HarrellGuides: Medical Education Research: Selecting Research Methods

Statistics in Educational Research

The following titles are available through University Libraries. If a book is not available at Harrell Health Sciences Library in Hershey, you can request that it be sent here free of charge using the "I Want It" service.

Basic Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences by Kenneth D. Hopkins; B. R. Hopkins; Gene V. Glass
ISBN: 0205160867
Publication Date: 1996
AVAILABLE IN PRINT THROUGH PENN STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
Measurement and Assessment in Teaching by Robert L. Linn; Norman Edward Gronlund
ISBN: 013878356X
Publication Date: 2000
AVAILABLE IN PRINT AT HARRELL HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY
Sage Research Methods Online
Search for statistical primers and information about specific tests. Searches across 600+ online books and encyclopedias. AVAILABLE ONLINE THROUGH LIBRARY

Exploring Methods? Start Here!

"Review article: medical education research: an overview of methods."
"Quantitative and qualitative methods in medical education research: AMEE Guide No 90: Part I."
A primer on the contrast between qualitative and quantitative research methods, describing the theory supporting each, and descriptions of various study designs.
"Quantitative and qualitative methods in medical education research: AMEE Guide No 90: Part II."
Part II of preceding article,

General Considerations for Research

For information on generalizability, reliability, and validity in medical education research, see articles in Conducting Research in Health Professions Education, free from the AAMC.

Using Quantitative and Experimental Designs

"Method and reporting quality in health professions education research: a systematic review."
See pg. 231 for handy list of components to include in write-up of experimental research.
"Reflections on experimental research in medical education."
Describes the most common issues leading to lack of rigor in experimental designs in medical education.
Ten Cate O. "What happens to the student? The neglected variable in educational outcome research."
"The Survey Checklist (Manifesto)."
Very useful do's and don'ts when creating a survey.

Beyond Quantitative : Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research

Quality criteria in qualitative and quantitative research."
One-page primer comparing strategies for minimizing bias and increasing quality for qualitative vs. quantitative research.
Introducing medical educators to qualitative study design: Twelve tips from inception to completion.
Using focus groups in medical education research: AMEE Guide No. 91.
Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups.
"The criteria included in COREQ, a 32-item checklist, can help researchers to report important aspects of the research team, study methods, context of the study, findings, analysis and interpretations."
Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research: A Synthesis of Recommendations
21 items that should be addressed in your write-up of a qualitative research project.
Understanding Qualitative and Quantitative Research Paradigms in Academic Medicine
One-page comparison of the 2 paradigms.

Systematic Reviews in Medical Education

The library now offers a systematic review service. Ask us how we can partner with you.

Best Evidence on Medical and Health Professional Education (BEME)
View their methodology for conducting effective systematic reviews in education.
"Conducting systematic reviews in medical education: a stepwise approach."
Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument
This article contains the MERSQI, a 10-item instrument to help you appraise the quality of a medical education research study. This could be used to appraise the quality of included studies when conducting systematic reviews of education research.