Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches [Paperback]

John W. Creswell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2008 | ISBN-10: 1412965578 | ISBN-13: 978-1412965576 | Edition: 3rd

                The Bestselling Text is Completely Updated and Better than Ever!

Praise for the Third Edition:

“I have used the older edition with great success. The new one is even better.”
—Kathleen Duncan, University of La Verne

The Third Edition of the bestselling text Research Design by John W. Creswell enables readers to compare three approaches to research—qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods—in a single research methods text. The book presents these three approaches side by side within the context of the process of research from the beginning steps of philosophical assumptions to the writing and presenting of research. Written in a user-friendly manner, Creswell's text does not rely on technical jargon. He cuts to the core of what a reader needs to know to read and design research in part by showcasing ideas in a scaffold approach so that the reader understands ideas from the simple to the complex.

Key updates to the Third Edition

• Presents the preliminary steps of using philosophical assumptions in the beginning of the book
• Provides an expanded discussion on ethical issues
• Emphasizes new Web-based technologies for literature searches
• Offers updated information about mixed methods research procedures
• Contains a glossary of terms
• Highlights “research tips” throughout the chapters incorporating the author’s experiences over the last 35 years

The Instructor’s Resource site at http://www.sagepub.com/creswell3einstr/ contains: 

• Sample Syllabi
• PowerPoint Slide Sets
• Sample Student Proposals
• Suggested Studies Published in Journal Articles
• Application Activities and Tutorial
• Peer-Feedback Group Activities
• Study Design Group Activities
• End-of-Chapter Checklists

The Student Study Site at www.sagepub.com/creswellstudy offers:

• Sample Student Proposals
• Application Activities and Tutorials
• Peer-Feedback Group Activities
• Study Design Group Activities
• End-of-Chapter Checklists

Research Design, Third Edition appeals to students taking research design and research methods classes throughout the social and behavioral sciences—from undergraduates to the most advanced doctoral programs.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John W. Creswell is a Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He teaches courses on mixed methods research, qualitative inquiry, and general research design. In these three areas, he has authored numerous scholarly journal articles, book chapters and books. He is currently working on his 22^nd book (including new editions), and his books are translated into many languages around the world. At Nebraska he founded the Office of Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research and has held the Clifton Endowed Chair. He also co-founded the SAGE journal, the Journal of Mixed Methods Research, and has been a popular speaker on mixed methods and qualitative research in the US and abroad. As an applied research methodologist, he served as an Adjunct Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan and as a consultant for the VA health services research unit in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As a methodologist, he helped to design the methods for a number of successful NIH and NSF projects. He has been a Senior Fulbright Specialist scholar to both South Africa (2008) and Thailand (2012) lecturing on qualitative and mixed methods approaches to research. Recently, he served as a co-leader of a national working group developing “best practices” for mixed methods research at the National Institutes of Health in the US. Visit him at his Web site: johnwcreswell.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc; 3rd edition (July 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1412965578
• ISBN-13: 978-1412965576
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.6 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Methodology
  • #1 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Research
  • #1 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Methodology

More About the Author

John W. Creswell is a Professor of Educational Psychology at Teachers College, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is affiliated with a graduate program in educational psychology that specializes in quantitative and qualitative methods in education. In this program, he specializes in qualitative and quantitative research designs and methods, multimethod research, and faculty and academic leadership issues in colleges and universities.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable for researchers and PhD students May 22, 2009

By Layla Halabi VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I initially bought this book when I writing the proposal for my PhD about three years ago and Cresswell's little gem proved invaluable during that time. The book is very well written and unlike other books on the topic, Cresswell is not content with explaining theory and providing examples but goes further to provide excellent templates for the process, writing, structure, and format of every phase of the research process. These 'templates,' coupled with a clear writing style and an excellent, logical structure, elevate the book from 'very useful' to 'invaluable' in my opinion.

For example, in chapter 4: The Introduction, he begins by explaining the purpose of the Introduction and its importance and then provides models for writing introduction in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research. This format is mirrored in almost every chapter including Chapter 2: Review of the literature where he provides an excellent process for maximizing the effectiveness of the initial literature review process. In Chapter 5, he simplifies purpose statements with step-by-step guidelines for the three methodologies while in Chapter 6 he does the same for the research questions and hypotheses.

While Cresswell is an Educational Researcher himself, he does not limit the examples in the book to his field but endeavors to include samples from the social and human sciences including justice, management, psychology, sociology and marketing. These numerous examples throughout every chapter of the book serve to illustrate the templates and guidelines effectively, leaving little doubt in the reader's mind on the 'how' of applying the guidelines.

Overall, this is the best of the pick if you need clear, straightforward guidelines on writing a proposal or planning your research project. If you are considering a Mixed Methods methodolgy, then I would strongly recommend Creswell's other book, written with Vicki Clark, Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Beginning Researchers November 14, 2009

By Jody Maloney

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

My impression of "Research Design" is that Creswell sincerely wanted readers to understand how to conduct thorough research with confidence. While I focused more on the chapters on qualitative and mixed-methods research, the quantitative chapter was equally easy to understand as the more inquiry-based methods. As an education student, I've always feared doing quantitative research, however this book makes it as available and comprehensible as either of the other two methods discussed. However, I would venture to guess that if you were in a highly technical field, this book would not suffice to supply you with the complete methodologies to conduct quantitative research.
The author conveniently structures each chapter with the learner in mind. For each section of the book, Creswell supplies easy to follow steps and checklists for students and researchers to cover most angles of research. At the completion of each chapter (all of which are short and easy to digest), there is a small section on writing practice to provide practical application for the reader who might not have a professor to rely on for further instruction, or for the professor who wants an easy, practical assignment right from the text. I studied this book independently, and while I feel a second read through might be in order, it was absolutely easy to understand and useful in my independent study.
I recommend this book for its straightforward style and practical approach to conducting basic research.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Back to school July 29, 2010

By Tommy D. Thomas

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book was required for a Master's research class. It is detailed, but easy to read, and I read every page! This is one for the bookcase, if you're involved in research report writing, you'll want this around as a reference.