Theoretical Research Programs

Theoretical Research Programs

Author: Joseph Berger

Publisher: Stanford University Press

Published: 1993

Total Pages: 540

ISBN-13: 9780804722308

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Analyzing the structure and growth of major theoretical research programs in the sociological study of group processes, this book considers such topics as exchange processes and network structures, bargaining and conflict, status characteristics and status organizing processes, social interaction, and legitimation processes.


Program Evaluation Theory and Practice

Program Evaluation Theory and Practice

Author: Donna M. Mertens

Publisher: Guilford Press

Published: 2012-02-20

Total Pages: 642

ISBN-13: 1462503241

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This engaging text takes an evenhanded approach to major theoretical paradigms in evaluation and builds a bridge from them to evaluation practice. Featuring helpful checklists, procedural steps, provocative questions that invite readers to explore their own theoretical assumptions, and practical exercises, the book provides concrete guidance for conducting large- and small-scale evaluations. Numerous sample studies—many with reflective commentary from the evaluators—reveal the process through which an evaluator incorporates a paradigm into an actual research project. The book shows how theory informs methodological choices (the specifics of planning, implementing, and using evaluations). It offers balanced coverage of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches. Useful pedagogical features include: *Examples of large- and small-scale evaluations from multiple disciplines. *Beginning-of-chapter reflection questions that set the stage for the material covered. *"Extending your thinking" questions and practical activities that help readers apply particular theoretical paradigms in their own evaluation projects. *Relevant Web links, including pathways to more details about sampling, data collection, and analysis. *Boxes offering a closer look at key evaluation concepts and additional studies. *Checklists for readers to determine if they have followed recommended practice. *A companion website with resources for further learning.


Contemporary Feminist Research from Theory to Practice

Contemporary Feminist Research from Theory to Practice

Author: Patricia Leavy

Publisher: Guilford Publications

Published: 2018-08-09

Total Pages: 321

ISBN-13: 146253628X

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Exploring the breadth of contemporary feminist research practices, this engaging text immerses the reader in cutting-edge theories, methods, and practical strategies. Chapters review theoretical work and describe approaches to conducting quantitative, qualitative, and community-based research with participants; doing content or media analysis; and evaluating programs or interventions. Ethical issues are addressed and innovative uses of digital media highlighted. The focus is studying gender inequities as they are experienced by individuals and groups from diverse cultural, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and with diverse gender identities. Delving into the process of writing and publishing feminist research, the text covers timely topics such as public scholarship, activism, and arts-based practices. The companion website features interviews with prominent feminist researchers. Pedagogical Features *Case examples of feminist research. *Running glossary of key terms. *Boxes highlighting hot topics and key points for practice. *End-of-chapter discussion questions and activities. *End-of-chapter annotated suggested reading (books, articles, and online resources). *Sample letters to research participants. *Appendix of feminist scholars organized by discipline.


Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences

Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences

Author: Alexander L. George

Publisher: MIT Press

Published: 2005-04-15

Total Pages: 347

ISBN-13: 0262262894

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The use of case studies to build and test theories in political science and the other social sciences has increased in recent years. Many scholars have argued that the social sciences rely too heavily on quantitative research and formal models and have attempted to develop and refine rigorous methods for using case studies. This text presents a comprehensive analysis of research methods using case studies and examines the place of case studies in social science methodology. It argues that case studies, statistical methods, and formal models are complementary rather than competitive. The book explains how to design case study research that will produce results useful to policymakers and emphasizes the importance of developing policy-relevant theories. It offers three major contributions to case study methodology: an emphasis on the importance of within-case analysis, a detailed discussion of process tracing, and development of the concept of typological theories. Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences will be particularly useful to graduate students and scholars in social science methodology and the philosophy of science, as well as to those designing new research projects, and will contribute greatly to the broader debate about scientific methods.


