1. Research Questions and Introduction to the Master’s Project
M.Educ. 6000
Session 2

2. Introduction of a Research Report
Description of a general problem area, including context and significance
Literature Review
Statement of objectives or purpose of the investigation

3. Introduction: Description of Problem Area
Context and significance
Is this topic important?
Is it signification to society?
Basic research
Applied research
Is it personally relevant?
Is the presentation clear and objective?
Clear and understandable
Free from bias that might influence results
Written in an objective tone, “Outsider looking in.”

4. Introduction: Literature Review
Balanced viewpoint
Every study should not say the exact same thing
Appropriate time frame
Dates of citations – should span a number of years with some older, some new
Coherent theme
How does each cited study add to the purpose of the study?
Primary and secondary sources
Use the original document unless the source is impossible to acquire.
Literature review should provide credibility for the research questions addressed in the study.

5. Introduction: Purpose
Clarity
Can you tell what the researchers were attempting to accomplish with the study?
Does it follow logically from the statement of the problem and the literature review?

6. Quantitative Approach
More linear
General knowledge about a topic lead the researchers to . . .
More specific knowledge from prior studies related to some part of that topic, with which the researchers developed . . .
Specific hypotheses/research questions, which were then . . .
Tested by gathering data

7. Quantitative: Hypotheses
Prior belief about the outcome of the study or the relationship between variables in the study.
A statement, not a question. Can be
Directional – belief that the value of one variable will be larger or smaller than another
Nondirectional – belief that the value of one variable will be different than the other, but don’t know if it will be larger or smaller.
Null – belief that there will be no difference between the value of variables.

8. Quantitative: Hypotheses
The purpose doesn’t have to be stated as a hypothesis, it can simply be research questions.
Does school breakfast increase student achievement?
Does XYZ reading program increase comprehension?
Will SuperImpact intervention decrease the dropout rate?

9. Qualitative Studies More holistic More flexible
Introduction: Provides general information about the problem area but specific questions will often not emerge until after data are gathered.
Evaluate based on
Importance
Clarity
Expect a more researcher-involved description with clear statement of viewpoints

10. Qualitative: Literature Review
Preliminary review
Weave in more literature as study progresses and evolves.
Still look at comprehensiveness of review, primary sources, dates of citations

11. Qualitative: Research Questions
Only a preliminary identification of the question to be addressed in the study.
Should be open-ended to facilitate the exploration of themes that emerge during the study.

12. Article Critique Review

13. Master’s Proposal/Project
Nature of the Problem
This is the description of the problem area, it’s context and significance
Literature Review
Like in a research report, this is a thorough discussion of relevant literature, bolstering the statements made in the Nature of the Problem and leading the reader to the Purpose of the study.

14. Master’s Proposal/Project
Purpose
What is the purpose of the study. Restate the general problem and lead to what you are going to do to investigate/alleviate said problem. Could be listed as a research question or an hypothesis.
Methodology
Subjects – who did you study
Procedure – what did you do
Instrumentation – description of any measuring devices used
Data Analysis Plan (Proposal)
Description of how you will analyze your data. Should match Research Question.

15. Master’s Proposal/Project
Results or Findings (Project)
How you analyzed the data and what you found.
Discussion (Project)
What do the results mean? What implications do the results have to educational practice and or theory? What should be done next? What are your recommendations based on what you found?
References
Appendices
Anything you used or plan on using for the project. Include letters, IRB forms, tests, lessons, surveys, etc.

16. Your Literature Review
Written like an academic paper on a topic
Should have introduction, literature review, and conclusion/summary
Use headings for organization
Should analyze and synthesize the research within each heading and in the summary
Remember you are reviewing literature (primarily studies) about a topic, not merely “doing a research paper” on the topic. You are also not writing a “persuasive” essay.

17. Clarification Literature Review For this class Illuminate a topic
Synthesize and analyze
Written in an academic style
Uses APA format
You pick the educational topic
Not an argument or “trying to prove” something
Cites research reports
Begin to think like a Researcher
Research Report
You read these
For this class and others
Seeks to answer a question
Written in an academic style
May use APA format
Read it like a Researcher
Master’s Proposal
At the end of your Master’s program
You pick a topic with your chair
Seeks to answer a question
Written in an academic style
Uses APA format
Based on a problem
Similar sections to a Research Report
You are the Researcher

18. How to Find Relevant Literature