1. Beginning My Research Journey Where will I go and why why?
Dr. Carol Hordatt Gentles

2. Beginning my research journey
First Steps:
Identifying and justifying a research problem
Identifying a Topic
Identifying the purpose of the research
Developing research questions

3. Key Terms and Sequence Topic Purpose of Research Research Problem
Research Questions
General
Terms to know
Taken from Creswell, (2005, p.62)
Specific

4. My Research Problem
Research problems are educational issues, controversies or concerns studied by researchers. (Creswell,2005. p. 61)
EXAMPLES:
My students have poor writing skills
Student teachers are using teacher centred methods
Students are not managing their classes very well
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5. My Research Topic
The research topic is the broad subject matter addressed by the study. (Creswell,2005. p. 61)
What is the topic for investigation????
Undergraduate student writing skills
Persistence of teacher centered teaching
Classroom management by teacher trainees
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Identify your interests
Review your experience
Take up an issue or cause

6. Research Purpose
The purpose of the research is the “major intent or objective” of your study.
EXAMPLES:
The purpose of my study will be to

7. Research Questions
What EXACTLY do I want to find out?

8. Putting it together Crafting and refining my Problem statement

9. Justification for Research Problem Deficiencies in Evidence
Preparing the Statement of the Problem/Introduction / Rationale / Background
Research Problem
WHAT?
Research
Topic
Justification for Research Problem
WHY?
Deficiencies in Evidence
SO WHAT?
Audience
WHO CARES?
WHO WILL BENEFIT?
Flow of Ideas in a “Statement of the Problem” Section
(Adapted from Creswell, 2005.p. 71)

10. Prepare a Purpose Statement
State exactly what you will accomplish with this research
The purpose of this study is to

11. Research Questions
Research questions narrow the purpose to specific questions the researcher wants to answer or address in the study. (Creswell,2005. p. 62) EXAMPLES

12. Developing and Refining Research Questions.
narrow the purpose to specific questions the researcher wants to answer or address in the study.
guide the research project
identify exactly what the research will try to find answers for.
May help to determine the research approach that is most appropriate to meet the purpose of the study.
Take time to develop and may change as research progresses
See handout.

13. Evaluating the feasibility of my proposed research
Is my topic and research problem really worthwhile? Is it feasible to do this study?

14. Is my proposed research feasible? Should I research this problem or not?
Questions to ask:
Is the proposed study do-able?
Can I gain access to sites and people?
Can I find the time, resources?
Do I have the skills?

15. Should I research this problem or not?
2. How “should-do-able” is it?
Will it fill a gap or void in the existing literature?
Will it replicate a past study but with different participants and places?
Will it extend or build on past research?
Will it help give Voice to silenced /marginalized people?
Will it inform and help to improve practice?

16. Should I research this problem or not?
3. How well can I justify the importance of researching this problem?
Have other researchers identified this as a problem?
Is there evidence from my professional experience or school context that supports my view that this is a problem?
Who will be interested in what I find out?

17. Anticipated Significance of my proposed research
How useful will my results /findings be to:
Me?
My colleagues?
My profession?
Policy?
The Literature?
In what ways will my results/findings be useful ?