The Process of Conducting Research Chapter 1 The Process of Conducting Research John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

By the end of this chapter, you should be able to: Define educational research Identify the importance of educational research Name problems with research today Describe the research process Identify ethical considerations in conducting research Reflect on the skills you bring to the research process John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Indicates how the data answered the question. What Is Research? The researcher Asks a question. Collects data. Indicates how the data answered the question. John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

A Definition of Research Research is a process or steps used to collect and analyze information in order to increase our understanding of a topic or issue. John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Importance of Research 1: Research adds to our knowledge. Addresses gaps in knowledge Expands knowledge Replicates knowledge 2: Research helps improve practice. 3: Research helps inform policy debates. John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Problems with Research Contradictory or vague findings Questionable data Unclear statements about the intent of the study Lack of full disclosure of the data collection procedure Poor execution of research problem John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

The Process of Research Identify the Research Problem Review the Literature Report and Evaluate Research Analyze and Interpret Data Specify a Research Purpose Collect Data John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

The Process of Research: Identify the Research Problem Specify a problem Justify a problem Suggest a need to study the problem for audiences John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

The Process of Research: Review the Literature Locate resources Books Journals Electronic resources Select resources Determine the relevant resources for the topic Organize the resources by developing a “Literature Map” Summarize the resources in a literature review John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

The Process of Research: Specify a Research Purpose Identify the purpose statement The major intent of the study The participants in the study The site of the study Narrow the purpose statement Quantitative: Write research questions and/or hypothesis Qualitative: Identify a central phenomenon and write sub-questions John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

The Research Process: Collect Data Determine the data collection method Select the individuals to study Design data collection instruments and outline data collection procedures Obtain permissions Gather data John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

The Research Process: Analyze and Interpret Data Take the data apart to look at individual responses Represent the data in tables, figures, and pictures Explain conclusions from the data that address the research questions John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

The Research Process: Report and Evaluate Research Report research Determine the audience for the report Structure the report Write the report sensitively and accurately Evaluate research Assess the quality of research using recognized standards in a discipline Standards can come from the academic community, school districts, or federal or state agencies John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Ethical Considerations in Research Respect the rights of the participants Honor the requests and restrictions of the research site Report the research fully and honestly John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Skills Needed for Research Curiosity to solve puzzles Long attention span Library and computer resource skills Writing and editing skills John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition