Designing Randomised Trials in Health, Education and the Social Sciences PDF Download

Author: D. Torgerson
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 0230583997
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 226

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Book Description
The book focuses on the design of rigorous trials rather than their statistical underpinnings, with chapters on: pragmatic designs; placebo designs; preference approaches; unequal allocation; economics; analytical approaches; randomization methods. It also includes a detailed description of randomization procedures and different trial designs.

Author: Paul Connolly
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 1473965888
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 208

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Book Description
The use of randomised controlled trials (RCTs), most commonly a medical sciences research tool, is a hotly debated topic in Education. This book examines the controversial aspects of RCTs in Education and sets out the potential and pitfalls of the method. Drawing on their own extensive experience of running RCTs, and their work at the Centre for Evidence and Social Innovation (CESI) at Queen’s University, Belfast, the authors provide a thorough practical introduction to the use of randomised controlled trials in education. Using real data sets, chapters equip the reader with all of the key knowledge and skills required to design, run, analyse and report an RCT. Coverage includes: · Step-by-step guidance on analysing data · How to assess the reliability and validity of results · Advice on balancing the demands of various stakeholders Essential reading for postgraduate and more experienced researchers, as well as teachers and educationalists seeking to increase their knowledge and understanding of the use of such methods in education.

Author: Peter G. Smith
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0198732864
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 479

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Book Description
"IEA, International Epidemiological Association, Welcome Trust."

Author: Kathryn E. Newcomer
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118893603
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 100

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Book Description
The leading program evaluation reference, updated with the latest tools and techniques The Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation provides tools for managers and evaluators to address questions about the performance of public and nonprofit programs. Neatly integrating authoritative, high-level information with practicality and readability, this guide gives you the tools and processes you need to analyze your program's operations and outcomes more accurately. This new fourth edition has been thoroughly updated and revised, with new coverage of the latest evaluation methods, including: Culturally responsive evaluation Adopting designs and tools to evaluate multi-service community change programs Using role playing to collect data Using cognitive interviewing to pre-test surveys Coding qualitative data You'll discover robust analysis methods that produce a more accurate picture of program results, and learn how to trace causality back to the source to see how much of the outcome can be directly attributed to the program. Written by award-winning experts at the top of the field, this book also contains contributions from the leading evaluation authorities among academics and practitioners to provide the most comprehensive, up-to-date reference on the topic. Valid and reliable data constitute the bedrock of accurate analysis, and since funding relies more heavily on program analysis than ever before, you cannot afford to rely on weak or outdated methods. This book gives you expert insight and leading edge tools that help you paint a more accurate picture of your program's processes and results, including: Obtaining valid, reliable, and credible performance data Engaging and working with stakeholders to design valuable evaluations and performance monitoring systems Assessing program outcomes and tracing desired outcomes to program activities Providing robust analyses of both quantitative and qualitative data Governmental bodies, foundations, individual donors, and other funding bodies are increasingly demanding information on the use of program funds and program results. The Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation shows you how to collect and present valid and reliable data about programs.

Author: Joseph S. Wholey
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 047052247X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 752

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Book Description
The book is designed to enable students of public policy, policymakers and mangers to obtain useful information and conduct successful systematic evaluations, even under tight resource constraints. This text presents a wide variety of approaches to evaluation through brief, authoritative articles by top academics and practitioners. Thoroughly revised and updated this third edition is filled with the most current information, up-to-date examples, and puts increased emphasis on practical applicability. The third edition also features a new and up-dated instructor’s manual.

