Follow-Up: Objectives, Reflections, Readings

Nov. 20

Components & Interrelationshipan understanding of the potential/actual nature and

interrelationship of the following components:• a specific research problem and question• the researcher’s orientation to the relevant subject

matter• the technique for gathering data (or material for a

project)• the pragmatics (and ethical considerations) for

implementing research in a given setting• in the case of a project, the pragmatics of developing

the proposed “product”

Objectives• familiarity with the related literature and with the

literature review process• knowledge of the conventional structure and content

types associated with a thesis document, and of the possibilities for their adaptation

• ability to develop an informed application for ethics approval

• ability to articulate clearly your research/project focus to a non-specialist audience, also through the preparation and use of visual aides

• ability to discuss and compare the research or project activity with those of other students and researchers

Proposals & Proposal Reflections

• Ashok & I both read through all reflections• Both of us commented on them (in most

cases)• In cases where your reflections “progressed

from” the proposal, I focused on your research questions

• If either of us asked for further discussion, please arrange that with us –or if we raise questions in comments, etc.

Creswell: Chapters

1. Selecting a research design2. Review of the Literature3. Use of Theory4. Writing (the proposal) & Ethics

5. Introduction6. Purpose7. Research Questions8. ( - 10.) Quantitative/Qualitative/Mixed Methods

Theory forQuantitative

Research

Use of Theory: A formalized expression (part) of a world-view

Theory for Qualitative &

Mixed-Methods Research

Theory-Construct

Post-Positivist

Advocacy, Pragmatic, Constructivist

Theory forQuantitative

Research

Use of Theory: A formalized expression (part) of a world-view

Theory for Qualitative &

Mixed-Methods Research Theory-

Construct

ReflectionsVocabulary used in Research Question

Method / Technique Worldview (philosophical frame for study)

Effective, effectiveness, efficiency, factors in success

Comparison, measuring outcomes

Post-positive

Practices, techniques, methods (e.g. of teachers, students, administrators)

ethnography, ethnomethodology, observation,

Pragmatic, Constructivist

Policies, policy, principles, procedures (e.g. of educational institutions, documents)

Policy and textual analysis, hermeneutics, discourse analysis

Pragmatic, Advocacy, Constructivist

Experience, feelings, incidents (of subjects)

Phenomenology, perception study, interviews, surveys

Pragmatic

Vocabulary used in Research Question

Method / Technique Worldview (philosophical frame for study)

Perceptions, thoughts, impressions, feelings (of subjects)

Perception study, interviews, focus groups, surveys

Pragmatic, Advocacy

Learning, understanding, remembering, applying; motivation, attitude(s) (usually of students)

Pre-test and post-test; also: comparison, interviews, surveys, observations

Post-positive, Constructivist

Improvement, problem solving, solutions, reflection, situation, use of first person (“I am”)

Action research; Autoethnography

Pragmatic, Advocacy

Correlations, associations, factors, characteristics, demographics

Surveys, use of existing census and survey data

Post-positive, Advocacy, Pragmatic

Questions for Group Discussion

• Since this class meets infrequently, how could we best “bridge” f2f classes and keep in touch in-between?

• Given proposal document you submitted in the summer, your reflections on it, our feedback and your ongoing readings, what do you see as the principle obstacles in developing your research?

Proposal OutlinesConstructivisInterpretivist

Advocacy/ Participatory

Quantitative Mixed methods TRU MEd

Introduction Introduction Introduction Introduction; Purpose IntroductionStatement of problem (include relevant lit.)

Statement of problem (issue/controversy

Statement of problem (issue & its significance)

The research problem; Past research on the problem

rationale, purpose, intent

Purpose & Delimitations

Purpose & Delimitations

Purpose & Delimitations

Deficiencies in past research; the audiences that will profit from the study

significance of the topic/research area

Theoretical Perspective

Statement of purpose, reason for mixed methods

The research questions

The research questions

Research questions or hypotheses

Research questions and hypotheses

research question

Philosophical assumptions

Constructivist/ Interpretivist

Advocacy/ Participatory

Quantitative Mixed methods TRU MEd

Review of the Literature?

Review of the Literature?

Review of the Literature

Review of the Literature

Review of the Literature

Procedures Procedures Methods Methods Design/Methodology

Philosophical assumptions

Philosophical assumptions

Type of research design

Definition of mixed methods

the procedures the researcher will follow in carrying out the research

Research Strat. Research Strat. Popultn, sample, subjects

Design type: challenges & examples

the subjects and how they are chosen; location

Role of researcher

Role of researcher

procedures the researcher will follow in carrying out the research

Data coll. procedures

(Collaborative) prcdrs for data collection, recording, analysis

Data collection, variables, materials; Data analysis

Data collection and analysis (qualitative); Data collection and analysis (quantitative)

how the data will be handled, analyzed, presented

Validation strategies

Validation strategies

Validation strategies

limitations of the study

Narrative structure

Narrative structure

Visual Diagram (?)