introduction to the process of research

7/25/2019 Introduction to the Process of Research

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Introduction to the Process of

Research

Power Point Slides by Ronald J. Shope in collaboration with John W. Creswell


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Educational Research 2e: Creswell

1. Research is

A process of steps used to collect and

analyze information to increase our

understanding of a topic or issue. The

general steps:1. Pose a question.

2. Collect data to answer the question.

3. Present an answer to the question.


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2. Research is importance because:

1. It adds knowledge about educational issues

2. It helps improve practice

3. It informs policy debates4. It builds student research skills:

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Writing skills

Presentation skills


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3. The steps in conducting research:

Identify the

Research Problem

Review the

Literature

Evaluate Dataand

Write Report

Specify aResearch

PurposeCollect Data

Analyze andInterpret

Data


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Specifying a purpose for

research

The purpose for research consists of

identifying the major intent or objective

for study and narrowing it into specific

research questions or hypotheses.



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Collecting data

Identifying and selecting individuals for

a study

Obtaining their permission to study

them and gathering information by

asking people questions or observing

their behaviors



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Analyze and interpreting the

data

Analyzing and interpreting the data involvesdrawing conclusions about it; representing it

in tables, figures, and pictures to summarize

it; and explaining the conclusions in words toprovide answers to your research questions.

You report analysis and interpretation in

sections of

a research report usually titled Results,

Findings, or Discussions.



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Reporting and evaluating

research

Reporting research involves deciding on audiences,

structuring the report in a format acceptable to these

audiences, and then writing the report in a manner

that is sensitive to all readers. The audiences for

research will vary from academic researchers whocontribute and read journal articles, to faculty

advisors and committees that review masters theses

and dissertations, to personnel in educational

agencies and school districts and etc. Evaluating research involves assessing the quality of

a study using standards advanced by individuals in

education.



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6. Skills needed for research

Curiosity to solve puzzles

Lengthen your attention span

Using the library and computer

resources

Writing and editing


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Definitions of Qualitative andQuantitative Research

Quantitative ResearchA type of educationalresearch in which theresearcher decides what tostudy, asks specific, narrowquestions, collects numeric(numbered) data from

participants, analyzes thesenumbers using statistics, and

conducts the inquiry in anunbiased, objective manner.Quantitative: Deslandes, R., & Bertrand, R.

(2005). Motivation of parent involvement insecondary-level schooling. Journal ofEducational Research, 98(3), 164175.

Qualitative ResearchA type of educational research inwhich the researcher relies onthe views of participants, asksbroad, general questions,collects data consisting largely ofwords (or text) from participants,describes and analyzes thesewords for themes, and conducts

the inquiry in a subjective, biasedmanner.

Qualitative: Shelden, D. L., Angell, M. E., Stoner,

J. B., & Roseland, B. D. (2010). Schoolprincipals infl uence on trust: Perspectives ofmothers of children with disabilities. Journal of

Educational Research, 103, 159170.


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Comparison of Qualitative

Methods of Research

Theoretical qualitative Quantitative

Nature of Reality Multiple realities. Reality is

constructed by the observer.

Single reality. In a well-

designed study, a reasonable

approximation of reality can

be observed

Objectivity/Subjectivity

Dichotomy

Subjectivity based on role of

researcher is expected.Objectivity is inconsistent with

the idea of a constructed

reality

Objectivity is critical in a

scientific approach toacquiring knowledge

Role of Research Researcher is central to any

study. Interpretations are

based on researchers

experience and background.

Researcher tries to remain

outside of the system, keeping

biases to a minimum.

Generalizability, Cause and

effect

Not interested in cause and

effect or generalizing, but

want people to apply to own

situations.

Goal to apply to other

situations

Ways of Knowing Multiple ways of knowing. We

can learn about something in

many ways.

Best way of knowing is

through the process of

science.Lichtman, M. (2011), Qualitative Research in Education: A User's Guide
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CCIQ6AEwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3D_5zOUjv7ULkC%26pg%3DPA254%26lpg%3DPA254%26dq%3D%2522Marilyn%2BLichtman%2522%2Bpowerpoint%2Bpresentation%26source%3Dbl%26ots%3DqqJDtzNNE5%26sig%3D-ENfacLFVTNnnCe3rvNWo9bhvJ0%26hl%3Den&ei=7GdNUKTwH4XzrQfe3IDgAw&usg=AFQjCNHWivMGBY64PgakBs0-SKRss5KzWwhttp://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CCIQ6AEwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3D_5zOUjv7ULkC%26pg%3DPA254%26lpg%3DPA254%26dq%3D%2522Marilyn%2BLichtman%2522%2Bpowerpoint%2Bpresentation%26source%3Dbl%26ots%3DqqJDtzNNE5%26sig%3D-ENfacLFVTNnnCe3rvNWo9bhvJ0%26hl%3Den&ei=7GdNUKTwH4XzrQfe3IDgAw&usg=AFQjCNHWivMGBY64PgakBs0-SKRss5KzWw


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Comparison of Qualitative

Methods of Research

Practical qualitative Quantitative

Group Studied Trends to be smaller,

nonrandom,

Researchers mat get

involved in lives of

those studied

Tends to be larger,

randomly selected.

