1. HE560 Week 7 Seminar Research Questions & The Final Project Dr. Sherri Davis, Instructor Please spend some time chatting and getting to know your classmates better

2. Tonight’s Goals (Goal #1) Purpose Statement Hypotheses Research Questions

3. Tonight’s Goals (Goal #2) Research Proposal Student Led Q&A Tips & Recomendations

4. Purpose Statement (Chpt. 6) Addresses: Why and What Why: Why you want to study what you intend to study What: What you hope to achieve by conducting your study (Locke, Spirduso, & Silverman, 2007, p. 111) Purpose Statement Hypotheses Research Questions

5. Research Questions Link to Qualitative Studies (Chpt. 7) Objectives Hypotheses Research Questions (Creswell, 2009, p. 129)

6. Research Questions & Qualitative Research Research Questions Central Question Sub- questions (Creswell, 2009) Purpose Statement Hypotheses Research Questions

7. Central Question Broad, non-directional, open, exploratory Definition: “The central question is a broad question that asks for an exploration of the central phenomenon or concept in the study” (Creswell, 2009, p. 129). Creswell (2009) recommends asking: “What is the broadest question I can ask in this study” (p. 129). Research Questions Central Question Sub- questions

8. Central Question Broad, non-directional, open, exploratory The idea is to take a broad perspective that considers all view points. There is not end in mind as one approaches this type of study. Sub-questions: 1:5-7 Rule (Sub-questions help to narrow and focus the study, but the study still remains open. (Creswell, 2009) Research Questions Central Question Sub- questions

9. Central Question Examples Use “What” statements and “How” statements in forming research questions for qualitative studies (Creswell, 2009, p. 130). “Begin study with a single focus” and use “exploratory [non- directional] verbs” (Creswell, 2009. p. 130). Ex: “Discover”, “Seek to understand”, “Explore a process”, “Describe the experiences”, “report the stories” (Creswell, 2009, p. 130). Research Questions Central Question Sub- questions

10. Central Question Crafting Tips Use “What” statements and “How” statements in forming research questions for qualitative studies (Creswell, 2009, p. 130). “Begin study with a single focus” and use “exploratory [non- directional] verbs” (Creswell, 2009. p. 130). Ex: “Discover”, “Seek to understand”, “Explore a process”, “Describe the experiences”, “report the stories” (Creswell, 2009, p. 130). Research Questions Central Question Sub- questions

11. Central Question Example Researchers Padula and Miller (1999) “conducted a multiple case study that described the experiences of women who went back to school, after a time away, in a psychology doctoral program at a major Midwestern research university. The intent was to document the women’s experiences…” (Creswell, 2009, p. 132). A.How do women in a psychology doctoral program describe their decision to return to school B.How do women in a psychology doctoral program describe their reentry experience C.How does returning to graduate school change these women’s lives. (Padula & Miller, 1999, p. 328). Research Questions Central Question Sub- questions

12. Sub-Questions Example Central: How do women in a psychology doctoral program describe their decision to return to school (Padula & Miller, 1999, p. 328). Sub-questions are open-ended questions that are usually the questions you ask during the study to the participants and help to better focus and target the central idea (Creswell, 2009). Sub: 1. What led to your decision to return to school? 2. What would you describe at the most contributing factor that led to the decision to return to school? 3. Describe any obstacles that impeded this decision, if any? Research Questions Central Question Sub- questions

13. Quantitative Research Questions Creswell (2009) stated it best when he wrote, “In quantitative studies, [researchers] use quantitative research questions and hypotheses, and sometimes objectives, to shape and specifically focus the purpose of the study” (p. 132).

14. Quantitative Research Questions Facts you should know: Focus on variables and the relationship they have among each other (cause & effect) Ofen used in the social sciences Connected in large part to survey led studies (Creswell, 2009) Purpose Statement Hypotheses Research Questions

15. Quantitative Hypotheses Creswell (2009) quantitative hypotheses as, “predictions [that] the researcher makes about the expected relationship among the variables” (p. 132). Purpose Statement Hypotheses Research Questions

16. Quantitative Hypotheses Facts you should know: Focuses on the inferences drawn after comparing set groups Studies are based on “numeric estimates of population” Think: Group Comparison (Creswell, 2009, p. 132) Purpose Statement Hypotheses Research Questions

17. Quantitative Hypotheses Look at the relationship of one variable (independent) on another (dependent). Cause and Effect Researchers when forming hypotheses must either “compare”, “relate” or “describe” how the independent variable IMPACTS the dependent variable (Creswell, 2009, p. 133). Purpose Statement Hypotheses Research Questions

18. Independent & Dependent Variables Creswell (2009) defines “independent variables are those that (probably) cause, influence, or affect outcomes” (p. 50). And, “dependent variables are those that depend on the independent variables; they are the outcomes or results of the influence of the independent variables” (Creswell, 2009, p. 50). Purpose Statement Hypotheses Research Questions

19. Cause and Effect & Hypotheses Independent Variable Dependent Variable Outcome Purpose Statement Hypotheses Research Questions

