 Research Questions

Consider…  Being able to EVALUATE research is the first step in becoming a researcher. This said…read, read, read…every study that you read enables you to become a better researcher.  As you read, be sure that you clearly understand:

 The question or purpose of the study  The subject or participants  Treatment, criteria or conditions.  For a quantitative (statistical) study, the researcher should describe the independent variable.  For a qualitative (descriptive) study, the researcher should describe the general setting, the environment, or condition in which the data were collected.

 Measures or instruments  Results  Conclusions or Findings

Think in terms of…  Specific  Focused  Narrow  Action Oriented

 Here are just a few examples to get you thinking…

The Effect of Guided Oral Reading Groups on Students’ Reading Fluency and Comprehension  Hypothesis/Research Question:  How does the implementation of guided oral reading groups effect reading fluency and comprehension?

The Impact of Additional Consistent Phonics Instruction on Oral Reading Fluency in Third Grade  Hypothesis/Research Question:  How will additional, consistent phonics instruction effect oral reading fluency?

The Impact of Readers’ Theater on Reading Fluency and Student Attitude Toward Reading  Hypothesis/Research Question:  What effects does Readers’ Theater have on the oral reading fluency scores of first graders?  How do different aspects of oral reading fluency (rate, expression and volume, phrasing, smoothness, and pace) change for students as they participate in Readers’ Theater?

 Most of this information is from your book, “A Short Guide to Action Research.”  Pay careful attention to Chapters 9, 10, 11, and 12 – these will keep you on track!