Educational Research Chapter 3: Preparing And Evaluating A Research Plan

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
A.1 Define the term research plan and list two of its general components.

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A research plan is a detailed description of the procedures that will be used to investigate your topic or problem. General components of a research plan
A justification for the hypotheses or exploration of the research problem
A detailed presentation of the steps to be followed in conducting the study

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
A.2 Identify three purposes of a research plan.

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Purposes of a written research plan
1. Forces the researcher to think through every aspect of the study
2. Facilitates the evaluation of the proposed study
3. Provides detailed procedures to guide the conduct of the study

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
A.3 Describe four benefits of a research plan.

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A well thought out research plan…
1. saves time
2. provides structure to the study
3. reduces the probability of costly mistakes.
4.generally results in a higher quality research study.

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
1.1 Identify five ethical principles guiding the conduct of educational research and explain their importance in educational research.

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Five ethical principles
(1)Beneficence and non-malfeasance
(2) Fidelity and responsibility
(3) Integrity
(4) Justice
(5)Respect for people’s rights and dignity

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
1.3 What is deception?

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Deception
Situations in which complete information related to the study is not given to participants
Such information would influence or change participants’ responses
Studies can be negatively affected by informing participants of certain details
Use of deceptive practices must be undertaken very, very carefully

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
1.5 Identify two unique aspects of qualitative research that can create ethical dilemmas for an educational researcher.

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Qualitative research differs from quantitative in at least two major ways:
1. qualitative research plans typically evolve and change as the researcher's immersion in and understandig of the research setting grows
2. Qualitative researchers typically are personally engaged in the research context that may create unconscious influences tha raise issues for objectivity and data intepretation.

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
1.6 Identify several levels of approval that might be needed to gain entry into a school site.

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Approval needed at several levels
Site
Administrators
Teachers
Students
Approval is not cooperation

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
1.7 Identify four strategies to enhance the participation of subjects in a study.

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Strategies to enhance cooperation
1. Clearly explain the benefits of the study
2. Afford stakeholders the opportunity to review drafts of the report for their approval
3. Brief stakeholders on the findings
4. Provide professional development sessions for stakeholders

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
2.1 Identify the two major legislative acts that legally affect the way in which educational researchers conduct their studies.

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National Research Act of 1974
Protects participants from harm – not exposing subjects to risks. Informed consent – subjects participate of their own free will with an understanding of the nature of the study and possible risks.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Known as the Buckley Amendment)
Protects students’ privacy, access to students’ records and the need for written permission to use data identifying students.

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
3.1 Describe the four major components of a quantitative research plan.

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1. Introduction
2. Method
3. Data analysis
4. Timeline and budget

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
3.2 Describe the general purpose of the introduction section of a quantitative research plan, identify its three components, and describe the characteristics of each component.

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Statement of the Topic: The topic is identified with a discussion of the background and rationale that is stated at the beginning of the plan
Review of the literature: Provides an overview of the topic and positions the study in the context of what is known, and, more importantly, what is not known about the topic. Completed at the beginning of the study and placed in the beginning of the plan.
Statement of the hypotheses: A formal statement specifying the hypothesis, support for expected relationships between variables, and operational definitions of all variables. Hypotheses in quantitative studies are usually deductively reasoned.

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
3.3 Describe the purpose of the method section of a quantitative research plan.

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The specific method of research your studne represents influences the content of your method section. Paticular research approaches. (e.g., narrative, ethnographic, descriptive, correlational, causal-comparitive, and true experimental) use different methods to carry our their unique purposes.

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
Identify the method section's four components.

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1. Participants
2. Instruments
3. Design
4. Procedures

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
Describe the characteristics of participants.

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Participants
Identifies the characteristics of the population and sample as well as the sampling technique used
Quantitative studies typically use large samples and probability sampling techniques

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
Describe the characteristics of instruments.

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Instruments
Descriptions of the specific measures of each variable, the technical characteristics of the instruments, and the administration and scoring techniques
Quantitative studies typically use non-interactive instruments
Tests
Questionnaires
Surveys

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
Describe the characteristics of design.

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Design
Descriptions of the basic structure of the study and the specific research design chosen
Quantitative studies typically use highly structured, static designs.

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
Describe the characteristics of procedures.

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The procedure section:
1. begins with a discription of the strategy for selecting the sample or samples.
2. will describe exactly what is going to occur in the study.
3. should include any identified assumptions (a fact presumed to be true but not verified) and limitations (some aspect of the study that the researcher knows may alter the results).
4. should be precise so that anyone could execute the study exactly as you intended.
Gaining entry to the site
How subjects will be selected
The ways data will be collected and analyzed

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
3.4 Describe the purpose of the data analysis section of a quantitative research plan.

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Quantitative methods used to collect primarily numerical data; analysis based on numerical and statistical analyses; validity and reliability measures ensure data trustworthiness.

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
Identify two types of statistical analyses typically used to analyze quantitative data.

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Descriptions of the techniques used to analyze the data
1. Descriptive statistics – statistics that summarize data in terms of central tendency (e.g., means), variation (e.g., standard deviations), relative position (e.g., standard scores), or relationships (e.g., correlations)
2. Inferential statistics – procedures used to infer the likelihood of the results happening in the population rather than just the sample

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
Discuss how the hypothesis and specific design influence the nature of the analysis.

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The hypotheses usually determine the specific research design which in turn influences the specific analyses used
Quantitative studies usually focus on the appropriate statistical procedures to analyze numerical data

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
3.5 Describe the importance of a time schedule when developing a quantitative research plan, describe two components of it, and describe a general strategy for developing an effective time schedule.

