Longman / Prentice Hall

English

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Strategies for Empirical Research in Writing
Mary Sue MacNealy, The University of Memphis

ISBN-10: 0205272533
ISBN-13: 9780205272532

Publisher: Longman
Copyright: 1999
Format: Paper; 260 pp
Published: 06/01/1998

Suggested retail price: $82.60
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Strategies for Empirical Research in Writing is a particularly accessible approach to both qualitative and quantitative empirical research methods, helping novices appreciate the value of empirical research in writing while easing their fears about the research process.

This comprehensive text covers research methods ranging from traditional experiments to newer practices such as focus groups, using graphics and real-life examples to clarify concepts. Students and teachers do not need a scientific background to understand the issues involved, and students in the humanities who are often apprehensive about using scientific methods will find this book non-threatening.

Though Strategies for Empirical Research in Writing is friendly and even humorous in tone, it takes research in writing seriously, advocating rigorous design and implementation of empirical research projects to establish credible findings.

Aimed at both student and professional researchers, this book introduces students to methods and strategies for research and provides them with enough knowledge to become discerning, confident consumers of research in writing.

  • Examples of research from both composition and business and technical communications help students see how methods apply to a variety of problems.
  • Examples from everyday life illustrate complex ideas and help students see how concepts apply to “real-life” situations.
  • Conversational tone reduces student anxiety, especially for humanities students apprehensive about statistics and research methods.
  • Chapter 7 on discourse analysis addresses a variety of unique strategies for research in writing.
  • A chapter on feminist and teacher research (Ch. 12) introduces students to current popular empirical research strategies.
  • A chapter on focus groups (Ch. 9) discusses new methodology particularly helpful in technical communication.
  • The wide range of professional journals used as sources provides further resources for exploration.
  • Chapter introductions give students an overview of what they will learn.
  • Vignettes and case studies illustrate more difficult concepts.



Preface.


1.Empirical Research in the Humanities.

Why Do Research in Writing?

Are Empirical Methods Appropriate for Scholars in the Humanities?

What Do We Mean by Research?

How Does Lore Fit In?

Why Do We Need Theory?

How Do Researchers Find Research Topics?



2.Library-Based Research.

What Is Library-Based Research?

Source Credibility.

How to Track Down Material.

How to Collect Information.

Organizing the Literature Review.



3.Overview of Empirical Methodology.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Empirical Research.

Essential Characteristics of Empirical Research.

Purposes and Basic Design Principles.

Common Categories of Empirical Research.



4.Concepts Basic to Quantitative Research.

What Is Quantitative Research?

Reliability.

Validity.

Randomization.

Probability.

The Null Hypothesis.

A Few Words of Encouragement.



5.Experimental Research.

Defining the Research Question.

Types of Experimental Designs.

Techniques for Designing Methods, Materials, and Measurements.

Choosing Subjects.

Mistakes and Errors.

Statistical Analysis of Difference between Groups.

Types of Qualitative Analysis.



6.Meta Analysis.

A Fictional Problem.

Meta Analysis: An Integration Tool.

Selecting Subjects: The Broad Search.

Selecting Subjects: Choosing a Sample.

Analyzing the Results.



7.Discourse or Text Analysis.

What Are Discourse and Text Analysis?

Why Study Discourse?

Choosing Texts to Analyze.

Determining Appropriate Segments for Analysis.

Tools for Analysis.

Types of Discourse Analysis Studies.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Discourse Analysis Studies.



8.Surveys.

Types of Surveys.

Purpose.

Sampling.

Design Issues.

Question Types.

Information Types.

Motivating Respondents.

Test the Questionnaire.

Quantitative Analysis of the Data.



9.Focus Groups.

Focus Group Theory.

Physical Arrangements.

Selection and Recruitment of Participants.

Focus Group Leaders.

Strategies for Conducting the Meeting.

Analyzing the Data.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Focus Group Research.



10.Case Study Research.

Contributions of Case Study Research to Writing Scholarship.

Clearing up the Confusion.

Advantages of Case Study Research.

Disadvantages of Case Study Research.

Increasing Respectability of a Case Study.

Tools for Case Study Research.

Opportunities for Case Study Research.



11.Ethnography.

Ethnographic versus Case Study Research.

Types of Ethnographic Research.

Elements of a Good Ethnographic Research Project.

Errors Commonly Associated with Ethnographic Research.

Tools for Ethnographic Research.

Properly Using Ethnographic Findings.



12.Qualitative Research with Special Lenses: Feminist and Teacher Research.

Criticisms of Traditional Research Paradigms.

Feminist Research.

Teacher Research.

Other Special Lenses.



Index.

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