Assignment 1: What Is Special About Special Education Research? Effective researchers in the field of special education are acutely aware of the challenges inherent in their investigations. Working with children with exceptionalities brings particularly important responsibilities. These responsibilities include careful attention to the treatment of subjects, validity, and the use of results. Furthermore, theories must be studied using a robust measurement of appropriate variables and a respective statistical analysis. For this Assignment, you will analyze the challenges facing special education research today as well as evaluate the role and importance of key research elements to the field of special education research. To prepare: · Review the required and additional Learning Resources for this module. Pay particular attention to the types of challenges facing the field of special education, research gaps in the literature, and how each may be addressed with valid measurement, theory, and study. · Consider the role and importance of the following in special education research: o Measurement o Theory o Variables o Statistical analysis methods Develop a 5–8 page paper to utilizing the following section headings: 1. Challenges to research practices in special education a. Explain the challenges posed to those who design, implement, and utilize the results of research in the field of special education. 2. The purpose of measurement in special education a. Explain the important role and purpose of measurement in supporting valid research in special education. 3. The role of theory and effective practice a. Explain the importance of a clearly articulated theory in providing a foundation from which to conduct research and identify effective practices. 4. Identification of variables a. Explain the importance of, and process for, identifying research variables. 5. Statistical methods used in special education a. Explain the role of specific methods of statistical analysis, and their importance in conducting valid research in special education. Support your position with specific references to and examples from the Learning Resources, outside peer reviewed research, and personal experience. Note: For this Assignment and all scholarly writing in this course and throughout your program, you will be required to use APA style (6th edition). Please use the Walden Writing Center as a resource as you complete assignments. Additionally, review the rubric for requirements for the use of APA style and citation. Points will be deducted for each submission if you do not strictly and accurately use correct APA citations each time you submit your work throughout the course. Learning Resources Note: To access this module’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus. Required Readings Florian, L. (Ed.). (2014). The SAGE handbook of specia.

1. Assignment 1: What Is Special About Special Education
Research?
Effective researchers in the field of special education are
acutely aware of the challenges inherent in their investigations.
Working with children with exceptionalities brings particularly
important responsibilities. These responsibilities include careful
attention to the treatment of subjects, validity, and the use of
results. Furthermore, theories must be studied using a robust
measurement of appropriate variables and a respective
statistical analysis.
For this Assignment, you will analyze the challenges facing
special education research today as well as evaluate the role and
importance of key research elements to the field of special
education research.
To prepare:
· Review the required and additional Learning Resources for
this module. Pay particular attention to the types of challenges
facing the field of special education, research gaps in the
literature, and how each may be addressed with valid
measurement, theory, and study.
· Consider the role and importance of the following in special
education research:
o Measurement
o Theory
o Variables

2. o Statistical analysis methods
Develop
a 5–8 page paper to utilizing the following section headings:
1.
Challenges to research practices in special education
a. Explain the challenges posed to those who design, implement,
and utilize the results of research in the field of special
education.
2.
The purpose of measurement in special education
a. Explain the important role and purpose of measurement in
supporting valid research in special education.
3.
The role of theory and effective practice
a. Explain the importance of a clearly articulated theory in
providing a foundation from which to conduct research and
identify effective practices.
4.
Identification of variables
a. Explain the importance of, and process for, identifying
research variables.
5.
Statistical methods used in special education
a. Explain the role of specific methods of statistical analysis,

3. and their importance in conducting valid research in special
education.
Support your position with specific references to and examples
from the Learning Resources, outside peer reviewed research,
and personal experience.
Note:
For this Assignment and all scholarly writing in this course and
throughout your program, you will be required to use APA style
(6th edition). Please use the Walden Writing Center as a
resource as you complete assignments. Additionally, review the
rubric for requirements for the use of APA style and citation.
Points will be deducted for each submission if you do not
strictly and accurately use correct APA citations each time you
submit your work throughout the course.
Learning Resources
Note:
To access this module’s required library resources, please click
on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the
Course Materials
section of your Syllabus.
Required Readings
Florian, L. (Ed.). (2014).
The SAGE handbook of special education
(2nd ed.). London, England: Sage.
Chapter 21, “A Disability Studies Frame for Research
Approaches in Special Education”(pp. 351–367)

4. Focus on
the promise of disability studies approach to research,
addressing policy and socio-cultural context, and disability
studies and transformative influence.
O’Neill, R. E., McDonnell, J. J., Billingsley, F. F., & Jenson,
W. R. (2011).
Single case research designs in educational and community
settings.
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Chapter 1, “Historical Background and Development of
Single Case Research” (pp. 1–13)
Focus on
the development of single case research as a valid and
reliable method in special education.
Note:
You will use this reading for your work on your MA.
Rumrill, P. D., Cook, B. G., & Wiley, A. L. (2011).
Research in special education: Designs, methods, and
applications
. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.
Chapter 1, “Introduction to research in Special Education”
(pp. 3–17)
Focus on
the elements of research that are common across studies in

5. the field of education. Also pay particular attention to
characteristics of research that are unique to special
education. Note challenges to the science of special
education.
Chapter 4, “Ethical Issues and Guidelines for Special
Education Research” (pp. 73–99)
Focus on
a review of the underlying ethical principles of special
education. Pay particular attention to the treatment of human
subjects. Consider that the use of the results of a research
study should consider impacts on research participants.
Chapter 5, “Research Validity” (pp. 100–117)
Focus on
the general concept and specific types of research validity.
Review definitions of internal and external validity and the
threats to each. Note how you may apply what you learned to
critique your own work, and the studies conducted by other
researchers.
Vaughn, S., & Swanson, E. A. (2015). Special education
research advances knowledge in education.
Exceptional Children, 82
(1), 11–24.
Additional Resources
Although every Additional Resource is not required reading, it
is highly recommended that you read all of the Additional
Resources. Be sure to make note of the Additional Resources

