1. Designing a Research Project
Introduction to Educational Research (4th ed.) C. M. Charles/Craig A. Mertler
Chapter 6
Designing a Research Project

2. How Planning for Research Should Be Done
Attention should be given to:
Introduction
Method
Data analysis
Time schedule
Budget (Gay & Airasian, 2000)
Planning according to whether research is qualitative or quantitative (Wiersma, 2000)

3. Tasks To Be Accomplished When Planning Research
TASK #1: State the topic, problem, and questions/hypotheses
Include importance of the study, limitations, delimitations, assumptions
TASK #2: Outline the library search for related information
Include both primary and secondary sources
Develop review from:
general
specific
earlier
more recent

4. Tasks To Be Accomplished When Planning Research (cont’d.)
TASK #3: Identify needed data and their sources
TASK #4: List the steps needed to complete the study
Include sampling procedures (if necessary), descriptions of what will be expected of participants, and methods of ensuring quality of data
TASK #5: Specify the procedures and tools to be used in data collection
Include description of data collection instruments

5. Tasks To Be Accomplished When Planning Research (cont’d.)
TASK #6: Foresee how data can best be analyzed and interpreted
Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative data
Anticipate possible findings and conclusions
TASK #7: Anticipate the appropriate report format, based on a generic format:
1. Specification of the problem
2. Review of related literature
3. Procedures and data collection
4. Data analysis
5. Findings
6. Conclusions

6. Applying Technology… Web sites to assist in writing reports
Dr. Trochim’s "Key Elements" of research reports (
Dr. Trochim’s guide to "Formatting" research reports (
The complete text of a sample research paper (