Research and Evaluation Methods in Special Education

In an era when government policy emphasizes scientifically based research (No Child Left Behind) this book provides an important resource in understanding what this means.Diane Browder Snyder Distinguished Professor of Special EducationUniversity of North Carolina CharlotteThis is a superb book. I learned by reading it and I found myself rethinking some of my own thinking about research on individuals with disabilities.James E. Ysseldyke ProfessorUniversity of MinnesotaLearn how research can lead to improved skills and contribute to successful lives.When face-to-face with the challenge of providing special needs children with a quality education teachers and other educators are often met with the dilemma of inadequate research on the topic or they are uninformed that a framework for critically analyzing and conducting special education research exists. Research-based practice is a powerful tool for success as it can inform educators and others about educational strategies that work.Research and Evaluation Methods in Special Educationis intended to enable educators to design conduct and report research and evaluation in a way that transforms special education by addressing the needs of persons with disabilities as heterogeneous cultural groups. This text provides practical guidance for:Planning research and evaluation Addressing the implications of legislation and program evaluation Using empirically based data for decision-making in a variety of settings Assessing additional research needs in areas such as standards-based reforms personnel development family involvement and new and developing topics in special education Using quantitative research methods including casual comparative correlational single case and survey research Using qualitative methods including identification and selection of research participants information collection and more This excellent resource provides an approach to research and evaluation that helps educators better understand and address the needs of students with various disabilities including blindness mental retardation deafness learning disabilities and more.