1. RESEARCH QUESTION EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH

3. Role of the Research Question Ê Attempts to focus on a stated goal Ë Gives direction to research process Ì Suggests the hypothesis(es)

5. RESEARCH QUESTION u Must be CLEARLY stated!!!! u Must be SIGNIFICANT!!!! u Must be ETHICAL!!!! u Must be FEASIBLE!!!! u Must indicate RELATIONSHIP!!!!

6. RESEARCH QUESTION u The educational significance of your study must be one/more of following: Ê advance knowledge in the field Ë improve instructional practices Ì help individual (person-school- agency)

7. Ethical Conduct u Ethics ALWAYS relevant u Physical/psychological risk/harm u Vulnerable persons u Anonymity u Confidentiality u Informed consent

9. RESEARCH QUESTION CLARITY u Operational definition u very specific meaning u ascribes meaning to concepts and constructs u specifies operations to measure - manipulate concept

10. More on Operational Definitions u written in complete, grammatically correct sentences

11. RESEARCH QUESTION CLARITY u Two types of operational definitions: ¶ MEASURED--measure a concept [IQ] · EXPERIMENTAL--steps to produce a certain condition [frustration/anxiety] u Another way to define terms: u CONSTITUTIVELY--dictionary defn.

12. What are Researchable Questions? u Data can provide answers u NO value judgments

13. Sample Researchable Questions u Is there a significant difference between client-centered therapy and behavior modification in client satisfaction among middle-aged adults? u What is the effect of Ritalin on success rate in math of elementary school children?

14. What are NonResearchable Questions? u Data CANNOT be collected to answer question

15. Sample NonResearchable Questions u Are children who attend Sunday School more likely to go to Heaven than children who do not? u Is behavioral family therapy the BEST method for counselors to use with alienated youth?

16. Which are which? u Does high school achievement influence the academic achievement of university students? u RESEARCHABLE u What is the LEAST effective way to teach grammar? u NONRESEARCHABLE

17. Which are which? u Should elementary school teachers use the inquiry method to teach math concepts? u VALUE JUDGMENT u What is the effect of kindergarten on success in first grade? u RESEARCHABLE

18. Writing Your Own Question u Be within your area of Expertise and interest u Be able to collect data u Be feasible l timelocation l resources money

20. How to Phrase Question u What is the effect of [independent variable] on [dependent variable] among [population] ? u EXAMPLE u What is the effect of study skills on reading achievement among sixth grade students ?

21. Another Example u What is the effect of a mainstreaming workshop on teachers’ attitudes toward mainstreaming among secondary teachers ?

22. Another Example u What is the effect of computer-based instruction versus traditional instruction on math achievement among elementary school children ?

23. How to Phrase Question? u Is there a significant difference between [independent variable] and/versus [independent variable] on [dependent variable] among [population] ? u Is there a significant difference between boys and girls on math achievement among at-risk students ?

24. Another Example u Is there a significant difference between elementary and secondary teachers ’ attitudes on the purposes of school among Southern teachers ?

25. Another Example u Is there a significant difference between boys and girls on computer usage among middle school students ?

26. INTRODUCTION TO PROPOSAL u The second paragraph of the introduction SHOULD read as follows:

27. The purpose of this proposal is to [state research question in form of a sentence]. [1 or 2 filler sentences elaborating upon the purpose]. Therefore, the educational significance of this study will be to [choose 1 of the following or in combination---advance the existing body of knowledge in [field of...]; improve instructional practices of [subject]; and/or help an individual/school... ]