6. which align with the content and focus of Discussions and
Assignments.
Note:
The resources were selected for the quality of the information
and examples that they contain and not the date of publication.
Cook, B. G., Tankersley, M., & Landrum, T. J. (2009).
Determining evidence-based practices in special education.
Exceptional Children, 75
(3), 365–383.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Focus on
the synthesizing of research approaches, findings, and
recommendations. Reflect on the analysis of studies. Note the
processing for applying quality indicators and standards.
Florian, L. (Ed.). (2014).
The SAGE handbook of special education
(2nd ed.). London, England: Sage.
Chapter 20, “Comparative and International Perspectives on
Special Education”(pp. 335–349)
Focus on
International perspectives on research in special education,
research gaps, and the future of research on special and
inclusive education.
Kubina, R. M., Kostewicz, D. E., & Datchuk,. S. M. (2010).
Graph and table use in special education: A review and analysis

7. of the communication of data.
Evaluation & Research in Education, 23
(2), 105–119.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Focus on
the use of the survey, paying particular attention to data graphs
and tables. Study the findings and conclusions.
Mastropieri, M. A., Berkeley, S., McDuffie, K. A., Graff, H.,
Marshak, L., Conners, N. A., & Cuenca-Sanchez, Y. (2009).
What is published in the field of special education? Analysis of
11 prominent journals.
Exceptional Children, 76
(1), 95–109.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Focus on
the types of articles published in the field of special education.
Consider the meaning of this for the future of special education
and review how the analysis was conducted.
Rumrill, P. D., Cook, B. G., & Wiley, A. L. (2011).
Research in special education: Designs, methods, and
applications
. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.
Chapter 2, “Getting Started in Special Education Research—
Variables, Research Questions, and Hypotheses” (pp. 18–37)
Focus on
research questions, identification of variables, theory, and

8. sampling. Review sources of research ideas. Consider the
various types of sampling procedures and the variety of
variable types.
Chapter 3, “Measurement and Statistics in Special Education
Research” (pp. 38–72)
Focus on
measurement issues, with a particular emphasis on the
purpose of measurement in special education. Reflect on
levels of measurement, statistics, and the array of
approaches to statistical analysis.
Chapter 9, “Guidelines for Composing and Evaluating
Research Articles” (pp. 193–215)
Focus on
the structure of a research report. Reflect on the
organization of a paper and the most critical elements that
should be included. Study APA format carefully as it is the
typical style expected in research reports.
Vince Garland, K. M., Holden, K., & Garland, D. P. (2016).
Individualized clinical coaching in the TLE TeachLivE Lab:
Enhancing fidelity of implementation of system of least prompts
among novice teachers of students with autism.
Teacher Education and Special Education, 39
(1), 47–49.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Focus on
the all aspects of the study especially the multiple probe across

9. participants’ single case design. This is a very good example of
single subject research to address a practical problem in teacher
education.
Single-Subject Problem Statements
The following articles provide examples of special education
problem statements in single-subject research studies.
Avcioglu, H. (2012). The effectiveness of the instructional
programs based on self-management strategies in acquisition of
social skills by the children with intellectual disabilities.
Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice, 12
(1), 345–351.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Focus on
the multiple-probe design. Note the approach to single-subject
research. Pay specific attention to the interpretation to findings.
Aykut, C. (2012). Effectiveness and efficiency of constant-time
delay and most-to-least prompt procedures in teaching daily
living skills to children with intellectual disabilities.
Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice, 12
(1), 366–373.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Focus on
the adapted alternating treatment design. Note that two prompt
procedures were evaluated in this study. Consider how this
differs from an A-B design.
Jimenez, B. A., Browder, D. M., Spooner, F., & Diabiase, W.
(2012). Inclusive inquiry science using peer-mediated embedded

10. instruction for students with moderate intellectual disability.
Exceptional Children, 78
(3), 301–317.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Focus on
the method of instruction. Review the embedded constant time-
delay procedure and reflect on social validity.
Thompson, A. M., & Webber, K. C. (2010). Realigning student
and teacher perceptions of school rules: A behavior management
strategy for students with challenging problems.
Children & Schools, 32
(2), 71–79.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Focus on
the use of single-subject data. Study how statistical significance
was considered. Read about the proportion-frequency
procedures and the two standard deviations statistical test.
Ethical Challenges in Research
The following reports address the many ethical challenges
inherent in research with children.
Matutina, R. E. (2009). Ethical issues in research with children
and young people: Robin Matutina reviews the literature on the
ethical dilemmas involved in conducting child-specific research
and suggests strategies to safeguard the legal rights of children.
Paediatric Nursing, 21
(8), 38–44.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

11. Focus on
the history of research with children. Note that most of the
studies occurred in the United States. Consider the implications
for today’s researchers.
Mayeux, L., Underwood, M. K., & Risser, S. D. (2007).
Perspectives on the ethics of sociometric research with children:
How children, peers, and teachers help to inform the debate.
Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 53
(1), 53–78.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Focus on
the purpose of sociometry. Reflect on the challenges presented
to researchers who seek to treat children ethically. Consider
steps for protecting children.