Week 13 (April 17, 07) Wrap up the Research Proposal: Two Ends: Abstract & Summary

Agenda for today  Methodology  The two ends: abstract + summary/significance (& appendix)  On Writing Style

Methodology Deeper understanding Peer confer + Q &A

More on Methodology: Understanding  Why the Heck do we want a proposal – revisit qualitative research.  Differences between a research proposal and research report.

3 major steps in doing a research study ???

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: typical stages in doing research ??? Review/Brainstorming

The process of research: typical stages in doing research 1. Selecting a problem 2. Reviewing the literature on the problem 3. Designing the research 4. Collecting the data 5. Analyzing the data 6. Interpreting the findings and stating conclusions 7. Reporting results

Research Proposal and Research Report: A Revisit  What does the structure of a research report look like?

Research Report  Introduction  Literature review  Methodology  Results and discussion

Research Report: an Example  Textbook: Chapter 8  MA Theses

More on Methodology: Group Confer  Form a group of 3 or 4  Quick glance over at each others  A list of questions from each group member; confer as a group; leave 2-3 burning questions to Shufang to discuss in class.  Debriefing – Question & Answer  Exemplary works – an example (?)

Abstract and Summary Abstract Summary – Significance

Discussion Section  Overview/Summary of the study  Limitations of the study  Contributions/significance of the study  Suggestions for future study

Summary of the study  Restate the general purposes and/or questions of the study.  Review how the purposes were realized and questions were answered.

Introduction & Discussion Comment on larger, more significant issues.  Whereas in the introduction your task was to move from general (your field) to specific (your research),  In the Discussion section your task is to move from specific (your research) back to general (your field, how your research will affect the world). In other words, in the conclusion you should put your research in context

Limitations of the study  Two most common types of limitations: Weakness in measurement (i.e. observation or instrumentation) Weakness in sampling  Describe the limitations or applicability of the findings. For example, your recommendations might be applied only to a certain segment of the population. Also, were you able to look at all facets of the problem?

Contributions/Significance of the study  How might the study contribute to your personal learning? It is an action research, what will you learn as a result of the study and why is it worth knowing? How will this help improve your teaching?  How might your study contribute to a larger community, a school, a district, or a group?  How might the study contribute to the field or to theory?  e.g.: Shufang’s Dissertation Proposal (online)

Suggestions/Recommendations for Future Study  Point to specific areas that might be fruitful in future research  Point to specific research procedures that might be fruitful in future research  It is not uninformative for researchers to conclude with a simple phrase such as “more research” is needed

Abstract  Handout