Linda S. Levstik & Cynthia A. Tyson 
Handbook of Research in Social Studies Education [PDF ebook] 

This Handbook outlines the current state of research in social studies education — a complex, dynamic, challenging field with competing perspectives about appropriate goals, and on-going conflict over the content of the curriculum — and, equally important, encourages new research needed to move the field forward to foster the civic competence which advocates for the social studies have long claimed as a fundamental goal.