The Nature of Research

Chapter One

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The Nature of Research

Chapter One

McGraw-Hill

2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

What is Educational Research?

The ability to answer a question or concern facing many of us in the area of Education. Teachers, counselors, administrators, parents, and students continually need to seek information in order to perform their jobs.
Keupayaan untuk menjawab soalan atau kebimbangan yang dihadapi oleh ramai di antara kita di kawasan Education.Teachers, kaunselor, pentadbir, ibu bapa, dan pelajar secara berterusan perlu untuk mendapatkan maklumat untuk menjalankan tugas mereka.

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How Does One Obtain Information?

People do the following to obtain information: Consult experts Review books and articles Question/observe colleagues Rely on past experience Use intuition Using scientific research provides another way to obtain information Information is reliable and accurate Allows an understanding of why research is valuable Orang yang melakukan perkara-perkara berikut untuk mendapatkan maklumat: Rujuk kepada buku-buku dan articlesQuestion expertsReview / mematuhi colleaguesRely experienceUse lalu intuitionUsing penyelidikan saintifik menyediakan cara lain untuk mendapatkan informationInformation boleh dipercayai dan accurateAllows pemahaman mengapa penyelidikan adalah berharga

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Ways of Knowing That Things Exist

Sensory Experience Agreement/Sharing with Others Expert Opinion Logical Reasoning The Scientific Method

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Ways of Knowing (Figure 1.1)

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The Scientific Method

Testing ideas in the public arena by formulating a hypothesis (a tentative, testable assertion about certain behaviors, phenomena, or events) within a rigorous format. Must be reproducible and described in sufficient detail through 5 distinct steps:

State the problem Define the purpose of the study How to gather the information How to organize and analyze the information obtained How the information is interpreted

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The Chaos Theory

A major principle from the 1970s that emphasizes the rarity of general laws, and states that if the data base is large enough, repeated patterns can be discovered and used, even when the conditions are chaotic. Even with highly complex data, predictability exists if patterns can be found across time.

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Types of Research

Research is the formal, systematic application of scholarship, disciplined inquiry, and most often the Scientific Method to the study of problems. Research methodologies include:
Experimental research Correlational research Causal-comparative research Survey research Ethnographic research Historical research Action research

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Experimental Research

Most conclusive of all scientific methods. The researcher establishes treatments and studies the effects, which can lead to clear interpretations.

The independent variable: What is being tested The dependent variable: What is the outcome (i.e., score)

Single Subject Research is another form of Experimental Research.

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Example of Experimental Research Results (Figure 1.2)

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Correlational Research

Examines a relationship among two or more variables; looks for a cause and effect. Can help make more intelligent predictions. This approach requires no manipulation or intervention, except to administer the instrument. Used when you want to look for and describe relationships that may exist naturally.

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Is this Assumption Correct? (Figure 1.3)

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Causal-Comparative Research

Determines the cause for, or consequences of, differences between groups of people. Interpretations are limited due to the fact that the investigator can not say conclusively whether a particular factor is a cause for or a result of a behavior. Differences may occur, but the investigator will not be able to say for sure what caused the difference.

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Survey Research

Obtains data to determine specific characteristics of a group. Variety of survey techniques exist, such as:

Descriptive: asks same set of questions (i.e., interview) Open-ended questions

There are 3 difficulties involved with survey research:

Ensuring that questions are clear and not misleading Getting participants to answer questions honestly Getting enough questionnaires back so valid interpretations can be made

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Ethnographic Research

A form of Qualitative Research Emphasizes documenting or portraying the everyday experiences of individuals by observing and interviewing them in a naturalistic setting. Data can include descriptions, audiotapes, video footage, flowcharts showing relationships, etc.

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Historical Research

Another form of Qualitative Research. Some aspect of the past is studied. Data is collected and evaluated objectively in order to establish whether causes, effects, or trends of a past event may explain present or future events or occurrences. The major problem with this research is the question of using an event or time sequence as a true outcome.

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Action Research

Differs from previously discussed methods in two ways:

1)

Generalizations to other persons, settings, or situations is of minimal importance

researchers focus on getting information that will enable them to change conditions in a particular situation (i.e., identifying methods to improve special ed services at a school)

2)

Subjects become active members of the research process by collecting data, etc.
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Critical Analysis of Research

Critics raise philosophical, linguistic, ethical, and political concerns such as:
Question Question Question Question

of of of of

Reality Communication Values Unstated Assumptions

Anything taken for granted before being tested

Question of Societal Consequences

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The Research Process

The schematic components of research are as follows:

Statement of the problem: description of the background and rationale for performing the study Hypothesis: prediction of what is expected to occur, or relationship expected between the variables (factors being considered) Definitions: key terms in the problem statement
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The Research Process (cont.)

Review of Literature: past or current studies that are relevant to the study Sample: subjects of the study Instrumentation: what will be used to measure or collect data Procedures: step-by-step directions, outlining what will occur from beginning to end Data Analysis: statistical procedure to analyze and explain the data
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The Research Process (Figure 1.4)

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