Customer Reviews

Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (2nd Edition)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a doctoral student preparing to write my dissertation proposal, this book has been an invaluable asset. The book is clearly written and contains information and suggestions that I would think would be helpful to students working on academic proposals as well as to researchers working on proposals for journal articles. I first read the book in its entirety, and I am now going back through the book taking notes and applying Creswell's (2003) concepts to my own research topic. I especially appreciate Creswell's (2003) description of the mixed methods approach as that is the research strategy I am considering. I would encourage any student or researcher to add this book to his or her library!

I've thoroughly enjoyed (and learned from!) this book, even though research design is something I know well. In fact, as I was reading it I kept nodding my head in agreement with Creswell's statments, as many of the issues he raises are the same as those I struggled with during my time as a graduate student (and without such a wonderful resource). Having access to this treasure early in my dissertation phase would have saved me a lot of time and effort.

I find that the book is also very helpful in the design of research methodology courses, as the way it is structured illuminates many relationships and ideas that can help students in any collegiate course learn.

The people who are giving it low rating seem more offended by its "orientation" than by its effectiveness at guiding one through the research design process and thus have resorted to childish personal attacks on the author. I personally did not have a problem with any of the examples in the book. They did not distract me in the least.

I am a grad student in the midst of writing my doctoral dissertation. Creswell has written an excellent guide for theses and dissertation preparation. What makes this book so relevant is the attention to qualitative, quantitative, and MIXED methodology. I am in education, which is an arena where qualitative and mixed methods are being used and accepted more. The format is easy to follow and not as "technical" as Campbell & Stanley, but now watered-down. I especially liked the additional book recommendations - I even bought a few of them to use as references for my dissertation and as valuable additions to my professional library. I highly suggest that anyone preparing a thesis, dissertation, or research article add the book to their library also.

I thought this book was the exact opposite of "pedantic" and "verbose." In fact, the writing style is easy to read and, at only 200 pages with big text and plenty of tables and references, is not too focused on the details - no book can with that brief page limit. Regardless, this book was my first introduction to research design and it was perfect. The templates for writing qual., quan., and mixed methods papers were basic and simple, but yet thorough.

Finally, the student examples were perfect. If you want to write a pretentious and dense paper where words like "pedantic" are used as a replacement for substantive ideas, will be consigned to the dusty academic graveyard (the library basement), and that no one will read, then by all means disregard this book. If you are aiming quality, impact, and readability, however, then this book is ideal.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by John Creswell.
I found his method of organization very helpful and I would recommend this book for any researcher considering long term research initiatives. The writing is clear with lots of examples and annotated bibliography at the end of each chapter.
John explains concepts so that the reader understands easily the need for mixed method approaches and how they are different.

This is an excellent book which is a real help for my research for my dissertation. I would recommend this book to others who are also trying to find the right methods for their research.

Textbooks are supposed to be dull and obtuse. This one is neither. It clearly explains the different types of research as well as the components of each. Good resource book for anyone working towards an advanced degree or needing to evaluate research.

John W. Creswell's Research Design is an excellent resource for graduate students as well as doctoral students. In addition to addressing qualitative and quantitative approaches separately, it presents mixed methods designs from both practical and scientific perspectives. I coach many doctoral students working on their dissertations and this book is ideal for them because Dr. Creswell makes his points clearly and follows them with dozens of excellent examples. Each one is relevant and appropriate.

Book is an excellent introduction to research design for qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods designs. It explains all the components of a research design and walks you through each one, inclding the literature review, research question and hypotheses. Also, the first chapter goes through the different theoretical perspectives from which reseach proceeds, so you can understand the different paradigms. It also has lots of models, examples and exercises to work through. I used this book for a research proposal, and it guided me through the whole thing. The proposal was well accepted. So, I definately recommend this for any student to learn about research or anyone interested in putting together a good proposal, or an instructor who wants a good core text.

I emphasize from the get-go that I HAD to read this book. No one reads books like these for the fun of it.

But with that said, I did learn alot from Creswell. The book has a discussion about the differences between quantitative research where you are testing a hypothesis, and qualitative research, which often involves more case studies and social science research.

Creswell also highlights mixed methods research, which is what I will be doing in my program.

There are discussions about the different approaches to quantitative and qualitative research. The post-positivist approach where it is contended that nothing can be known with certainty. There is also a pragmatic approach and a couple of other approaches.

The book was really dull. But I forced myself to read it, and learned some of the basic approaches to field work.