Social Science Research

Social Science Research

Author: Anol Bhattacherjee

Publisher: CreateSpace

Published: 2012-04-01

Total Pages: 156

ISBN-13: 9781475146127

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This book is designed to introduce doctoral and graduate students to the process of conducting scientific research in the social sciences, business, education, public health, and related disciplines. It is a one-stop, comprehensive, and compact source for foundational concepts in behavioral research, and can serve as a stand-alone text or as a supplement to research readings in any doctoral seminar or research methods class. This book is currently used as a research text at universities on six continents and will shortly be available in nine different languages.


The Handbook of Critical Theoretical Research Methods in Education

The Handbook of Critical Theoretical Research Methods in Education

Author: Cheryl E. Matias

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2021-05-12

Total Pages: 369

ISBN-13: 0429614926

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The Handbook of Critical Theoretical Research Methods in Education approaches theory as a method for doing research, rather than as a background framework. Educational research often reduces theory to a framework used only to analyze empirically collected data. In this view theories are not considered methods, and studies that apply them as such are not given credence. This misunderstanding is primarily due to an empiricist stance of educational research, one that lacks understanding of how theories operate methodologically and presumes positivism is the only valid form of research. This limited perspective has serious consequences on essential academic activities: publication, tenure and promotion, grants, and academic awards. Expanding what constitutes methods in critical theoretical educational research, this edited book details 21 educationally just theories and demonstrates how theories are applied as method to various subfields in education. From critical race hermeneutics to Bakhtin’s dialogism, each chapter explicates the ideological roots of said theory while teaching us how to apply the theory as method. This edited book is the first of its kind in educational research. To date, no other book details educationally just theories and clearly explicates how those theories can be applied as methods. With contributions from scholars in the fields of education and qualitative research worldwide, the book will appeal to researchers and graduate students.


Funding a Revolution

Funding a Revolution

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1999-02-11

Total Pages: 300

ISBN-13: 0309062780

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The past 50 years have witnessed a revolution in computing and related communications technologies. The contributions of industry and university researchers to this revolution are manifest; less widely recognized is the major role the federal government played in launching the computing revolution and sustaining its momentum. Funding a Revolution examines the history of computing since World War II to elucidate the federal government's role in funding computing research, supporting the education of computer scientists and engineers, and equipping university research labs. It reviews the economic rationale for government support of research, characterizes federal support for computing research, and summarizes key historical advances in which government-sponsored research played an important role. Funding a Revolution contains a series of case studies in relational databases, the Internet, theoretical computer science, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality that demonstrate the complex interactions among government, universities, and industry that have driven the field. It offers a series of lessons that identify factors contributing to the success of the nation's computing enterprise and the government's role within it.


Cognitive Information Processing: Career Theory, Research, and Practice

Cognitive Information Processing: Career Theory, Research, and Practice

Author: V. Casey Dozier

Publisher: Florida State Open Publishing

Published: 2023-11-30

Total Pages: 610

ISBN-13: 1736577956

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This book's aim is to improve the integration of Cognitive Information Processing (CIP) theory, research, and practice, leading to more cost-effective career interventions that help persons to make informed and careful career decisions over a lifetime. The starting point for the book's content was the 2004 Sampson, Reardon, Peterson, and Lenz book, Career Counseling and Services: A Cognitive Information Processing Approach, which itself was a revision of the 1991 Peterson, Sampson, & Reardon book, Career Development and Services: A Cognitive Approach. We had four goals for this edition of our book. Our first goal was to update the theory, research, and practice of CIP theory from 2004 through the end of 2022. Our second goal was to expand the authors to better reflect the diverse community of practice that has emerged for CIP theory over the past eighteen years. Our third goal was to remove cost as a potential barrier to disseminating knowledge about CIP theory by making the book accessible as an open-access publication through the Florida State Open Publishing. Finally, our fourth goal was to disseminate the book via open-source software available in libraries which can be used to make periodic book content updates more feasible.


Introduction to Educational Research

Introduction to Educational Research

Author: W. Newton Suter

Publisher: SAGE

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 529

ISBN-13: 1412995736

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W. Newton Suter argues that what is important in a changing education landscape is the ability to think clearly about research methods, reason through complex problems and evaluate published research. He explains how to evaluate data and establish its relevance.