Introduction to Educational ResearchChapter One

Learning Outcomes1. Describe the reasoning involved in the

scientific method2. Describe the different approaches of

educational research3. Define and state the characteristics of each

research approach4. Identify and differentiate among research

purposes5. Discuss the ethical obligations of

researchers

Introduction to Research Why is educational research significant?

1. Educational research contributes to educational theory and educational practice

2. As a professional we need to know how to find, understand, and evaluate findings

3. As a professional we need to be able to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate research claims

Question: Can you think of another reason as to why educational research is important?

The Scientific Method Five steps in the scientific method

Recognition and definition of the problem Formulation of hypotheses Collection of data Analysis of data Stating conclusions

The Scientific Method: (Research Process) How do we obtain knowledge?1. Reasoning: logical thought to reach a conclusion

a. Inductive reasoning: involves developing generalizations based on observations of a limited number of

related events or experiences.(ex: page 4)

b. Deductive reasoning: involves essentially the reverse process, arriving at specific conclusions based on general principles, observations, or experiences(i.e., generalizations)

(ex: Page 4)

Limitations of the methods of obtaining knowledge Experience, authority, inductive

reasoning, and deductive reasoning, each approach to understanding has limitations when used in isolation

(Ex: page 4; Story about Aristotle) These methods are very effective when

used in conjunction with one another as components of the scientific method

Limitations of the Scientific Method1. Cannot answer all questions2. Correctness3. Cooperation

(all these things can limit and alter the results of the study)

Application of the Scientific Method in Education Research is the formal systematic

application of the scientific method to the study of problems

Educational research is the formal, systematic application of the scientific method to the study of educational problems.

Approaches to Research Quantitative Research: is the

collection and analysis of numerical data to describe, explain, predict, or control phenomena of interest1. states the hypotheses2. There is little personal interaction3. Assumptions about the world

Approaches to Research Qualitative Research: is the

collection, analysis, and interpretation of comprehensive narrative and visual (i.e., nonnumerical) data to gain insights into a particular phenomenon

1. No uniform world2. Believes in different perspectives3. No hypotheses

Differences between Qualitative and Quantitative1. Qualitative research often involves the

simultaneous collection of a wealth of narrative and visual data over an extended period of time vs. Quantitative research which is mainly the collection of numerical data

2. Qualitative research data collection, as much as is possible, occurs in a naturalistic setting vs. Quantitative research which tends to be done in more researcher controlled environments

Classifying Research

By method By Purpose

Quantitative

Qualitative

Survey Correlational Casual Comparative

Experimental Single subject

Narrative Ethnographic Case

study

Basic & applied

Evaluation

Research & Development

Action research

Quantitative DesignSurvey Research

Purpose – to collect numerical data to test hypotheses or answer questions about the current status of the subject of study.

Example: How do second grade teachers spend their

teaching time?

Quantitative DesignCorrelational

Purpose – to determine the extent to which two or more variables are statistically related

Example: What is the relation between intelligence

and self-esteem?

Quantitative DesignCausal-comparative

Purpose – to explore relationships among variables that cannot be actively manipulated or controlled by the researcher

Example: How does having a working mother affect a

child’s school absenteeism?

Quantitative DesignExperimental

Purpose – to establish cause and effect relationships between variables

Example: Is there an effect of reinforcement on

students’ attitude towards school?

Quantitative DesignSingle subject

Purpose – to investigate cause and effect relationships with samples of one (1).

Example:

What is the effect of a behavior modification program on John’s conduct in class?

Qualitative Design Three basic designs

Narrative Ethnography Case Study

Qualitative DesignsNarrative

Purpose – focus on studying a single person and gathering data through the collection of stories that are used to construct a narrative about the individual’s experience and the meanings he/she attributes to them

Example: how do teachers confront, and deal with, high

school students who have drug problems

Qualitative DesignsEthnography

Purpose – to obtain an understanding of the shared beliefs and practices of a particular group or culture

Example: what are the beliefs and practices of making a sandwich in an Indian culture?

Qualitative Design Case Study

Purpose – to conduct research on a unit of study or bounded system . an individual teacher, a classroom, or a school can be a case.

Example: How do Dowling College manage Doctor of Education Program in PhD?

The Purpose of Research Basic research

Collection and analysis of data to develop or enhance theory

Example: Learning theories Piaget Constructivism Gardener’s multiple intelligence

The Purpose of ResearchApplied research

Collection and analysis of data to examine the usefulness of theory in solving practical educational problems

Example: Will the theory of multiple intelligences help

improve my students’ learning?

The Purpose of Research Evaluation research

The collection and analysis of data to make decisions related to the merit or worth of a specific program

Example: Is the new reading curriculum better than the

old one? Is the new geography curriculum meeting the

students’ and teachers’ needs?

The Purpose of Research Research and development

The development of effective products for use in schools

Examples The development of a Smart Board to

enhance a teacher’s use of technology in the classroom

The Purpose of Research Action research

The collection and analysis of data to provide a solution to the practical, valued problems of educators within their own school or organization

Examples How can disciplinary policies be enforced

consistently in our school?

Milgram Obedience to Authority Experiment Video

Ethics Moral principles that govern a person's

or group's behavior.

Questions which deal with Right and Wrong.

Norms of Conduct.

Ethics in research The researcher has to think whether the

study is ethically “Right” to conduct.

If the research study will bring any negative influence on participants?

If the participants will face any embarrassments after conducting the research study?

Cont … If the researcher can keep the

confidentiality and privacy intact after the research?

If the researcher sought the participants consent to make them part of his or her research?

The Best Practice Two rules of Ethics of research are

following : Participants should not be harmed

Physically, Mentally and Socially.

Researchers obtain participants informed consent before conducting the research.

Development of Ethical codes for Research Different organizations developed Code

of Ethics for Research. In 1974 US Congress passed the

NATIONAL RESEARCH ACT OF 1974 which gives permission to National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research.

Discussion Questions What did you learn from the video in terms of Ethical

Considerations in Research?

Do you think that the methodology used in the research was Ethical? Explain.

If you were in the researcher’s place what would you have done differently, based on what you have learnt from the video?

How important are the ethical considerations in the research?

Closing Arguments It is important to understand different

approaches to educational research, such as qualitative and quantitative, and how a researcher applies the approaches while conducting the research.

It is also important to keep in mind the ethical context when developing the research methodology.

ReferenceGay, L.R.; Mills. G. E.; Airasian, P. (2012).

Educational Research: Competencies for analysis and applications. New York: Pearson.