Introduction to Research by Dr. Daniel Churchill

About The Facilitator Dr. Daniel Churchill Faculty of Education The University of Hong Kong Email: dchurch@hku.hk Phone: 2859.1141

About MITE6025 There will be 8 sessions MITE6025 blog http://mite6025.wpmu.cite.hku.hk/ The purpose of this course is to introduce to methods of research and contribute to you preparation for MITE/MILM Dissertation/Project

About the Sessions Lessons Group Activities Critical Readings Assignment

Assessment Group work Individual Assignment: Write a Research Plan

Content Overview What is Research? Educational Research Research Classification: Basic and Applied Research Approaches to Educational Research: Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research Descriptive Research, Correlational Research, Causal-comparative Research, Experimental Research Historical Research and Naturalistic Inquiry Task 1

What is Research? Research is the systematic and objective approach to scholarly inquiry: Directed toward the solution of a problem and advancement of human knowledge though the development of theories Utilizes carefully designed procedures that apply rigorous analysis Builds on expertise: Knows what is already known about the problem How others have investigated it Remains objective and logical by applying every possible test to validate the procedures employed, the data collected, and the conclusions reached

Educational research is conducted in the following way: Educational Research explains, predicts and/or control educational phenomenon Educational research is conducted in the following way: Define -- a significant problem, hypothesis or question Plan -- review literature to establish background to the study, identify methodology, plan procedure Execute research procedures -- collect data e.g., interviews, surveys, questionnaires, observations Analyze data -- qualitatively, quantitatively or a mixed way Draw conclusions and recommendations

Research Classification Basic or Fundamental Research -- develops theories Applied Research -- application of theory to the solution of a problem and improvement in practice: Evaluation Research -- systematic process of gathering data to make a decision Research and Development -- develops effective products for use in education Action Research -- improvement in practice

Examples of Applied Research Evaluation Research: Should Alfred Lim be placed in a program for students with specific learning ability? Research and Development: Develop a set of learning objects to facilitate students understanding of motion and forces Action Research: What can be done to prevent students’ misconceptions in the topic of “Moon Phases” in sciences class? Activity -- Let’s think of some possible questions

Approaches to Educational Research Quantitative approach -- involves collection of numerical data and statistical analysis (deductive analysis) Descriptive research Correlational research Causal-comparative research – cause relationship Experimental research – setting condition and apply to real case and do the comparison. Qualitative approach -- involves collection of narrative data (interview transcript, field notes) in search for understanding (inductive analysis) Historical Research – past records to do the evaluation. Naturalistic Inquiry Ethnographic Research – like school culture. Case Studies – e.g. school, class (study class independently)

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research Develops hypotheses – generate new theory Tests hypotheses Does not seek to control the contexts Seeks to control the context Researcher interacts with the participants – e.g. email. Researcher does not interact with participants Involves a smaller sample Involves large number of subjects/participants for results to be statistically significant Assumes individuality Assumes that contexts are stable, uniform and controllable Interpretation of data Data analyses relies on statistical procedures

Descriptive Research Descriptive research involves collecting numerical data to test hypotheses or answer questions regarding the subjects of the study The data are collected through a questionnaire, an interview, or an observation A researcher reports the numerical results for one or more variables on the subjects of the study. Some examples: How do primary school teachers spend their time on computer? How do parents feel about increased computer use in the school?

Correlational Research Correlational research attempts to determine whether and to what extent, a relationship exists between two or more numerical variables This relationship can be used to predict the value of one variable for a subject if you know the other variable Correlation implies prediction but not causation A researcher uses the correlation coefficient to report the research Some examples: The relationship between intelligence and computer use. The use of an aptitude test to predict computer use in a science class.

Causal-comparative Research Attempts to establish cause-effect relationships among the variables of the study, that is, that values of an independent variable have a significant effect on a dependent variable In causal-comparative research the independent variable is not under the experimenters control but has to take values of an independent variable as they come Some examples: The effect of computer use on information literacy at the end of the first grade. The effect of gender on science achievement through use of technology.

Experimental Research Similar to causal-comparative research but the independent variable is under control of a researcher Some examples: The comparative effectiveness of computer-based tutorials versus learner-centered e-learning activities on thinking skill The effect of positive reinforcement on attitude toward ICT

Historical Research Historical research is involved with the study of past events. Collection and objective evaluation of data related to past events in order to test hypotheses that may help to explain present events and anticipate future events Some examples: Factors leading to the development of computer literacy Effects of decisions of the ICT Integration in Schools Initiative of EMB on Hong Kong Education

Naturalistic Inquiry Naturalistic inquiry includes ethnographic research and case studies to study of current events It involves the collection of extensive narrative data on many variables over an extended period of time in a naturalistic setting. Some examples: A case study of parental involvement at an ESF school – find a real case to study. A multi-case study of students who excel despite computer illiteracy – find few of students with good grade but not good for computer literacy. A teacher as designer of on-line learning

For Information Some additional research approaches are: Meta-research -- synthesizes previous research (usually in quantitative way) Design Experiment -- new approach to research that emerged in education technology community

Overview of Approaches to ER

Let’s See What we Understand Work in pairs. Go through list of M Sc/B Ed research abstracts at http://www.cite.hku.hk/alumni/dissertation/ Classify come of the topics from these abstracts into the six research approaches. Identify at least one topic for an approach Present the outcome to the class supporting your classification

Group Task Setup your groups blog You can setup a blog for free at: http:// wpmu.cite.hku.hk http://www.blogger.com Or other blog of your choice In the first post the team should introduce each member (preferably provide photos) First task: Discuss in your group and identify one research topic which you think it would be good idea to explore. Develop research question and classify it in one of the research types Present the outcome in your blog.

Reading for next week Read this article in preparation for next week. Try to integrate elements of this article into your group activity. Lim, C.P. , & Hung, D. (2003). An activity theory approach to research of ICT integration in Singapore schools. Computers & Education, 41(2003), 49-63.

References Ravid, R. (2000). Practical statistics for educators. (2nd ed). New York, NY.: University Press of America, Inc.