Chapter 8 Designing a Research Project Introduction to Educational Research (7th ed.) Craig A. Mertler & C.M. Charles Chapter 8 Designing a Research Project This ppt was adapted by Anne René Elsbree for use in EDUC 622. Use it as a resource to understand the book. This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display including transmission of any image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; any rental, lease, or lending of the program. Mertler & Charles Intro. to Ed'l. Research -- Chapter 1

How To Plan for Research Attention should be given to: Introduction Method Data analysis Time schedule Budget (Gay & Airasian, 2000) Planning according to whether research is qualitative or quantitative (Wiersma, 2000)

Planning Research Tasks TASK #1: State the topic, problem, and questions/hypotheses Include importance of the study, limitations, delimitations, assumptions TASK #2: Outline the library search for related information Include both primary and secondary sources Develop literature review from: general specific earlier more recent

Planning Research Tasks (cont’d.) TASK #3: Identify needed data and their sources TASK #4: List the steps needed to complete the study Include sampling procedures (if necessary), descriptions of what will be expected of participants, and methods of ensuring quality of data TASK #5: Specify the procedures and tools to be used in data collection Include description of data collection instruments

Planning Research Tasks (cont’d.) TASK #6: Foresee how data can best be analyzed and interpreted Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative data Anticipate possible findings and conclusions TASK #7: Anticipate the appropriate report format, based on a generic format: 1. Specification of the problem 2. Review of related literature 3. Procedures and data collection 4. Data analysis 5. Findings 6. Conclusions

Applying Technology… Web sites to assist in writing reports Dr. Trochim’s "Key Elements" of research reports (socialresearchmethods.net/kb/guideelements.htm) Dr. Trochim’s guide to "Formatting" research reports (socialresearchmethods.net/kb/formatting.htm) The complete text of a sample research paper (socialresearchmethods.net/kb/sampaper.htm)