This edition contains some of the best work on research and research methodology. The date is no indication of the quality of this work. Wittrock, Merlin C., ed. Handbook of research on teaching, 3rd edition. An excellent work with thoughtful, well-written and researched chapters.
Date is the only drawback.
Handbook of research synthesis. Russell Sage Foundation, 1994. Contains an excellent, if rather formal, description of the research process, literature reviews, and research synthesis. Sage Publications, 1997. Sage Publications, 1998.