Research Rundowns

Continuing work on research rigor, validity, and methodological decision making.

Research Rundowns was created to help students and emerging researchers better understand research concepts such as validity, research design, and methodological decision making. Over the years, posts on topics including pilot studies, triangulation, and conceptual frameworks have been widely used in courses and research training settings.

I am pleased to share that this work has recently developed into two new peer-reviewed publications that further explore formative research practices and strategies for strengthening rigor and quality in social science research.

Visual models, piloting, and triangulation as core formative research practices
https://trace.tennessee.edu/handle/20.500.14382/53528

Biddix, J. P. (2025). Visual models, piloting, and triangulation as core formative research practices. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 1–10.

Keywords: visual models, pilot testing, triangulation, formative research practices, mixed methods, research design

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Using formative assessment approaches to enhance rigor and quality in research
https://trace.tennessee.edu/handle/20.500.14382/53527

Biddix, J. P., & Bourke, B. (2025). Using formative assessment approaches to enhance rigor and quality in research. Quality & Quantity, 1–20.

Keywords: formative assessment, research rigor, research quality, validity, evaluation practices, methodological decision making

These publications build on ideas introduced in earlier Research Rundowns posts and reflect an ongoing interest in translating methodological thinking into accessible guidance for researchers.

Update 3/4/18
My new research methods and applications text published and is available on Amazon as of today. Check it out here! You can also access a Table of Contents here. and download the first chapter for free here.

Welcome to Research Rundowns, a blog intended to simplify research methods in educational settings.  I hope this site can serve as a quick, practical, and more importantly, relevant resource on how to read, conduct, and write research. The contents are an expansion and revision of my class materials, intended for use as a refresher or as a free introductory research methods course. Topics are organized into five main sections, with subsections (in parentheses):

• Introduction (INTRO)–a brief overview of educational research methods (3)
• Quantitative Methods (QUANT)–descriptive and inferential statistics (5)
• Qualitative Methods (QUAL)–descriptive and thematic analysis (2)
• Mixed Methods (MIXED)–integrated, synthesis, and multi-method approaches (1)
• Research Writing (WRITING)–literature review and research report guides (5)

Most subsection contains a non-technical description of the topic, a how-to interpret guide, a how-to set-up and analyze guide using free online calculators or Excel, and a wording results guide. All materials are available for general use, following the Creative Commons License.