Errors in Evidence-Based Decision Making: Improving and Applying Research Literacy

Existing research methods textbooks emphasize the mechanics of HOW to conduct research studies. However, many students fail to see WHY it is important to learn about research because they will never conduct research studies. These students do not become engaged in learning and believe that research courses and textbooks are useless. They do not see the need of developing “research literacy” to understand the applications and limitations of research to their daily lives. This book engages students with a nonmathematical presentation that includes real examples of the consequences of research errors in daily life. The organization facilitates learning with objectives, concepts, description of errors, best practices, and examples.

This is a research methods textbook for students who fear research textbooks. The diversity of topics in this book permits application to research methods courses in these academic fields: Economics, Education, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. This should be the first book for all students to introduce research and develop “research literacy”.

Robert W. Janke has a PhD from the Combined Program in Education & Psychology at the University of Michigan. He is Professor of Education at Baldwin Wallace University and has 45 years of practical experience as a teacher, professor, researcher, and licensed psychologist.

Bruce S. Cooper is Professor of Education Leadership, Administration and Policy at Fordham University. He received a PhD from the University of Chicago and has published over 35 books on policy, finance, leadership, and school improvement--- including a book for Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. He has taught at the University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, and as a Visiting Professor at the Institute of Education at the University of London. He also worked with Lord Kenneth Baker, then Secretary of State for Education and Science. He continues to study and write about school reforms, including truancy from schools.