ABSTRACT
When conceiving this book, the editors invited new and experienced researchers to fulfill the promise of educational research as articulated by Keller in 1985 (see Preface). As such, the purposes of this book were to introduce research methods less commonly used but relevant to higher education, whet the readers’ appetites for research, build enthusiasm for the possibilities of research on college campuses, and spur readers to develop their research skills to the fullest possible degree. Keller (1985) employed the metaphor of trees without fruit as a way to critique educational research as well as urge change in the quality and type of research conducted. The methods and approaches conveyed in this book carry Keller’s message. Regardless of the method discussed in the chapter, the authors communicated that quality, meaningfulness, and ethical practice are of utmost importance. This concluding chapter expounds on that message of quality, usefulness, and relevance. In this final chapter we (a) revisit the main points of the methodological chapters, (b) review remaining research topics, (c) discuss researchers’ obligations as they report research findings from their privileged positions, and (d) explore the possibilities for contribution to social change that research affords.
