1. Research Methodology
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.

2. RESEARCH TOPIC
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

3. Problem! A question raised for inquiry, consideration or solution
A complex unsettled question
Source: Webster’s 7th New Collegiate Dictionary
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

4. What do we do with Problems?
Ignore them
Talk about them
Try to solve them
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

5. Problem? Can it be enthusiastically pursued?
Can interest be sustained by it?
Is the problem solvable?
Is it worth doing?
Will it lead to other research problems?
Is it manageable in size?
What is the potential for making an original contribution to the literature in the field?
If the problem is solved, will the results be reviewed well by scholars in your field?
Are you, or will you become, competent to solve it?
By solving it, will you have demonstrated independent skills in your discipline?
Will the necessary research prepare you in an area of demand or promise for the future?
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

6. What is a Research Problem?
It is a problem that someone would like to investigate.
It is considered a situation that needs to be changed or addressed.
These problems consist of:
Areas of concern
Conditions to be improved
Difficulties to be eliminated
Questions seeking answers
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

7. 3 types of topics
Topics about groups (preschool children, cats, grandmothers, police officers)
Topics about a particular behavior (bullying , math anxiety, overeating)
General topics ( job stress, personality, learning, motivation)
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

8. Six sources of research topics
1. Personal interest (your favorite course, subject, topic) Using computers in teaching, 2. Information/observation (any behavior that arouses your curiosity) Lack of black women in science majors 3. Practical problems (problems in your class, school, job) Six students failed in my last semester’s course 4. Pop ups -fleeting thoughts (falling apples) 5. Readings (books, magazines, web sites, even cartoons, advertisements) 6. Theories (theories that predict a behavior- opposing theories for the same behavior) General & Multiple Intelligence theories Learning Styles
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

9. The Research Problem
In educational research, the research problem is typically posed as a question.
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

10. Evaluating the problem
Effectiveness (can I find an answer?)
Why are black and Latino students behind white and Asians academically?
Significance (need, importance)
Is there a difference between freshman and junior students in their color preferences?
Originality ( already done)
Which one is more effective? Phonic or holistic approach to reading?
Is parental involvement effective in students’ progress?
Does technology help learning?
Feasibility (competent, access to data, cost, time, difficulties (lack of cooperation)
Longitudinal study of Jewish students in k-12
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

11. Factors to consider in Selecting a Research Problem
The topic should be important (significant)
Writing a thesis or dissertation is an exercise to learn how to conduct research.
However, graduate students can learn the research process on an important topic just as easy as learning the research process on daily topic!
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

12. More Factors to Consider…
Consider the feasibility of the project.
How much time do you have available
Do you really want to do a longitudinal study that will take 3 years to complete for a MS thesis?
How difficult is it. Are data available?
How much will it cost?
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

13. More Factors… Make sure the topic is ethical to study.
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

14. Factors to Consider in Selecting a Research Problem
You should have a personal interest in the topic.
By the time you are done, you may really be tired of the topic
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

15. More Factors to Consider…
The “newness” of the topic may hold you interest longer, however there is some value in repeating previous research
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

16. More Factors… Make sure the research question is clear.
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

17. Researchable vs. Non-researchable Questions
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

18. Writing Clear Questions
Don’t use words open to interpretation
Humanistic, teacher centered classroom
Be very specific
4-H agents, not extension agents
It is measurable
End of Course Test Scores, not learning
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

19. Defining Terms
There are 3 ways to clarify important terms or meaning in a research question:
1) use of constitutive definition (the dictionary approach)
2) use of proper example(s)
3) use of operational definition (specifying operations used to measure or identify examples of the term)
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

20. How does one find topics to research?
Become a scholar in an area of specialization
Read, listen, discuss and think critically
Follow up on ideas that stem from present research
Explore areas of dissatisfaction
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

21. Steps in “Zeroing In” on a Problem
Identify a broad area that interests you
Read the literature
Narrow the area to 2 or 3 topics
Thoroughly examine the literature on the 2-3 topics
Select a single problem from 2-3 topics
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

22. Refining the Topic The topic has to be “sized”!
Generally this means reducing the scope of the topic, occasionally it might be expanded.
Graduate students often select topics that are too broad
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

23. I want to research the effect of providing immediate feedback to university students!
Way too general and broad!
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

24. Refining the Topic The topic has to be “clarified”!
The topic needs to reworded so that it states clearly and unambiguously
the matter to be investigated,
the variables to be investigated,
and participants, if any, that will be involved.
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

25. I want to research the impact of providing immediate feedback via e-Instruction responders in RM graduate classes!
Much Better!
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

26. Refining the Topic
A series of research questions or one or more hypotheses, or both, should be stated.
Such questions and hypotheses orient the study, add cohesiveness, and are essential in helping solve the problem.
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

27. Increase student learning? Improve student evaluations of classes?
Does the use of e-Information responders to provide immediate feedback to graduate students in RM classes:
Increase student learning?
Improve student evaluations of classes?
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

