Title Page and Introduction

Gregory A. Thomas, PhDCoe College

Action Research I

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Title PageReview the example.Center page information vertically.Allow for binding by HORIZONTALLY positioning information 3/4” to the right of the center.– Use a left margin of 1 1/2”– Top, Bottom, and Right ¾”

Title, Name, etc.

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Handouts

Your “Bible” for this class.

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Introduction

Contents– Purpose of the Study– Context for the Study– Review of Related research– Statement of Focus– Summary of Introduction

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Review Sample Proposal

Purpose of the StudyContext of Study

Research Topic

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Collegial Work

Share you’re possible topics with someone other than the person you worked with Tuesday.

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Questions

1) Is the topic a library project where you learn about a topic that interests you?

2) Is the topic problem-solving in the sense that of trying to find out what is wrong?

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3) Is the topic about doing research on or about people, or finding all available information on a topic looking for the correct answers?

4) Is the topic about learning why we do certain things.

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5) Is the topic important and doable in the confines of your daily work?

6) Does the problem to be studied come from a feeling of discomfort or tension in the classroom? If so how?

Focus Statements

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Focus Statement

Identifies the purpose of your study.It is a statement that completes the following– The purpose of this study is……

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Examples of a Focus Statement

The purpose of this study is to describe the effects of an integrated problem-solving mathematics curriculum on student transfer of problem-solving skills and the retention of basic math facts and functions.The purpose of this study is to describe the impact of bringing audience members into an interactive relationship with teen theatre productions on participants’ abilities to identify issues and incorporate solutions to similar problems in their own lives.The purpose of this study is to describe the effects of student-led conferences on parent and student satisfaction with the conferencing process.

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Focus Statement

Define the variables of the study.– A variable is a characteristic of your study

that is subject to change.• It might be the way you are going to change

how you teach, the curriculum you use, and student outcomes.

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Examine the first Focus Statement previously stated:– The purpose of this study is to describe the

effects of an integrated problem-solving mathematics curriculum on student transfer of problem-solving skills and the retention of basic math facts and functions.

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Focus Statement Activity

With a partner answer the following questions…

1. What are the variables?2. What needs to be defined?

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Answers

Independent Variable - integrated problem solving curriculumDependent Variables -StudentsDefinitionsASSUME Nothing!They would need to define what they mean by transfer of solutions to life’s situation, an integrated problem solving curriculum, transfer of problem solving skills, and the retention of math facts and functions.

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Developing Research Questions

Turn the focus into a question.These questions will also help you identify a focus for data collection plan.

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Examples of Research Questions

What is the effect of incorporating math manipulatives into problem-solving activities on student performance and open-ended problem-solving skills to other areas of mathematics?In what ways do students transfer problem-solving skills into other areas of mathematics?How do students incorporate problem-solving skills into other curriculum areas?

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How many questions should you have?

?Would one question cover your topic?Would ten questions relate to a large undoable project?You have enough questions when you have covered all aspect of the projects.Do you have enough questions to get the information that you want out of the research?

Review Research Proposal Handout - Focus Statement

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Focus Statement and Question Writing

Write a focus statement for each of the research topics that you brought to class. If you have narrowed your focus you can concentrate on that specific topic.Write questions based on the focus statements written.

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Peer Review

Select one other class member to share your focus statements and questions with.Compare the focus statements with the criteria in “proposal” packets.

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Next Step

You must have a written proposal with a title page, introduction section, and reference list.E-mail as well as a hard copy.

Literature Review and Focus Statements

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Johnson’s Highlights Of A Good Literature Review

A literature review is an examination of journal articles, ERIC documents, books, and other sources related to your action research topic.It is not an exhaustive review.

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Purpose of a Literature Review

1. To set your topic in a theoretical context and to make a connection between theory and your classroom practice.

2. Helps tie your action research project to what others have said and done before you.

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Sources For The Literature Review

Academic Journals– Most accurate– Magazines are not necessarily Academic

Journals– Articles found in Academic Journals have

been peer reviewed.

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Sources For The Literature Review

The Internet– Be careful– Not everything printed on the Internet is

reliable.– The only criteria for putting information on

the Internet that one has a website and the technical knowledge to post it.

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– ERIC Web Site• US Department of Education maintains this site

which is designed specifically for educators.• www.eric.ed.gov• Search ERIC Database• First Search• CSA

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Sources For The Literature Review

Books– Fairly credible– Don’t forget that just because it is printed in

a book that it is true. – Look for books that cite their sources and

those that are published by major publishing houses.

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Sources For The Literature Review

Nonprint Sources– Several can be used to provide the

background necessary to set the stage for the study.

• Impressions of other teachers• Thoughts from parents• Professors

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Make Sure You Document Your Sources

– Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association most current edition

– APA Handout

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How Many Sources Does Someone Need?

Rule of Thumb Doctoral Dissertation 50 or moreMasters Thesis 25 or moreGraduate Course 2 to 15

Questions or thoughts!