Action Research Proposal Presentation Brittany Barrington February 12, 2015 EDU671: Fundamentals of Educational Research Dr. Kathy Hoover

Area-of-Focus The purpose of this study is to train crime scene personnel with the highest level of professional standards so as to provide the citizen of the county with skilled crime scene personnel who are thorough, knowledgeable, competent and responsive to the needs of public.

Explanation of Problem: Identify training issues in reference to current practices of problem-solving and decision-making made out on in the field. No set national standards are set for forensic work. A report by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) (2009) concluded that, “The level of scientific development and evaluation varies substantially among forensic science disciplines” (p. S-5). It is up to the department to set protocols and standards for effective and quality work.

Research Question: What type of collaborative software tool can help bring together individual crime scene personnel’s ideas and opinions in order to enable them to be a better at their jobs?

Innovation:  Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft Sharepoint is SharePoint is an innovation tool that works hand in hand with Microsoft Office programs. According to Kennedy (2008), “SharePoint is a software platform used for hosting customizable websites where multiple users can share documents and work on projects where the result is a personalized portal page where you and everyone else given access can find, see and manage all of the relevant information for your project.” SharePoint is an effective tool that will aid as a training tool by multiple people.

Innovation Continued… Four crime scene personnel will have access to Microsoft SharePoint on their own computers at their desks. They will use Microsoft SharePoint to share new ideas, concepts, and procedures in relation to training within the forensic field. They will also use the many features Microsoft SharePoint provides to use their own thoughts and ideas and create training material during a six week time frame. The results will be to present new ways of training, learning and opportunities to help enrich other personnel’s level, standards and quality of work.

SharePoint Characteristics:

Statement of Resources:  Four willing personnel already in the field  Computers with Microsoft SharePoint programming  Likert Scales

Literature Review: Microsoft SharePoint is a “Group Support System (GSS) that could be any combination of hardware and software that enhances group work. GSS is a generic term that includes all forms of collaborative computing” (Turban, E., Aronson, J. & Liang, T., 2005, p. 361). Microsoft SharePoint is a GSS tool that is a way to bring crime scene personnel together with real-time collaborate on webpages, documents, lists, calendars, and data. By using a collaborative tool such as Microsoft SharePoint, more businesses are “looking for ways to streamline communication, improve innovation, and share corporate knowledge” (Atkins & Cole, 2010). Microsoft SharePoint is an innovation tool of technology that could be effectively used to enhance problem solving and decision-making skills of field-level crime scene personnel. No matter when the individuals are working, everyone can make sure their opinions are herd through this program. According to Dahl (2010), “various components of SharePoint fulfill the business organizational needs, which include recording reference transactions, publishing policies and procedures, and sharing pertinent information”.

Variables:  Study will happen at their desks  Use of their own computers  Hesitation even after tutorial  Biased already towards old and new technology  All consenting adults  No physical harm to participants

Locus of Control:  Both internal and external locus of control  Effort and task difficulty for the study  Showing support for participants and encouragement

Negotiations and Ethics:  Obtaining written consent for participation for study  If everyone can participate for six weeks  Making sure SharePoint is accessible and workable In Ethical Principles of Practice: Evidence From Participatory Action Research advised that informed consent was made possible by, “reflection, open communications, negotiations and agreed actions” (Smith, 2008, p. 18). This will be able to have research that promotes various ways of changes. The information gathered and implemented within the study will not cause anyone to lose their job, but open up ways for better communication and work production.

Group Membership: Each participant will/ will be:  Speak out on current training using Likert  Choose a current training or procedure issue  Notate personal opinions on the chosen issue  Conduct scholarly research on issue  Responsible for sharing information obtained on innovation  Active in using Microsoft SharePoint social media  Be open to other participant’s opinions

Plan Using Microsoft SharePoint:  Install Microsoft SharePoint on participant’s computers  Likert Scale survey obtained prior to start  Participants use tutorial prior to start  Professional standards topic given to research  Use of all aspects of Microsoft SharePoint  Share work using the social media option  Likert Scale exit survey and interviews

Timeline: Week 1  Install Microsoft SharePoint on participant’s computers  Likert Survey prior to starting study Weeks 2-4  Identify training issues in procedures  Find a topic for possible solution(s)  Research topic using various modes Week 5  Post gathered information onto SharePoint for everyone Week 6  Exit Likert Scale and personal interview

Action Plan: Research Question Data Collection Tools Why these tools? Justify its use in your study. How does it match with what you are attempting to find and to measure? What type of collaborative software tool can help bring together individual crime scene personnel’s ideas and opinions in order to enable them to be a better at their jobs? Microsoft Sharepoint along with the use of the Likert Scale (Mills, 2014) This attitude scale can be used to gather information on how personnel feel about using technology programs to become more organized. Also to help with communication and collaboration within the work environment. It will also help gauge how personnel feel about working with each other using through a technology program and not face to face.

References: Atkins, L., & Cole, C. (2010). An introduction to collaboration with SharePoint for first-year business students. Journal Of Information Systems Education, (3), 283. Dahl, D. (2010). An unexpected ally: Using Microsoft's SharePoint to create a departmental intranet. Journal Of Web Librarianship, 4(2/3), 207. doi: / Kennedy, D. (2008). SharePoint: A legal killer app: Multipurpose tool pulls in the info, lets you collaborate. ABA Journal, (6). 64. Mills, G. E. (2014). Action research: A guide for the teacher researcher (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc. National Research Council. Strengthening forensic science in the United States: A path forward. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, Smith, L. (2008). Ethical principles of practice: Evidence from participatory action research. Kairaranga, 9, Retrieved from Turban, E., Aronson, J. & Liang, T. (2005). Decision support systems and intelligent systems. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall.