1. PhD Research Seminar Series: Selecting a Research Topic Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

2. Overview Research: Process of identifying something unknown and collecting data to make it known. Research: Process of identifying something unknown and collecting data to make it known. Selecting a Research Topic Selecting a Research Topic Developing Research Questions Developing Research Questions Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

3. Choosing a Research Topic 1. Pick a general topic that you are interested in. 2. Determine the focus of your research study Basic: Test a theory Basic: Test a theory Applied: Improve educational practice Applied: Improve educational practice Extend previous research Extend previous research Different population Different population Trends over time Trends over time 3. Write down the conclusion that you want to make once you are completely finished with your paper. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

4. Tips for Finding a Research Question Read journal articles Read journal articles Read more journal articles. Read more journal articles. Future Directions segment of the Discussion section. Future Directions segment of the Discussion section. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

5. Psychology BasicApplied Research conducted to test theories and build a foundation of knowledge. Research conducted to solve practical human problems. How does memory work? How does learning occur? Why do people do what they do? (Motivation) How can we help our students memorize facts? What teaching methods can we use to help our students learn more effectively? How can we use principles of motivation to help our students succeed? Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

6. Stating Desired Conclusion Basic: Name of theory has been shown to be incomplete because the theory says ______, but my research study has demonstrated the opposite, ______. Basic: Name of theory has been shown to be incomplete because the theory says ______, but my research study has demonstrated the opposite, ______. Applied: This research study demonstrates that education can be improved by treatment in study because students who received the aforementioned treatment performed better than students in a control group. Applied: This research study demonstrates that education can be improved by treatment in study because students who received the aforementioned treatment performed better than students in a control group. Extend: Previous research has demonstrated ________. This research study provides evidence that the previous research cannot be generalized to name of population because ___________. Extend: Previous research has demonstrated ________. This research study provides evidence that the previous research cannot be generalized to name of population because ___________. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

7. Developing Research Questions 1. Rephrase the conclusion you want to make into a general research question. 2. Identify your key variables 3. Develop a few more specific research questions that provide the details to your general research question. ONLY write research questions for the independent and dependent variables in your general research question. ONLY write research questions for the independent and dependent variables in your general research question. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

8. Developing Research Questions Do primary students perform differently on quantitative reasoning tasks when presented with numbers or pictures to represent numbers? Do primary students perform differently on quantitative reasoning tasks when presented with numbers or pictures to represent numbers? Do primary students perform better on a pictorial task of quantitative reasoning or on a matched symbolic task of quantitative reasoning? Do primary students perform better on a pictorial task of quantitative reasoning or on a matched symbolic task of quantitative reasoning? Do primary students choose to use a symbolic or a pictorial representation of quantity when solving a quantitative reasoning task? Do primary students choose to use a symbolic or a pictorial representation of quantity when solving a quantitative reasoning task? Can primary students fluently move between pictorial and symbolic representations of quantity? Can primary students fluently move between pictorial and symbolic representations of quantity? Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

9. Key Variables Determine Your Independent and Dependent Variables Determine Your Independent and Dependent Variables –Independent Variable: Any variable that the researcher manipulates in an experiment; proposed cause –Dependent Variable: A variable that is being measured in an experiment; the proposed effect; depends on experimental situation –NOTE: Correlational studies have two variables; neither are classified as independent or dependent variables Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

10. Key Variables Independent Variable Dependent Variable(s) Treatment What the Treatment Changes Groups What differs Between the Groups Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

11. Key Variables Counseling Academic Achievement Interest Alcohol Consumption Teaching Method Homework Completion Parental Involvement Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

12. Key Variables Group Response to Counseling Adjustment in School Academic Achievement Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

13. Summary Selecting a Topic Selecting a Topic 1.Select a general topic 2.Determine the focus 3.Write down the final conclusion you want to make Developing Research Questions Developing Research Questions 1.Turn the conclusion into a general research question 2.Identify independent and dependent variables 3.Develop more specific research questions Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

14. Three Questions 1. Has this research question been answered in previous research studies? 2. Will this research study contribute meaningfully to either theory or practice (preferably both)? 3. Using the resources available to me, can I feasibly answer this research question? Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

15. Concluding Advice It is better to say one thing with certainty than many things unconvincingly. It is better to say one thing with certainty than many things unconvincingly. The best dissertation is a completed dissertation. The best dissertation is a completed dissertation. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos