1. Introduction to Research
by Dr. Daniel Churchill

2. About The Facilitator
Dr. Daniel Churchill Faculty of Education The University of Hong Kong
Phone:

3. About MITE6025 There will be 8 sessions
MITE6025 blog
The purpose of this course is to introduce to methods of research and contribute to you preparation for MITE/MILM Dissertation/Project

4. About the Sessions
Lessons
Group Activities
Critical Readings
Assignment

5. Assessment
Group work
Individual Assignment: Write a Research Plan

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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)

12. 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. .
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

13. 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?

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. Overview of Approaches to ER

21. Let’s See What we Understand
Work in pairs. Go through list of M Sc/B Ed research abstracts at
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

22. Group Task Setup your groups blog You can setup a blog for free at:
wpmu.cite.hku.hk
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.

23. 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),

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