Basic Elements in Educational Research (Lecture 3)

Basic Elements in Educational Research

By KHO CHUNG WEI

In this topic, you will:

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Fundamentals of Research in Education

• ​Identify educational issues that are researchable

• Discuss the background of the study of your interest

• Write statement of the problem in the study of your interest

• Formuiate the research objectives, research questions, and research hypotheses for the study of your interest

• ​Determine the scope of the study

• ​State possible limitations of the study

• ​Discuss the significance of the study

• ​Define operational terms

Fill in the Blank

In the following example, specify the central phenomenon:

How are these conceptions of reading played out or not played out in the sixth

grade classroom?

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In the following example, specify the central phenomenon:

In this article, I rely on critical views of culture and power to highlight aspects of

sorority life that contribute to the marginalization and potential victimization of

women.

Fill in the Blank

For the example below, specify the independent variable (IV):

What is the relation between parental involvement in education and student reading performance?

Fill in the Blank

For the example below, specify the dependent variable (DV):

What is the relation between parental involvement in education and student reading performance?

Fill in the Blank

For the example below, specify the dependent variable (DV):

Our purpose in this study was to isolate the elements of accountability in a learning program and determine if students' knowledge of accountability relates to

changes in attitudes toward learning.

Fill in the Blank

For the example below, specify the independent variable (IV):

Our purpose in this study was to isolate the elements of accountability in a learning program and determine if students' knowledge of accountability relates to

changes in attitudes toward learning.

Fill in the Blank

For the example below, specify the independent variable (IV):

There is positive relationship between intelligence and English language proficiency among primary school students.

Fill in the Blank

For the example below, specify the dependent variable (DV):

There is positive relationship between intelligence and English language proficiency among primary school students.

Open Ended

Define the terms "intelligence" and "English language proficiency".

Operational Definitions

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= the specification of how you will define and measure the variables in your study

• a single variable could be defined in many different ways

• ​DO NOT take the definition from the dictionary

• ​DO NOT come up with your own definition

Strategies

1. ​Use the definition published by other authors and the measure used by these authors

2. ​Look for "Definition of Terms" in published studies

3. ​Examine the definitions in handbooks

4. ​If a clear applied definition suitable for finding a measure is not available, you will need to construct your own definition and consult experts in the field.

Open Ended

Again, define the terms "intelligence" and "English language proficiency".

Scope of the study

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= the boundaries within which your research project will be performed

• ​define all aspects that will be considered in your research project

• ​make clear what aspects will not be covered; i.e. what is outside of the scope of the study

• makes clear why specific data points have been collected whilst others have been excluded​

• must be clear on the research parameters that you will and won’t consider​ - usually consist of the sample size, the duration, inclusion and exclusion criteria, the methodology and any geographical or monetary constraints ​

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Limitations of the study

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= potential weaknesses or problems with the study identified by the researcher

• ​enumerated one by one

• often relate to inadequate measures of variables, loss or lack of participants, small sample sizes, errors in measurement, and other factors typically related to data collection and analysis

• useful to other potential researchers who may choose to conduct a similar or replication study​

• provides a useful bridge for recommending future studies.

• ​help readers judge to what extent the findings can or cannot be generalized to other people and situations

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Limitations of the study

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Limitations of the study

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Significance of the study

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Fundamentals of Research in Education

= a written statement that explains why your research was needed

• ​justification of the importance of your work

• impact it has on your research field

• contribution to new knowledge

• how others will benefit from it

​Strategies

1. ​Use your research problem as a starting point.

2. ​State how your research will contribute to the literature in the field.

3. ​Explain how your research will benefit the society.

4. ​Mention the specific persons or institutions who will benefit from your study.

5. Indicate how your study may help future studies in the field.

Significance of the study

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Fundamentals of Research in Education

Task

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Fundamentals of Research in Education

Identify a researchable issue in the ESL primary classroom. Locate 10 journal articles on this issue. Read them. Then, complete the following​

• Discuss the issue

• Write a statement of the problem

• Formuiate the purpose statement, research objectives, research questions, and research hypotheses (whenever appropriate)

• ​Determine the scope of the study

• ​State possible limitations of the study

• ​Discuss the significance of the study

• ​Provide operational definition of the terms

Also, suggest one or two research designs that is most suitable for your purpose.

Open Ended

Q&A / Reflection / Issue

Please ask at least ONE question.

OR Tell us your thoughts on what you have learned these two weeks.

OR State ONE issue/difficulty that you have faced during these two weeks' lectures.

Poll

How do you feel about this week's lecture?