The Elements of Inquiry covers the basic guidelines for graduate students doing an investigation or inquiry project. It distils the basic rubrics necessary for teaching research methods and completing research project, and gives the student researcher a list of basic steps to follow to complete any type of inquiry project.

Peter J. Burke is Director of a graduate program in educational leadership and a faculty member in the Education Department at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. He is author, co-author, or co-editor of four books, five monographs, several book chapters, and numerous articles in professional journals on topics such as leadership, school improvement, teacher growth and development, and the supervision of instruction.

Sara Jimenez Soffa is Director of Research and Associate Professor of education for the doctoral program in educational leadership at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. She was previously Coordinator for the Higher Education and Agency (IHE) educational leadership concentration for the doctoral program in educational leadership (Ed.D.) at Edgewood College.

Introduction

Acknowledgements

Preface

PART I. AN INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1. Research as Inquiry

Chapter 2. Sources of Data

Chapter 3. Common Uses of Research

Chapter 4. The Value of Research

Chapter 5. The Structure of Research

Chapter 6. The Research Report

PART II. THE STEPS IN THE PROCESS

Chapter 7. The Theoretical Basis of Research

Chapter 8. The Purpose of the Study

Chapter 9. The Design of the Study

Chapter 10. Know the Evidence

Chapter 11. Know the Evidence Source

Chapter 12. Gather the Evidence

Chapter 13. Review the Evidence

Chapter 14. Display the Findings

Chapter 15. Answer the Question

Chapter 16. Determine Closure

PART III. RESOURCES

Chapter 17. Research in Action

Chapter 18. Templates for Success

Chapter 19. Providing Structure

Chapter 20. Annotated Bibliography

Bibliography

Glossary

Appendix