28. It is hypothesized that:
Graduate students in RM classes who use the e-Instruction responders will score higher on mid-term and final exams than graduate students in RM classes who do not use the e-Instruction responders.
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

29. It is further hypothesized that:
Graduate RM classes in which e-Instruction responders are used will have higher course evaluations than will graduate RM classes in which the e-Instruction responders were not used.
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

30. Differences among the Topic, Problem, Purpose, and Questions
General
Topic
Distance learning
Research
Problem
Lack of students in distance classes
To study why students do not attend distance education classes at a community college
Purpose
Statement
Does the use of interactive web pages help to increase students’ enrollment in distance education classes?
Research
Question
Specific
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

31. (Statement of the problem – Research problem)
Hypothesis
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

32. HOW TO NARROW A RESEARCH TOPIC
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

33. When your research topic is too broad, ask yourself these questions:
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why?
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

34. Let’s see how this works with an example: eating disorders
This topic is too broad (general) to write about in a short paper. We need to make it narrower (more specific).
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

35. Who? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Populations Age NEW TOPIC:
Eating disorders in elderly females
Gender
Race or Ethnicity
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

36. What? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Types Anorexia NEW TOPIC:
Anorexia in elderly females
Bulimia
Compulsive eating
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

37. When? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Timeframes Current or historical view
NEW TOPIC:
Bulimia in middle-aged females
Period of life
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

38. Where? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Places States NEW TOPIC:
Anorexia in Australian women
Regions
Countries
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

39. Why? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Evaluate Causes NEW TOPIC:
Successful methods for treatment of compulsive eating
Treatments
Outcomes
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

40. Mix n’ Match
Combine any number of elements that you derive from asking these questions until you find an interesting topic to research.
Some examples:
Causes and treatment of anorexia in college athletes
Prevalence of bulimia in teen-age males in the United States
Changes in treatment for compulsive overeaters, 1950-present.
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

41. LITERATURE REVIEW
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

42. The purpose of a lit review
Each research study is part of an existing body of knowledge
Your study should be a logical extension of past research
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

43. Worst scenario
Making a list of unrelated or related but fragmented research articles,.
Jackson (2007) said…..
Betty (2009) said….
Thomas (1998) conducted a study about….
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

44. New research grows out of old
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

45. Literature Map
You may use a literature map before start writing your literature review.
A map helps you convey to others , the current picture of the literature on a topic.
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

46. Study Abroad Programs U.S. Programs The Need for Teaching Programs
to Be Culturally Responsive
Bennett, 1995; Eastman,
Smith, 1991; Grant 1994; Noel, 1995
Study Abroad
Programs
U.S.
Programs
Possible
Improvements
Martin, Rohrlich ,
1991; Stachowski,
1991
Personal Insights
of Preservice
Teachers
Cockrell, Placier,
Cockrell, Middleton,
1999; Goodwin, 1997;
Kea, Bacon, 1999
Attitudes Toward
Study Abroad
King, Young,1994
Conventional
Programs
Colville-Hall,
Macdonald, Smollen, 1995;
Rodriguez, Sjostrom, 1995; Vavrus, 1994
Need for Further Study:
Non-English Speaking Cultures
Question: Do short-term study
abroad programs in non-English
speaking cultures help create
cultural responsiveness in
preservice teachers?
Cross-Cultural
Programs
Cooper, Beare,
Thorman, 1990;
Larke, Wiseman,
Bradley, 1990
Predominately English
Speaking Cultures
Mahan, Stachowski, 1990;
Quinn, Barr, McKay,
Jarchow, Powell, 1995;
Vall, Tennison, 1992
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

47. The purpose of lit review
The purpose of your literature review is to provide the elements needed for directing (not just to justify) your own research study.
Your literature review should help the reader to predict the purpose of your research before you say it.
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

48. Mismatch of goal and lit review
Goal= study the effect of internet on aggressive behavior
Literature= teenagers and their social issues or
the advancement of technology
gender gap
racial differences.
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

49. Tips on lit review
Start with a web(Wikipedia) or some thing to get the whole picture or a review research
Make list of correct terms keywords, or subject words (foster care not foster home, cyber bully not internet bully )
Find key people or key authors
Use advanced search
You may start with a journal article and then search for the references in the article.
Use an outline or a research map.
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

50. Final words
1- Get a complete reference for each article. (Use RefWorks) 2- If it is a web site get the URL or DOI (digital object identifier). 3- Find suggestions for further research. 4- Criticize, modify , or extend an existing research. 5- Combine or contrast existing results. 6- Look for gaps or contradictions.
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

51. Homework 3
Please find problems, which can be your research topic (at least 5 topics), and make a literature map for each topic.
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

52. Qualitative Research Methods
Case study
Grounded theory
Phenomenology
Ethnography
Historical
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

53. Quantitative Research Methods
Descriptive
Correlational
Quasi-experimental
Experimental
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018

54. Questions?
Yun Seon Kim, Ph.D.
6/24/2018