20. Writing Research Questions & Hypotheses Tips Within a qualitative study, select one, not both unless you are doing a mixed-method study (Creswell, 2009). If writing a hypotheses, understand the three types: “null”, “directional” and “non- directional” and follow the standard format when crafting them (Creswell, 2009, p. 134) Purpose Statement Hypotheses Research Questions

21. Writing Research Questions & Hypotheses Tips Examples of Hypotheses: Null: There is no significant difference between the effects of faculty presence during testing among older and younger adults. Directional: Adults with limited technology experience will have a higher drop out rate (within online colleges) than adults with more technological experience. Non Directional: Self-motivation, self-awareness and self- reliance are related to different socio-economic groups (low income vs. upper income). Purpose Statement Hypotheses Research Questions

22. Writing Research Questions DescriptiveInferential Research questions are categorized as either Descriptive or Inferential Questions. Descriptive questions describe Inferential infer Both include independent and dependent variables (suited for quantitative studies) Target questions on IV and DV Purpose Statement Hypotheses Research Questions

23. Let’s Examine Creswell’s Example Example: “A researcher wants to examine the relationship of critical thinking skills (IV) to student achievement (DV) among boys and girls (G). Research Questions: Descriptive How do boys and girls rate on critical thinking skills? (focuses on the IV) What are the student achievement levels for boys and girls in science classes (focuses on DV) Research Questions: Inferential Questions Does critical thinking ability relate to student achievement? (IV and DV) Does critical thinking ability relate to student achievement for boys and girls? (IV and DV) *(Creswell, 2009, p.137) NOTE: IV (independent variable); ID (dependent variable); and G (group). Purpose Statement Hypotheses Research Questions

24. Your Turn A researcher wants to examine the relationship of self-efficacy (IV) to student achievement (DV) among first generation college students and second+ generation college students (G). What are some possible research questions? Focus on IV and DV and/or comparing groups. Purpose Statement Hypotheses Research Questions

25. Examining the Final Project: Your Research Proposal Frame your study around the answer Contact an individual & pose a question #1 issue facing higher education

26. Examining the Final Project: Your Research Proposal Paper Format For the body of your paper, use the APA style guidelines for organizing a manuscript and levels of headings. Introduction of the Problem (heading level 1) Introduce your reader to a problem that is facing higher education as identified by a colleague that you have interviewed on this topic. You do not necessarily need to label it "Introduction" just because it is the first section. The heading for this section should reflect the problem; for example, Factors that Affect Student Retention. Do not identify your source by name, create a name.

27. Examining the Final Project: Your Research Proposal Purpose Statement and Research Questions (heading level 1) Describe the purpose of your research proposal to explore the issue identified by your colleague. In this section, you should also note why this is an important issue worth studying. Two research questions should be stated in this section. Literature Review (heading level 1) Include at least five references to peer-reviewed articles that speak to the issue you are looking to investigate. This section should be approximately three pages long. Watch the YouTube presentation and review Creswell’s (2009) chapter (2) on the Literature Review. This section will be evaluated accordingly.

28. Examining the Final Project: Your Research Proposal Methods (heading level 1) This section should include the following: selection of qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods approach (including why your selection is the best for this study); specific methodology (i.e., case study, ethnography, sequential exploratory, etc.); methods (i.e., interviewing, survey, document review, etc.); and data source (i.e., students, faculty, institutional records, etc.). To improve readability, you should include a level 2 heading for each of these topics.

29. Examining the Final Project: Your Research Proposal Conclusion (heading level 1) End your paper by summarizing the major elements of your research proposal and suggest ways that your findings will contribute to the field of higher education. Length: The project should be approximately 8 pages long and include cover and reference pages (10 to 11 pages total). Writing Expectations: Prepare your paper in Times New Roman, 12-point font, with 1-inch margins, following the style conventions of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th edition).

30. Dr. D.’s Research Proposal Tips Please refer to my handout Tip #1: Review key chapters as you work on each section of your proposal. Use the text as your guide. Tip #2: Each research approach is different; thus, after you select your approach, re-read the chapter on that approach (quantitative, qualitative or mixed-method).

31. Dr. D.’s Research Proposal Tips Please refer to my handout directions Tip #3: Adhere strictly to the directions for organizing your research proposal. Don’t stray. Tip #4: The paper (in total) is 10-11 pages, double-spaced only, 12 point font, Times Roman (as established by APA).

32. Follow the 1-8-1 or 1-8-2 Rule Page 1: APA Cover Page Pages 2 through 9: Full Research Proposal with Proper Headings (follow directions) Page 10 or Pages 10-11: References (Use Microsoft Word auto feature to complete. See Dr. D.’s tutorial on this topic.)

33. Dr. D.’s Research Proposal Tips Please refer to my handout Tip #5: Create the correct headings throughout (as outlined in the directions) Tip #6: Watch the three YouTube videos that Dr. D. has posted in class, sent out via email and has posted in our Learning Space. Topics: How to Use Microsoft Word’s automatic citation/bibliography feature How to auto format your paper in APA Understanding the Literature Review (first 8 minutes)

35. Thank you for coming! I hope you have found Seminar to be informative and helpful. Please contact me via Open Office or through email if you have additional questions.