Research Methods for Education

The strength of [this] book lies in its extensive coverage of a wide range of research designs, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques relevant to educational research. It expertly guides students through quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches, equipping them with the tools necessary to navigate the complexities of educational research. The inclusion of real-world examples and case studies further enhances the students′ understanding of the application of research methods in educational settings. [T]he book is written in a clear and accessible manner. – Dunja TrunkA well-organized, articulate, and engaging introduction to the principles of educational research. – Mary Dereshiwsky * Pre-revision review *This text provides a broad overview and introduction to research methods and processes for teacher researchers. It allows the readerto understand the options of how to move forward with their research project in education. – Dr. Stefanie Boutelier * Pre-revision review *Comprehensive, easy to understand, covers a broad variety of topics. – Jagdish KhubchandaniProvides great examples throughout and conceptually pushes students to think about research methods in terms of what they read and what they do. – Erin M. Ramirez * Pre-revision review *The book offers clear, applicable examples and discussions for important lessons in research. It is formatted for readability and engagement. Students would find the text boxes and prompts encouraging as they work to understand new concepts and processes. – Maria Gray * Pre-revision review *Privitera and Ahlgrim-Delzell have masterfully approached educational research methods in the way this discipline deserves: through a problem-focused paradigm that outlines the process students will follow in deciding how to tackle the thorny problems of our beloved profession. As a current K-12 practitioner with a doctorate in higher education administration who has taught graduate-level research methods for the past 15 years, I strongly recommend this text. It′s readable, problem-focused, accessible, and edifying. – Dr. Jeff SavageThis text provides a comprehensive and detailed introduction and overview to qualitative methodologies, methods of data collection and analysis, and guidelines for rigorous and ethical conduct of qualitative inquiry, all through a critical theoretical lens. – Amira Proweller, PhDHas detailed information on various topics so that I can use with either my master′s or doctoral students. – Tracy M. WalkerPrivitera concisely and simply addresses the research process and gives students the ability to understand the basic research strategies. – Scott Drabenstot

Sandra L. Dika

Sandra L. Dika is a professor of educational research at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She has taught graduate-level research methods courses since 2010 and served as Ph.D. program director from 2018 to 2025. A first-generation college graduate, she earned her B.Ed. and M.Sc. from the University of Alberta and her Ph.D. in educational research and evaluation from Virginia Tech. Prior to UNC Charlotte, she held positions at the University of Puerto Rico–Mayagüez, Virginia Tech, and Brown University.

Dr. Dika’s research focuses on college access, student success, and equity for historically underserved and minoritized populations. She has published more than 75 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and proceedings papers, and has led research funded by the Spencer Foundation, National Science Foundation, and the John M. Belk Endowment. She also serves as an external evaluator for STEM education initiatives.

Her teaching and mentorship have earned her the UNC Charlotte College of Education’s Excellence in Teaching and Excellence in Research Awards, and she was named a Catalyst Research Fellow in 2018. She has chaired or served on over 40 dissertation committees and has mentored more than 20 student co-authors, with two of her dissertation advisees receiving dissertation of the year awards. Dr. Dika also contributes to graduate curriculum development in research methodology.

Outside of academia, she enjoys hiking, traveling, cheering on her children’s sports and hobbies, and connecting with friends and family over coffee or a shared meal.

Gregory J. Privitera

Gregory J. Privitera is a three-time national-award-winning author and a professor of psychology at St. Bonaventure University. He is a recipient of its highest teaching honor, The Award for Professional Excellence in Teaching, and its highest honor for scholarship, The Award for Professional Excellence in Research and Publication. Dr. Privitera received his PhD in behavioral neuroscience in the field of psychology at the State University of New York at Buffalo and continued with his postdoctoral research at Arizona State University.

His texts span diverse topics in psychology and the behavioral sciences and include an introductory psychology text, three statistics texts, two research methods texts, and multiple other texts bridging knowledge creation across health, health care, and analytics. In addition, Dr. Privitera has authored more than three dozen peer-reviewed papers aimed at advancing our understanding of health, health literacy, and informing policy in health care. His research has earned recognition by the American Psychological Association and in media.

He mentors a variety of undergraduate research projects at St. Bonaventure University, where dozens of students, many of whom have gone on to earn graduate and doctoral degrees at various institutions, have coauthored and presented research work. In addition to his teaching, research, and advisement, Dr. Privitera is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, is an identical twin, and is married with two daughters, Grace Ann and Charlotte Jane, and two sons, Aiden Andrew and Luca James.