Steps in the Research Process Moving along in the process

Last week we focused on … Importance of considering various IRB issues – New or continuing review – Citi course certification required for all human subjects projects – Consider sensitivity of data Importance of reviewing scholarly literature to develop statement of the problem

John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition 5.3 Differences Between Quantitative and Qualitative Purpose Statements and Research Questions Quantitative—more closed 1. Probable cause/effect (“Why did it happen?”) Use of theories (“Why did it happen in view of an explanation or theory?”) Assess differences and magnitude (Within Group/ Between Group) (Difference scores ) (“What were the differences among groups in what happened?”) Comparisons / Relationships Measures of student perceptions, cognitive measures; perceptions of others Qualitative—more open-ended Descriptive (“What happened?”) Interpretive (“What was the meaning to people of what happened?”) Process-oriented (“What happened over time?”)

Pedagogical Research Potential measures of success/outcomes – Scores on in class exams or standardized measures – Retention – Survey results (interest, perception of gains in learning, other “attitudes”) – Measures of skills – ? (other ideas)

Examples: Types of Measures Student Perceptions / Cognitive Measures ard ard nise/ nise/ s.com/Efficacy/SelfEfficacy.h tml s.com/Efficacy/SelfEfficacy.h tml mfp/self-efficacy.html mfp/self-efficacy.html Other resources ents/instrcrit.html ents/instrcrit.html AM/finalprogram/sessi on_24194.htm AM/finalprogram/sessi on_24194.htm ltydev/KnowS_files/KnowS. htm ltydev/KnowS_files/KnowS. htm

Other examples of measures – or assessments Content specific /~wp_web/wp_resources/w p_assessment.html /~wp_web/wp_resources/w p_assessment.html eachers/math/gender/08sc ale.html eachers/math/gender/08sc ale.html Misc Resources ources/series93.html ources/series93.html nstant_info/tool_kits/index. php nstant_info/tool_kits/index. php nise/ nise/