Classroom Research & Research Question Where have we been? Where are we going?

Problem In scholarship and research, having a “problem” is at the heart of the investigative process. …. But in one’s teaching, a “problem” is something you don’t’ want to have and if you have one, you probably want to fix it.” Randy Bass “The Scholarship of Teaching: What’s the Problem?” Inventio

Question “ Changing the status of the problem in teaching from terminal remediation to ongoing investigation is precisely what the movement for a scholarship of teaching is all about.” Randy Bass “The Scholarship of Teaching: What’s the Problem?” Inventio

SoTL Questions What works? -measurement of efficacy What is? -examination of a process What’s possible? -exploration What unifies? -defining models & conceptual frameworks that influence practice

Activity- Examining Articles Steck, DiBase, Wang, & Bouktiarov (2012) The Use of Open-Ended Problem-Based Learning Scenarios in an Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Class: Evaluation of a Problem Based Learning Course Across Three Years What is the research problem? Page 3: Lists 4 research questions. Classify the questions.

Activity- Examining Articles Drew & Triplett (2008) Whole Genome Sequencing in the Undergraduate Classroom: Outcomes and Lessons from a Pilot Course What is the research problem? What is the research question(s)?

Steps Towards Defining the Problem What problem do I have? What is the evidence that the problem exists? Is this evidence strong? Are my assumptions few? Is my problem local, nationwide, or global?

A “good Research question” Is something you care about Connects with things others care about Helps open “the black box of student learning” Is focused and manageable Leads to other questions

Your Turn….. What is your research problem? What is/are your research question(s)?

Checklist of things to think about when identifying your research question  Is the scope of your project reasonable?  Is the question one that can be answered?  How much time can you realistically devote to this research?  Have you done a literature review that helps further define your research question?  Do you have expertise in the methods you plan to use?  Do you have colleagues to support you?  Who can help you if you get stuck?

Places to find your answer Exams Reading of student papers Student reflections Student portfolio Classroom assessments Think alouds Survey Focus groups Case study of a single student over time Tracking patterns or achievement