TSL3113 AR1

1. Introduction to research methods in education

Definition of educational research
- To investigate practices in order to fundamentally improve the way we learn, know
and describe our world.

The aims of educational research

-

To provide teachers, clinicians, managers and learners with systematically obtained

information that helps to improve the quality of the learning process.

The characteristics of educational research

-

Attempts to solve a problem

Involves gathering new data from primary sources or using existing data for a new
purpose
Based upon observable experience or empirical evidence
Demands accurate observation and description
Employs carefully designed procedures and rigorous analysis
Attempts to find an objective, unbiased solution to the problem
A deliberate and unhurried activity which is directional
Carefully recorded and reported to other persons interested in the problem.

Approaches in educational research

- The positivist approach (quantitative)
Numerical analysis
Emphasis on accuracy
Experimental research and survey
To understand patterns in human activity
To make predictions using methods to identify, measure and state accurately
relationship among variables being studied.
Forms hypotheses
Tests the relationship on subjects or randomly targeted population
Statistical analysis
Frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation
Quantitative values
Methods single subject; experimental; causal-comparative; descriptive;
correlational.
- The interpretive approach (qualitative)
Explains a phenomenon using verbal descriptive data
Field research frequent types of studies collect data through observation
and interviews
Examines in depth the characteristics of small group of subject.
Methods ethnographic; grounded theory; narrative; survey; case study.

Ethics of educational research

- The important aspects of research ethics
Voluntary participation
Self-determination
Physical and psychological or mental harm
Researchers identity
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Confidential personal information

Anonymity
Agreement of confidentiality
Betrayal
Deception or cheating
Copyright

- Ethical codes

Values
Self-awareness
Professionalism
Trustworthiness
Discipline guideline

2. Types of educational research

- Basic research

- Applied research
- Action research
- Evaluation research
Introduction to various types of educational research design
Quantitative research
- Experimental
- Quasi-experimental
- Survey
- Correlational

Qualitative research
- Ethnography
- Case study
- Historical

3. Educational research procedure

Choosing a research problem
Determining the research objective
Determining the research questions
Determining the research hypotheses
Reviewing the literature
Planning the research design
Determining the sampling procedure
Constructing the research instrument
Constructing the validity and reliability of the instrument
Determining the data collection procedure
Collecting data
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Analysing and interpreting the data

Reporting the results and findings

4. Action research: Concepts and model

Definition and concepts
The characteristics of action research
The importance of action research
Issues related to action research
Models of action research
- Stephen Kemmiss model
- John Elliotts model
- Dave Ebbutts model
- Jack Whiteheads model
- Jean McNiffs model
- Kurt Lewins model
5. Action research: The process
Adapted from the models of Lewin,1946 and Laidlaw,1992:
Identifying an aspect of the educational practice to improve
Planning an action
Implementing the action
Collecting the data
Reflecting on the action (before, during and after the action)
Taking further action
Developing the second cycle of action research
6. Action research: Planning and proposal
Context
Focus / aspect of practice to improve
Research questions
Literature review
Subjects of the study
Action plan
Implementation of action plan
Data collection methods
Reflection: Data analysis and interpretation
Work schedule
Budget
Sources of reference
7. Action research: Data collection methods
Observation: observer, participant-observer, participant
Document analysis
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checklists
Interview: structured, semi-structured, unstructured
8. Action research: Data collection methods
Questionnaires
Video and cassette recordings
Logs
Field notes
Photographs
Portfolios
Anecdotal records
Slides
Journals
Diaries
9. Action research: Data collection considerations
Sampling, validity, reliability, bias
Sampling and bias
Validity:
- External critics (originality of the data)
- Internal critics (accuracy of the data)
- Data triangulation

Reliability- The generalisability of findings

Ethics
10. Action research: data analysis
Qualitative data
Content analysis
Categorising the data
Coding the data
Arranging the data into analysis grids
Identifying the issues/themes/assertions
Further research activities
11. Action research: data analysis
Quantitative data
Descriptive analysis: Frequency, percentage, mean, mod, median, standard deviation,
correlation coefficient
12. Interpreting the action research data
Integrating various sources of data
Connecting the data with literature review
Summarising the results and drawing conclusions

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13. Writing an action research report

The context/background of the study
Literature review
Focus/ aspect of the practice to improve
The action plan
Implementation of action plan
Data collection methods
Data analysis and interpretation
Reflection and implications
Plan for further action
Citation of references :American Psychological Association (APA)

14. Writing an action research article

Abstract
The context
Research focus
Action plan
Implementation of action plan
Data collection methods
Data analysis and interpretation
Reflection and implications
The next step
Bibliography
15. Ways of making action research data public
Seminars
Publications
Action research networks

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