This market-leading book offers all the skills and procedures readers need to become competent consumers and producers of educational research. It uses a direct, step-by-step approach to the topic, while placing a strong emphasis on evaluation of reader performance. The accessible writing style and light, humorous tone demystify this demanding course. This comprehensive instructional resource encompasses the full spectrum of the field, making it appropriate as a core book for an introductory course in educational research. Includes expanded coverage of qualitative methods and learning to read and evaluate research effectively. Helps readers develop a complete quantitative research study, a qualitative research design, and an action research design. For professionals in the field of educational research.