics examined include: the development of research questions; identification of special education populations; sampling issues; appropriate quantitative and qualitative techniques; interpretation issues in data analysis; and directions for future research such as early intervention and school-linked services.

"In an era when government policy emphasizes ′scientifically based research′ (No Child Left Behind), this book provides an important resource in understanding what this means." Diane Browder, Snyder Distinguished Professor of Special Education University of North Carolina, Charlotte "This is a superb book. I learned by reading it, and I found myself rethinking some of my own thinking about research on individuals with disabilities." James E. Ysseldyke, Professor University of Minnesota Learn how research can lead to improved skills and contribute to successful lives. When face-to-face with the challenge of providing special needs children with a quality education, teachers and other educators are often met with the dilemma of inadequate research on the topic, or they are uninformed that a framework for critically analyzing and conducting special education research exists. Research-based practice is a powerful tool for success, as it can inform educators and others about educational strategies that work. Research and Evaluation Methods in Special Education is intended to enable educators to design, conduct, and report research and evaluation in a way that transforms special education by addressing the needs of persons with disabilities as heterogeneous, cultural groups. This text provides practical guidance for: Planning research and evaluation Addressing the implications of legislation and program evaluation Using empirically based data for decision-making in a variety of settings Assessing additional research needs in areas such as standards-based reforms, personnel development, family involvement, and new and developing topics in special education Using quantitative research methods, including casual comparative, correlational, single case, and survey research Using qualitative methods, including identification and selection of research participants, information collection, and more This excellent resource provides an approach to research and evaluation that helps educators better understand and address the needs of students with various disabilities, including blindness, mental retardation, deafness, learning disabilities, and more.

Divided into two volumes, Handbook of Special Education Research provides a comprehensive overview of critical issues in special education research. This first volume addresses key topics in theory, methods, and development, exploring how these three domains interconnect to build effective special education research. Each chapter features considerations for future research and implications for fostering continuous improvement and innovation. Essential reading for researchers and students of special education, this handbook brings together diverse and complementary perspectives to help move the field forward.

"Research Methods in Special Education equips readers with the knowledge needed to make a difference with data. Authors Drs. Brittany L. Hott, Frederick J. Brigham, and Corey Peltier provide access to cutting edge methodologies and related skills researchers need to successfully carry out projects in applied settings. Dedicated chapters focusing on quantitative research synthesis (e.g., meta-analysis, meta-synthesis), single case design, and program evaluation methods allow readers deeply invested in the field of special education to develop a firm foundation, enabling them to ask and answer their socially significant research questions"--