A Guide to Practitioner Research in Education

This book, with its focus on practitioner research in education, will certainly be of value to practitioner researchers who find the more generic books on social science research methods not tackling the specific challenges they face in sufficient detail. -- Paul Davies * Educational Review *
This text provides informative and accessible coverage of the practitioner research process which will be of particular use to my honours year students. The text is careful in its use of chosen terminology in an attempt not to alienate or patronise readers. I particularly like that the text is set within the UK context, drawing on the similarities and differences in the professional contexts of the different education systems within the UK; this is a real plus for Scottish students who often have to translate English-focused UK texts into the Scottish context. The structure works well and each chapter provides a good blend of description, argument, theory, exemplification and prompts for thinking. I will definitely be recommending that my honours year students make use of it. -- Dr Aileen Kennedy * drupal *
This book is highly recommended for students who are considering participating in research for the first time. It takes the reader through the various stages of thinking about a research project and provides useful and up to date further reading that would help a researcher explore areas in more detail. The frequent use of check lists, diagrams and working documents make the text accessible and practically oriented. -- Dr Alaster Douglas * drupal *
Accessible and well-laid out text. Relevant and useful. -- Dr Jane Bulkeley * drupal *
We have two year 2 compulsory Research Methods modules (one in semester 1 and the other in semester 2) on our BSc Education single and combined programmes which will start this October. The programmes will have many students who wish to go into teaching as a career and hence this text will be very useful in helping our students to think through development of their project ideas from a practitioner perspective and this will compliment other research methods texts which may have less of a practitioner specific focus. This will continue to be a very useful text when students are actually undertaking their dissertation in their final year. -- Dr Julie Price * drupal *
perfect: a real gem! -- Dr Liane Purnell * drupal *
This book provides a very good introduction to practitioner research for teachers and other educators. -- Dr Manuela Heinz * drupal *
This title is recommended to our students embarking on their teaching practise to build up their reflection and research skills. It is a clearly written book with a friendly layout covering the key aspects of practitioner research. -- Dr Mario Moya * drupal *
Provides an accessible understanding to the practices of academic research. A very useful addition to the module reading list. -- Dr Peter Day * drupal *
We are always looking for books that relate practice to theory and this one does just that. Most of our students are interested in action research which is a component in this book and worth consulting -- Dr Tony Morgan * drupal *
There are several books we recommend for research methods and guidance, and this will now be one of them. It is clear and informative, not too offputting for students. It meets the needs of our students who are new to practitioner research. -- Karen Lockney * drupal *
Presented in a logical format, easy to understand and allows the student to grasp difficulty research concepts with ease. Some practical overviews, a hands on book! -- Miss Emma Morris * drupal *
A very useful and up-to-date book, which guides the researcher through the process, step-by-step. -- Mr Andy Stopher * drupal *
The question based approach to the organisation of the content will appeal to those who are put off by an overly technical style. This is a very down to earth approach to the research process that should help a variety of educators and practitioners -- Mr Brian McGowan * drupal *
This text is great for learners undertaking research on level three especially going for the higher grades, the book is also appears really useful at the Levels 4 – 6 and for these could become a core reading book similar to the Bell research books but with more sector relevance and great pictorial examples. -- Mr David Corry-Bass * drupal *
I like in particular the chapters on analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, as it is sometimes difficult to get clear guidance on these issues -- Mr Mike Lambert * drupal *
a very practical tool for all practitioner researchers in the field of education. Helps to develop research skills coupled with collecting data, differing approaches, -- Mr Noel Ronan * drupal *
Excellent material for both private study and classroom reading. I have recommended to both my cohorts. -- Mr Tyrone Perry-Harry * drupal *
As much it is a valuable book, we are going to go with the Valsa Koshy (2010) book instead - Action Research for Improving Educational Practise -- Mr Warren Evans * drupal *
A practical and instructive text with useful diagrams, websites and further reading. The chapter titles are the questions beginning researchers ask. -- Mrs Ann Jones * drupal *
Very useful text and essential for those undertaking research within educational settings. -- Mrs Anne Smith * drupal *
This book takes the reader by the hand and takes them through the stages of setting up, undertaking and reporting a research project.
The chapters are clearly defined and within the chapters key elements and theory are explored to support the development of a students′ research.
Relevant signposting to further reading with good illustrative examples. -- Mrs Catherine Carden * drupal *
A book for all teachers and student teachers who are interested in researching particular areas in education. Easy to understand research methods and terminology. -- Mrs Cheryl Hine * drupal *
What an excellent book for students who are training to be teachers (PGCE/CertEd). This book is very user friendly and gives practical advice and guidance on starting the research project. -- Mrs Cheryl Hine * drupal *
This text supports the research process in a clear, informative and easily understood style. -- Mrs Freda Cummings * drupal *
Useful for the research task and for those going on to university. -- Mrs Jan Roberts * drupal *
Interesting information which specifically deals with issues faced by teachers seeking to undertaks their own research and this will be of relevance to some of my students and provide clearer guidelines than other general research guides.

Too focused on teachers in schools rather than the wider field of educational practitioners. -- Mrs Mary Karpel * drupal *
For a beginners course in action research this book does not provide the students with step by step guidance to augment the course. -- Mrs Raena De Four * drupal *
An excellent book which I will be recommending to both PGCE and BA students. This book is useful for students new to research or the more experienced researcher. A book that you can dip in and out of. -- Mrs Ruth Baxter * drupal *
This book is an easily readable guide to research, particularly for students participating in research for the first time as it takes the reader step by step through the various stages of thinking about a research project. The examples used and the further reading make it particularly useful. -- Mrs Ruth Nagus * drupal *
An excellent, easily readable guide to research. -- Mrs Suzanne Sinclair * drupal *
This book is going to be a useful tool to my learners to enable them to carry out research. I have recommended the book to all students and to the library. -- Mrs Tracy Stokes * drupal *
A guide to Practical Research in Education is an accessible yet comprehensive guide to research suitable for experienced and novice researchers alike.

The chapters follow a logical pattern and are broken into subheadings making it easy to locate required information quickly. Particulary useful are the short chapter intoroductions, followed by the intoroduction of key items and concepts contained within the chapter. Also at the end of the chapters the summary, useful websites and further reading are within easy reach.

The book also includes many useful diagrams and tables.

Writeen in a non-technical / jargon style the book deserves a whide audience. -- Ms Eklaine Vatandoust * drupal *
I read the table of content found this is a easy -to-read publication for our Master of Education students. In this Med course, the Research methodology module is compulsary and I believe that this book will be recommended in 2012. This book is well structured and organised in simple way. Good illustrations to support with excellent explanations of data collection and analysis. Well done. Good binding book.

Thank you to all the scholars with this great publication.

Prof Micheal van Wyk
-- Professor Micheal Van Wyk * drupal *
Useful, practical, clear guide. -- Sue Brindley * drupal *
A solid book that will enable our students to pursue practioner research. Linrary copy ordered. -- William Hawkridge * drupal *