Designing a Research Project Introduction to Educational Research (5th ed.) Craig A. Mertler & C.M. Charles Chapter 6 Designing a Research Project

How Planning for Research Should Be Done 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)

Tasks To Be Accomplished When Planning Research 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 review from: general specific earlier more recent

Tasks To Be Accomplished When Planning Research (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

Tasks To Be Accomplished When Planning Research (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 (http://trochim.human.cornell.edu/kb/guideelements.htm) Dr. Trochim’s guide to "Formatting" research reports (http://trochim.human.cornell.edu/kb/formatting.htm) The complete text of a sample research paper (http://trochim.human.cornell.edu/kb/sampaper.htm)