- State the purpose of non-experimental research. Identify the five types of designs described in this chapter.
- State the purpose of descriptive research and indicate its importance to educational research. Describe two limitations associated with this type of research design.
- Define the term developmental study.
- Differentiate longitudinal studies from cross-sectional studies.
- Identify the standards for judging the quality of descriptive research and apply these standards to a descriptive study.
- Discuss the importance of describing relationships, other than causal, to educational researchers.
- State the purpose of comparative research. Describe two limitations associated with this design.
- Identify the standards for judging the quality of comparative research and apply these standards to a comparative study.
- State the purpose of correlational research. Identify two types of correlations studies and discuss the characteristics of each. Identify the factors that can affect the results of correlational research and the issues related to interpreting these results.
- Describe path analysis, logistic regression, and structural equation modeling.
- Identify the standards for judging the quality of correlational research and apply these standards to a correlational study.
- State the purpose of survey research and identify three reasons for its popularity in educational research. Outline the steps used to conduct survey research and discuss the importance of each step.
- Discuss the advantages and limitations of Internet-based surveys for both email and web-based surveys.
- Identify the standards for judging the quality of survey research and apply these standards to a survey study.
- State the purpose of ex post facto research and discuss the unique characteristics of this design. Outline the steps used to conduct ex post facto research and discuss the importance of each step. Discuss the limitations related to the interpretation of the results of ex post facto designs.
- Identify the standards for judging the quality of ex post facto research and apply these standards to an ex post facto study.