Author: Keith Morrison
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000089924
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 203

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Book Description
There is a recent surge in the use of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) within education globally, with disproportionate claims being made about what they show, ‘what works’, and what constitutes the best ‘evidence’. Drawing on up-to-date scholarship from across the world, Taming Randomized Controlled Trials in Education critically addresses the increased use of RCTs in education, exploring their benefits, limits and cautions, and ultimately questioning the prominence given to them. While acknowledging that randomized controlled trials do have some place in education, the book nevertheless argues that this place should be limited. Drawing together all arguments for and against RCTs in a comprehensive and easily accessible single volume, the book also adds new perspectives and insights to the conversation; crucially, the book considers the limits of their usefulness and applicability in education, raising a range of largely unexplored concerns about their use. Chapters include discussions on: The impact of complexity theory and chaos theory. Design issues and sampling in randomized controlled trials. Learning from clinical trials. Data analysis in randomized controlled trials. Reporting, evaluating and generalizing from randomized controlled trials. Considering key issues in understanding and interrogating research evidence, this book is ideal reading for all students on Research Methods modules, as well as those interested in undertaking and reviewing research in the field of education.

Author:
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9087908466
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 175

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Book Description
Educational research is not what it was fifteen years ago. In this discipline the changes have been dramatic, far-reaching and rapid. Out of the criticisms of the 1990s and the calls for greater accountability of the early 2000s one idea has come to the fore—education science. There are two main components to education science. The first is the principle that research in education must model itself more closely on disciplines seen as highly credible and successful, mainly the natural sciences and medicine. The second part is that educators must build their practice upon the insights developed through this scientific research process. Overall, education science has the potential to change how we think about education, how we build knowledge about it, and how we know when it is successful. This volume brings together some of the most active proponents of education science and some of the most committed critics. Within it the idea of education science is explored in depth, randomized controlled trials (considered the “gold standard” of education science) are discussed in detail, and the philosophical difficulties of knowledge in education are explored. Established thinkers are brought alongside newly emerging analysts, and detailed accounts of the institutions driving education science are included. Each contribution is thoughtful and balanced, engaging with the issues of the field and how they might be addressed. As a body of work, this collection of essays provides a well-rounded, critical discussion of the potential—and the problems—of the education science movement.

Author: Paul Connolly
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 147396587X
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 201

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Book Description
Drawing on their own extensive experience of running RCTs, this book provides a thorough, practical introduction to the use of RCTs in education. It also examines the controversial aspects of Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT) in education and sets out the potential and pitfalls of the method.

Author: Rosemary Webb
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317987330
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 112

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Book Description
This book increases understanding of, and provides inspiration for, the conduct of research in primary/elementary education. It discusses and evaluates the selection and development of research methods used for their own innovatory projects. They explore the relationship between their choice of research methods, the frameworks for analysis used and research findings. In so doing they address the topical and controversial issues posed by these methods and alternative data-gathering techniques. These include: the case for the use of random-controlled trials to inform policy-making and improve classroom practice the role of mixed methods to investigate the social aspects of inclusion children as researchers researching their peers the relationship between research and teacher development an analysis of the portrayal of teachers and education in the regional and national news the contribution of qualitative research in cross-national projects. In research on teaching and learning in primary schools, accessing the views and experiences of children is crucial. Consequently, the possibilities and limitations of data collection techniques for collecting the views of children are central and concerns about validity and ethics posed by the power relationships between researchers and research participants are examined. This book was based on a special issue of Educational 3-13 International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education.

Author: Stephen Gorard
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000051935
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 182

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Book Description
Worldwide, there has been considerable progress in the quality of research evidence generated for use in education, but not the equivalent growth in knowledge of how best to get this evidence into actual use. Yet with far-reaching implications, all of education is damaged when persuasive but poor-quality evidence has widespread influence, or good research lies unused. Focused on the work of the Durham University Evidence Centre for Education, Getting Evidence into Education addresses this problem, examining what can be done to improve the take-up of suitable research evidence and inform the public service of education. Containing a variety of case studies, from evidence-based policies for early childhood education in Brazil, to the use of evidence on contextualized admissions to Scottish universities, the volume explores a variety of different ways to approach the problem, addressing the questions: What is the existing evidence on different approaches to getting research evidence into use? What are the factors which influence the uptake of high-quality research evidence by policy or practice? Which are the most effective pathways for evidence-into-use in particular contexts? Considering both the practical and ethical implications, the book builds towards key recommendations for the research community, practitioner bodies and policy-makers and advisors, directing them on how to communicate better with each other for the benefit of everyone.