Week 3 (Jan. 6th) The Scientific Approach in Education Process of Research Types of Research Hot Topic Debate

Agenda for Today Stages in doing research (45) Types of research (45) Three stories-lead-in. As a group work out a process of research (Handout) Jigsaw Reading: stages in doing research (Ary.et al.2007,in-class handout) Types of research (45) Group discussion and preparation on research categories. Sharing: each group teaches the class Hot-topic Discussion (30) Housekeeping (10) Research interest/area of interest

The Scientific Methods: Introduction to Research in Education Group work tasks (process the three stories): What does “research” mean to you? What do we typically do when we “do a piece of research”? Pick one example and explain how does that example echoes the process of research. Group presentation: 1. Our understanding/misunderstanding of research 2. What research is (a one sentence summary) Research is a process of recognition and definition of a problem/discovering essential questions, gathering data, and analyzing it to answer those questions. These steps can be applied informally in the solution of such everyday problems: to find the daughter’s shoes, gain access to playground, or to make a piece of equipment work. Or the most efficient route to take from home to work or school, the best kind of computer to purchase. The more formal application of the scientific method to the solution of problems is what research is all about.

What is research Research is a process of recognition and definition of a problem/discovering essential questions, gathering data, and analyzing it to answer those questions. These steps can be applied informally in the solution of such everyday problems: to find the daughter’s shoes, gain access to playground, or to make a piece of equipment work. Or the most efficient route to take from home to work or school, the best kind of computer to purchase. The more formal application of the scientific method to the solution of problems is what research is all about. Research: using scientific method to solve problems

3 major steps in doing a research study Preparing a proposal describing the study to be done and its significance (EDU651) Collecting and analyzing data (EDU652) Writing a report of the complete study (EDU652)

The Process of Research Jigsaw

The process of research: typical stages in research (Ary. etc. 2006) Selecting a problem Reviewing the literature on the problem Designing the research Collecting the data Analyzing the data Interpreting the findings and stating conclusions Reporting results

Research Report What does the structure of a research report look like?

Research Report Introduction Literature review Methodology Results and discussion

Scientific Methods in Educational Research Application of Scientific methods in Education – Educational Research Methods Classifications of research methods

Types of Educational Research Brainstorming

Types of Scientific Research Categorized by purpose Basic Research Applied Research Evaluation Research Research and Development (R&D) Action Research (Woho!) Categorized by method Quantitative Descriptive research Correlational research Causal-comparative research Experimental research Single-subject research Qualitative research Narrative research Ethnographic research Categorized by time Cross-sectional research Longitudinal research

Group work: types of research Each group will be experts of one or two research method Prepare for 10 minutes: Report (3-5 mins each group) Use flow charts, drawing, maps …Be creative in your presentation.

Quantitative and Qualitative methods Group 1: Knowing-All Prepare a debate between quantitative vs qualitative experts Purpose? Characteristics? Merits & Demerits Categories Group 2 Non-experimental research experts Descriptive research Correlational research Group 3 Experimental research experts Causal-comparative research Single-subject research Experimental research Group 4 Qualitative experts Narrative approach Ethnographic research

Summary

Quantitative approach Descriptive research Systematic observation of environment Description of people, events, materials Correlational research Study to determine characteristic relationships Causal-comparative research To determine the cause/reason for existing differences in the behavior or status of groups of individuals. Experimental research Systematic manipulation of environment Study of the effects of the manipulation Single-subject research Study the behavior change that an individual or group exhibits as a result of some intervention, or treatment.

Qualitative approach Narrative research Ethnographic research Study how different humans experience the world around them, Researcher typically focuses on a single person and gathers data by collecting stories about the person’s life, Ethnographic research Buzz words Entire group Cultural anthropology “cultures” Intact culture Gain access to a site, gatekeeper, insider, outsider Informed consent Key informants Participant observation Fieldwork, field notes

House Keeping Reading for next week Arrange for observation (week 4) Think about your research question (s)

Experimental Example What is experimental research? “Buzz words” Independent variable Dependent variable Treatment/experimental group Intact/control group Extraneous variables

Correlational Research An Example Purpose of research How to do this? How to examine/interpret results? Manipulation/intervention Naturally occurring phenomena Cause – effect: causal?