Anonymity important

Variables Study of the whole

rather than specific

variables

A few variables studied

Type of data collected Emphasis in on words.

Increasing interest invisual data

Emphasis is on umbers

Type of data analysis Coding and themes.

Some use computers

Statistical analysis.

Computers

Writing Style Less formal, more

personal

Scientific and

impersonalLichtman, M. (2011), Qualitative Research in Education: A User's Guide
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CCIQ6AEwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3D_5zOUjv7ULkC%26pg%3DPA254%26lpg%3DPA254%26dq%3D%2522Marilyn%2BLichtman%2522%2Bpowerpoint%2Bpresentation%26source%3Dbl%26ots%3DqqJDtzNNE5%26sig%3D-ENfacLFVTNnnCe3rvNWo9bhvJ0%26hl%3Den&ei=7GdNUKTwH4XzrQfe3IDgAw&usg=AFQjCNHWivMGBY64PgakBs0-SKRss5KzWwhttp://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CCIQ6AEwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3D_5zOUjv7ULkC%26pg%3DPA254%26lpg%3DPA254%26dq%3D%2522Marilyn%2BLichtman%2522%2Bpowerpoint%2Bpresentation%26source%3Dbl%26ots%3DqqJDtzNNE5%26sig%3D-ENfacLFVTNnnCe3rvNWo9bhvJ0%26hl%3Den&ei=7GdNUKTwH4XzrQfe3IDgAw&usg=AFQjCNHWivMGBY64PgakBs0-SKRss5KzWw


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The Development of QuantitativeResearch: Historical Trends

Statistical Procedures

Test and Measurement Practices

Research Designs


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Historical Trends: QuantitativeStatistical Procedures

Correlational procedures

Comparing groups

Cause/Effect relationships


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Characteristics of Quantitative and QualitativeResearch in the Process of Research

Steps in theResearch Process

Analyze andInterpret Data

Report and Evaluate

Collecting Data

Specifying a Purpose

Reviewing the Literature

Identifying a Problem

QuantitativeCharacteristics

QualitativeCharacteristics

Descriptive/Explanatory Exploratory/Understanding

a Central PhenomenaMajor Role

Justify Problem Minor Role

Justify ProblemSpecific and NarrowMeasurable/Observable

General and Broad

Participants ExperiencePre-determinedInstruments

Numeric Data

Large numbers

General, emerging form

Text or image data

Small Number

Statistical

Description of Trends

Comparisons/Predictions

Text AnalysisDescription and Themes

Larger Meanings of Findings

Standard and Fixed

Objective and Unbiased

Flexible and Emerging

Reflexive and Biased


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Ways in Which Quantitative and

Qualitative Research are Similar

They both follow the steps in the

process of research

Format for reporting the research

problem is the same

Both have data collection steps


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How Procedures or Research Designs Relate toQuantitative and Qualitative Research and Steps inthe Process of Research

Steps in the Research Process

Analyze and Interpret Data

Report and Evaluate

Collecting Data

Specifying a Purpose

Reviewing the Literature

Identifying a Problem

Research DesignsTwo Approaches

Quantitative

Qualitative

Quantitative

Qualitative

Quantitative

Qualitative

Quantitative

Qualitative

Quantitative

Qualitative

Quantitative

Qualitative

Experimental

Correlational

Survey

Ethnography

Grounded

Theory

Narrative

Mixed

Action


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Quantitative Designs and Uses

Experimental

Research

Correlational

Research

Survey

Research

Explaining whether anintervention influences

an outcome for one

group as opposed to

another group

Associating or

relating variables

in a predictable

pattern for one

group of

individuals

Describing trends for

the population of

people

Intervention

Research

Non-Intervention

Research


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Qualitative Designs and Uses

Ethnographic

Research

Grounded Theory

Research

Narrative

Research

Exploring the sharedculture of a people

group

Exploring common

experiences ofindividuals to

develop a theory

Exploring individualstories to describe

the lives of people


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How Do You Choose Whether to Use the

Quantitative or Qualitative Approach?

Match the approach to the problem

Fit the approach to your audience

Relate the approach to your

experiences


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Ethical considerations in

research:

respect the site in which the research takes

place

Data should be reported honestly.

studies completed by others should not beplagiarized, and credit should be given for

material quoted from other studies.

research should not sit unpublished and that

researchers should openly share their

findings

introduction to the process of research

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