Introduction to Educational Research

Problem Analysis I

Why Conduct Research?

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Fills in blanks in knowledge Expands understanding Reproduce knowledge Add other perspectives Improves Practice
Learn about new practices Evaluate existing practices

Informs about important policy issues

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Problems With Modern Research

Conflicting results Vague findings Questionable data
Inaccurate Small sample size Poorly constructed surveys Key: Just because its published doesnt make it good research.

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How Research Was Conducted

Scientific Method 4 Steps of Inquiry 1. Identify a problem
Defines goal of research If confirmed, resolves problem Relevant to prediction Determine if it supports prediction

2. Make a prediction 3. Gather Data

4. Analyze & Interpret Data

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What Is Research Today?

Research is a cyclical process of steps that typically begins with identifying a research problem or issue of study. It then involves reviewing the literature, specifying a purpose for the study, collecting and analyzing data, and forming an interpretation of the information. This process culminates in a report, disseminated to audiences, that is evaluated and used in the educational community.
(Cresswell, 2002)
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Research Process Cycle

Identifying A Research Problem

Specifying a problem Justifying it Why do we need to study it?

Reporting & Evaluating What does this mean? Which audience Structuring report

Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three

Locating Resources Selecting Summarizing

Reviewing the Literature

Analysis/Interpretation Breaking down data Depicting Data Explaining Data

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Purpose and Methodology Purpose Statements Funneling/Narrowing to research questions or hypothesis

Study Groups/Control & Treatment Permission Gathering Information

Collecting Data

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How Much Will We Cover This Semester?

Identifying A Research Problem

Specifying a problem Justifying it Why do we need to study it?

Reporting & Evaluating What does this mean? Which audience Structuring report

Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three

Locating Resources Selecting Summarizing

Reviewing the Literature

Analysis/Interpretation Breaking down data Depicting Data Explaining Data

Chapter Four Chapter Five

Purpose and Methodology Purpose Statements Funneling/Narrowing to research questions or hypothesis

Study Groups/Control & Treatment Permission Gathering Information

Collecting Data

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Lets Look at the Steps Individually

Identify a problem or issue One that needs to be resolved How? Specify the topic (more on this later) Justify why it needs to be studied Chapter One

Suggest the importance of this topic to a specific group

Why Specify? Specifying limits broad topics makes them easier to research. Introduction also call the Statement of the Problem
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Lets Look at the Steps Individually

Literature Review Defined: Locating summaries, books, journals, and indexed publications on a topic, selectively choosing which literature is relevant, and then writing a report that summarizes that literature. Both Faculty and Students have fears about research

Faculty: the research wont build on existing knowledge.

Student: after planning and conducting research that it will merely replicate prior research.

Chapter Two
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Lets Look at the Steps Individually

Specifying A Purpose Chapter Three Key Chapter: Introduces the entire study, signals the procedures to be used (methodologies), and points to the results to be found. This chapter must be crafted carefully. Your explanation of how you are going to go about Collecting data so that others could replicate your study. Collecting Data: identifying and selecting individuals for a study; obtaining their permission to be studied; and gathering information by administering instruments, through asking people questions or observing their behavior.
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Lets Look at the Steps Individually

Analyzing and Interpreting the Data Chapter Four Analysis Means: taking the data apart to see individual responses and putting it back together to summarize it. Presentation of findings, no explanation. Charts and Graphs Important to this chapter. Reporting and Evaluating Research Determining the audience and structuring the report in a format that is acceptable to this audience. Explains what this research means Chapter Five
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Research Ethics
Respecting Participant Rights
Participants have the right to be briefed about the study. They need to know the purpose, aims, the use of the results, and the likely social consequences the study will have on their lives. Right to refuse or withdraw from the study at any time. Their anonymity must be protected at all times. Right to gain something from the study
Researchers need to find a way to give back to the participants who freely gave of their time.
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Research Ethics
Honoring Research Sites
Get permission first Dont overly disturb operation Remember you may be a guest

Reporting Research Fully & Honestly

Make sure your reporting is accurate. Report what you find even if it does not support your hypothesis.

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Four Skills You Bring to this Process

Solving Puzzles
Research steps are like puzzle pieces. Your job is to put them together.

Lengthening Your Attention Span

You are going to need to focus on materials for longer periods of time. Your reading is for a different purpose so you will not be able to skim through articles.

Using Libraries
This process is going to require that you spend time in the library.

Writing, Editing, and More Writing!

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Activity #1
After class today, choose a published journal article from our library that relates to your area of research interest. Find the research problem, the literature review, the research questions, the data collection, the data analysis, and the interpretation of the study. Copy the article and label the six key components of the research process in the margins of the article.

Put this in the box outside of my office.

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Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research

Description & explanation oriented Literature Review plays a major role Purpose specific, and measurable Data Collection Predetermined instruments, numeric data Statistical analysis Reporting, standard and fixed Exploratory & understanding oriented Literature review plays a minor role Purpose is general and broad, Data Collection Emerging protocols, text or image data Text analysis Reporting, flexible and emerging.

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When Should I Use Quantitative?

When the research problem is a description of trends or an explanation of the relationship among variables.

When Should I Use Qualitative?

When the research problem is an exploration and understanding of a central phenomenon.

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Identifying a Research Problem

Research Problems: educational issues or concerns studied by researchers To locate a research problem in a study-ask 4 questions
What was the issue or problem the researcher wanted to address? What was the concern being addressed behind the study? Why was the study undertaken in the first place? Why is this study important?

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Important Definitions
Research Problem: an educational issue or problem in a study. Research Topic: broach subject matter being addressed in a study. Purpose: major intent or objective of the study. Research questions: questions the researcher would like answered or addressed in the study.

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Examples, please
General Topic Research Problem Purpose Statement Distance learning Lack of students in distance ed. Classes To study why students do not attend distance ed. classes at a community college Does the use of Web site technology in the classroom deter students from enrolling in a distance ed. class?

Research Questions

Specific
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Should I Study this Topic?

Contribute to Knowledge & Practice? Access to the people & sites necessary to the study? Time, resources, skills to study the topic?

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Statement of the Problem

1. 2. 3. Includes the following 5 Elements: Introduction of the Educational Topic
Set the stage, provide context

Stating the research problem Justifying the research problem

Why must it be studied? Who Cares?

4. 5.

Identifying Deficiencies in the Evidence Addressing it to the appropriate audience

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Flow of Ideas in a Statement of the Problem

Topic Research Problem Justification Deficiencies Relating to Audience

Subject Area

A concern or issue A problem Something that needs a solution

Evidence from the literature Evidence from practical experience

Whats missing? What do we need to know more about?

How will addressing this topic help others?

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