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The construction of a time schedule listing major research activities (phases)and their corresponding expected completion is a useful planning aid.

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
3.6 Describe several anticipated costs in a quantitative study.

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Descriptions of anticipated costs that are likely to be incurred
Salaries
Copying
Telephone
Travel

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
4.1 Describe three unique characteristics of a qualitative research plan that result from the nature of this type of research design.

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i. Much less structured document than a quantitative research plan
ii. Much more flexible because qualitative research is an intimate and open-ended endeavor that must be responsive to the context and setting under study
iii. Must be crafted as a conceptually sound and persuasive document that provides reviewers with an argument for supporting the proposed study.

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
4.2 Describe the advantages discussed by the authors on the use of a pre-proposal field study when developing a qualitative research plan.

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i. Provide background that will prepare for what can be expected in the research setting
ii. Help understand the socio-cultural context of the setting
iii. Alternatives include drawing on one’s own experiences or the literature

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
4.3 Describe the six general components of a qualitative research plan.

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i. Title of the Study
ii. Introduction to the Study
iii. Research Procedures
iv. Potential Contributions of Research
v. Limitations of the Study
vi. Appendixes (one or more of the following, if needed)

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4.4 Identify two functions of the title of a qualitative research study and discuss the importance of each one.

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i.Provides a framework for continued reflection
ii. serves as a conceptual point of reference by converying in the title the key concepts of the study.

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
4.5 Identify the four components of the introduction section of a qualitative research plan and describe the purpose of each component as well as its characteristics.

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i. Purpose of the Research: A clearly written, concise statement that sets the stage for the rest of the plan
ii. Framing the Study: An attempt to demonstrate the relevance of the study using a frame of reference to which the reader can relate; Describes the contribution of the study to existing theory, educational policy, or the solution of a practical problem
iii. Initial Research Questions: Specifying research questions is difficult at this stage given the ongoing, emergent nature of qualitative research; Linked closely to the theory, policy, or practical problem used to frame the study
iv. Review of Related Literature: Links the study to any underlying assumptions and theories related to the initial research question; Accomplishes several things: a. Assesses the researcher’s preparedness to conduct the study b.Identifies potential gaps in the literature c. Suggests promising educational practices d. Refines the initial research question e. Embeds the research questions in “guiding hypotheses”

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
4.6 Identify the eight components of the research procedures section of a qualitative research plan.

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1. Description of the overall approach and rationale for the study
2. Site and sample selection
3. Researcher’s role
4. Data collection methods
5. Data management methods
6. Data analysis strategies
7. Trustworthiness features
8. Ethical considerations

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
4.6.1 Identify the eight components of the research procedures section of a qualitative research plan and describe the purpose of 'Overall approach and rationale'

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1. Overall Approach and Rationale for the Study
• Identifies the qualitative approach (e.g. ethnography, historical study, grounded theory, etc)
• Provides the rationale for why the particular approach is appropriate
• Provides a link to the appropriate literature on research methods.

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
4.6.2 Identify the eight components of the research procedures section of a qualitative research plan and describe the purpose of 'Site and sample'

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2. Describes the rationale for choosing the particular sample
Describes the process for gaining entry to the site
Describes the site
Discusses the likelihood of building trusting relationships with the participants

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
4.6.3 In the research procedures section of a qualitative research plan describe the purpose of the Researcher's role

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Researcher’s role
Describes any negotiations needed to gain entry to the site
Discusses participants’ expectations in terms of reciprocity
Anticipates any ethical dilemmas

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
4.6.4 In the research procedures section of a qualitative research plan describe the purpose of Data Collection Methods

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Data Collection Methods
• Describes the fieldwork techniques and tools for collecting data
• Identifies multiple data sources

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
4.6.5 In the research procedures section of a qualitative research plan describe the purpose of Data Mangement Strategies

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Data Management Strategies
• Provides insights into ways by which the large quantity of data will be manipulated
 Data sources
 Volume of data
 Storage
 Information such as times, dates, locations, etc.

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
4.6.6 In the research procedures section of a qualitative research plan describe the purpose of Data Analysis Strategies

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Data Analysis Strategies
• Interpretive nature of the analyses of data from fieldwork, observations, interviews, etc.
• Describes procedures for collating data
• Discusses the manner buy which the data will be categorized in terms of emergent theses
• Provides a rationale for the conclusion and interpretations

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
4.6.7. In the research procedures section of a qualitative research plan describe the purpose of Trustworthiness Features

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Trustworthiness Features
• The researcher’s efforts to address traditional validity and reliability issues
• The use of triangulation – multiple data sources and collection methods

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
4.6.8. In the research procedures section of a qualitative research plan describe the purpose of Ethical Considerations

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Ethical Considerations
• Demonstrates sensitivity to the ethical issues related to informed consent
• Describes the plan to obtain informed
• States the researcher’s personal/professional ethical perspectives

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
4.7 Give several examples of the material that it would be appropriate to include in the appendix of a qualitative research plan.

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Provide information helpful in assessing the value and feasibility of the study:
Timeline
Proposed table of contents
Sample consent form
Internal Review Board (IRB) approval
Sample of data collection protocols

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
5.1 Describe three ways a research plan can be informally evaluated.

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a. Critique by the researcher, advisors, peers and colleagues, etc
b. Critiques by experienced researchers
c. Critiques by at least one expert in the study’s area of investigation

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Chapter 3: Preparing and Evaluating A Research Topic
5.2 Explain the use of a pilot study to formally evaluate a research plan.

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If possible, a researcher should carry out a small-scale pilot study to help in refining or changing planned procedures. A pilot study can examine the viability of the research plan before it is fully conducted.