Introduction to Educational Research

Introduction to Educational Research guides readers through the various steps of the research methods process to help plan and compose their first educational research project. Through comprehensive chapter content and in-text exercises, readers learn how to prepare a research plan, gather and analyze data, address research questions and hypotheses, and organize reports of their projects. The book is practical and student-friendly; Dr. Craig A. Mertler uses a conversational writing style with non-technical language to help students clearly understand and apply research concepts with no prior familiarity with the principles, procedures, or terminology.

Craig A. Mertler is currently a Professor of Action Research and Quantitative Methods at Barry University in Miami, Florida. He began his career as a high school biology teacher. He has been an educator for 39 years―29 of those in higher education at Bowling Green State University, the University of West Georgia, Lynn University, Arizona State University, and Barry University, and 12 years as an administrator (department chair, doctoral program director, and education dean). Over his career, he has taught courses focused on the application of action research to promote educator empowerment, school improvement, and job-embedded professional development, as well as classroom assessment, research methods, and statistical analyses. 

He has served as the research methodology expert and/or chair on more than 140 doctoral dissertations and master’s theses. He is the author of 30 books, 9 invited book chapters, and 25 refereed journal articles. He has also presented more than 40 research papers at professional meetings around the country, as well as internationally.

He conducts workshops for in-service educational professionals (at all levels) on classroom-based action research and on the topics of classroom assessment and assessment literacy, as well as data-driven educational decision making. His primary research and consulting interests include classroom-based action research, data-driven educational decision making, professional learning communities, and classroom teachers’ assessment literacy. In his leisure time, he enjoys traveling with his family to the beach and sometimes writing a little fiction. Dr. Mertler can be reached at craig.mertler@gmail.com for consulting, professional development, and speaking engagements. Additionally, you can visit his website at www.craigmertler.com.