PART ONE: INTRODUCTION - ¿DESIGN¿ AS DISTINCT FROM METHODS
What Is Research Design?
Introducing Designs in the Cycle of Research
PART TWO: THE PRELIMINARIES OF RESEARCH DESIGN
Identifying Researchable Questions
Warranting Research Claims
The Nature of Causal Claims
PART THREE: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Identifying the Sample or Cases
Comparing for Comparative Claims
Matters of Timing and Sequence
Evaluating Controlled Interventions
PART FOUR: MORE ADVANCED CONSIDERATIONS
Further Designs for Evaluation
Challenges for Validity
How Big Is a Difference?
A Second Principle of Ethics
PART FIVE: CONCLUSION
Revisiting the Need for Robust Design

This book discusses the nature of design, design notation, a flexible approach to new designs, a range of standard design models, and tips for real-life problems - all in an easy to understand style, for those wanting to design research and make critical judgements about the designs of others

Stephen Gorard is the Professor of Education Research at the University of Birmingham, Academician of the Academy of Social Sciences, introducer for the ESRC Grant Awarding Panel A, and a methods expert for the US Institute of Education Science panel on Mathematics and Science. His research concerns the robust evaluation of education as a lifelong society-wide process, focused on issues of equity and effectiveness. He has successfully conducted over 70 projects funded by government and other sources, and is the author of hundreds of research books and articles. His work appears regularly in the media, and is much used by local and international policy-makers. He is currently an evaluator for the European Commission Directorate-General for Regional Policy, the Educational Endowment Foundation, the Learning and Skills Information Service, the Department of Work and Pensions, and the Food Standards Agency.