Research Methods In Education

Research / Importance of Research

1- Definitions
 Educational research is that activity which is directed towards development of a science of behavior
in educational institutions. The ultimate aim of such a science is to provide knowledge that will
permit the educator to achieve his goals by the most effective methods (Travers).
 Research is an endeavor to discover, develop and verify knowledge. It is an intellectual process that
has developed over hundreds of years, ever changing in purpose and form and always searching for
truth (Rommel).
 Research is a careful inquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles, a diligent investigation to
ascertain something (Clifford Woody).
 Research in the sense of the development, elaboration and refinement of principles together with
the collection and use of empirical materials to aid in these processes, is one of the highest activities
of a university and one in which all its professors should be engaged (Hutchins).
 Research is a point of view, an attitude of inquiry or a frame of mind. It asks questions which have
hitherto not been asked and it seeks to answer them by following a fairly definite procedure. It is not
a mere theorizing, but rather an attempt to elicit facts and to face them once they have been
assembled (Rusk).
 Research is formal, systematic application of scientific method to study the problem (Gary, 2009).
2- Conclusions
Research is a process of studying problems.
Research is a systematic process.
Research studies problems by employing scientific method
Research aims at solving the problems
3- Characteristics of Research
Research is characterized with:
1- Solution of a problem
2- Development of generalizations, principles or theories that is helpful in predicting future
occurrences.
3- Observable experiences or empirical evidence.
4- Accuracy of observation and its description.
5- Collection of new data from first hand/ primary sources.
6- Expertise of Researcher
7- Carefully designed procedures that apply rigorous analysis.
8- Objectivity and logical appeal
9- Quest to answer unsolved problems.
10- Patience
11- Courage
12- Careful recording and reporting of each and every thing related to the study.
4- Importance of Research
Reason 1: Research adds Knowledge about Educational Issues
– Addresses gaps in knowledge
– Expands knowledge
– Adds voices of individuals to knowledge
Reason 2: Research Helps Improve Practice
– Educators gain new ideas
– Educators gain new insight into methods
– Educators gain new insight into students
Reason 3: Research Informs Policy Debates
– Research helps people weigh different perspectives on issues
– Research helps people make informed decisions regarding policy
Reason 4: Research Builds Student Research Skills
– Organizational skills
– Analytical skills
– Writing skills
– Presentation skills
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5- Problems with Research Today
• Contradictory or vague findings
• Questionable data
• Unclear statement about the intent of the study
• Lack of full disclosure of the data collection procedure
• Inarticulate rendering of the research problem
6- The Research Spiral
 Identify the Research Problem
o Specify a problem
o Justify a problem
o Suggest a need to study it for
audiences
 Reviewing the Literature
o Locate the Resources
 Books
 Journals
 Electronic Resources
o Select Resources
 Determine the relevant
resources for the topic
 Organize the resources by
developing a “Literature Map”
o Summarize the resources in a Literature Review
 Specify a Purpose for the Research
o Identify the purpose statement
o Narrow the purpose statement to research
 Quantitative: Research Questions and or hypothesis
 Qualitative: Central Phenomenon and sub-questions
 Collecting Data
o Determine the data collection method
o Select the individuals to study
o Design data collection instruments and outline procedures
o Obtain permissions
o Gather information
 Analyzing and Interpreting Data
o Breaking down the data
o Representing the data
o Explaining the data
 Reporting and Evaluating Research
o Determine the audience for the report
o Structure the report
o Write the report sensitively and accurately
7- Ethical Considerations in Research
 Respect the rights of the participants
 Honor the requests and restrictions of the research site
 Report the research fully and honestly
8- Skills Needed for Research
 Curiosity to solve puzzles
 Lengthen your attention span
 Using the library and computer resources
 Writing and editing
 Analytical skill
 Patience

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 Determination
Types of Research Methods
This course content allows us to discuss three types of research methods which are as follows:
A. Historical Research Method
B. Descriptive Research Method
C. Casual-Comparative Research Method
A. Historical Research Method

1- Definitions
 The systematic collection and evaluation of data to describe, explain, and understand
actions or events that occurred sometime in the past.
o There is no manipulation or control of variables as in experimental research.
 An attempt made to reconstruct what happened during a certain period of time as
completely and accurately as possible.
 It is the procedure in which a researcher collects and evaluates data to understand reports
or observation made by others.
 It test past hypotheses concerning causes, effects or trends that may help to explain present
events and anticipate future events.
2- The Purposes of Historical Research
 To make people aware of what has happened in the past in order to:
o Learn from past failures and successes
o Apply them to present-day problems
o Make predictions
o Test hypotheses concerning relationships or trends
o Understand present educational practices and policies more fully
3- Steps Involved in Historical Research
 Defining the Problem
 Locating relevant sources
o Documents
o Numerical records
o Oral statements
o Relics
 Systematic collection of data.
o Primary Research
o Secondary Research
 Evaluation of historical sources
o Internal criticism(Accurate/Meaningful)
 What was meant by the author?
 How much credibility can be given to the author?
 What was the author trying to say?
 How could the authors’ word be interpreted?
 Does the document contain bias of any sort?
o External criticism(Authentic/Genuine)
 Who wrote the document?
 For what purpose was the document written?
 When was the document written?
 Where was the document written?
 Under what conditions was the document written?
 Do different forms or versions of the document exist?
 Synthesis of Information
o Confirmation of Hypothesis
o Disconfirmation of Hypothesis

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 Interpreting and Drawing Conclusions

4- Sources of Information
 Primary
o Eye or ear witnesses
o Original documents such as
 Secondary
o Copies of objects
o Second hand information
 Textbooks
 Periodicals
 Newspapers
 Encyclopedias
 Review of research and other references
5- Data Analysis in Historical Research
 Historical researchers use the following methods to make sense out of large amounts of
data:
o Theoretical model leading to a content analysis
o Use of patterns or themes
o Coding system
o Quantitative data to validate interpretations
6- Advantages and Disadvantages of Historical Research

Advantages
• Allows investigation of topics and questions
that can be studied in no other way.
• Study evidence from the past.
• Make use of different kinds of evidence.
• Provide a rich source of information.
Disadvantages
• Threats to internal validity
• Limitations of the sample and instrumentation
• Cannot ensure representativeness of the sample
• Unable to check the reliability and validity
• Bias of the researcher

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 Research Methods In Education

Preparing Research Proposal

Anwar Mahmood Paracha SSS GCET Bosan Road Multan 11.3.09

A. Why a research proposal?

 Tool for Organizing Time and Resources
 Informal “contract” to establish an agreement about the content and limits of the final
project report
 A good proposal stems from a good concept
 “Of course, I wish I had thought of that!”
B. Components of the Research Proposal
 Background: Introduction & Literature review
 Problem Description
 Research Objectives/ hypothesis/Study questions
 Significance: Importance, Benefits of the Study
 Methodology / Data Analysis
 Schedule
 References
 Budget, Facilities and Special Resources
All research proposals should contain the
1. Title
 This should be short and Self-explanatory.
 Use of Cooperative Learning as method of teaching in Social study
 stress management strategies for working women
 A Good Title is unsolved / solvable
o … is interesting to you and Your Supervisor
o … is interesting to the research community
o … has useful applications
2. Background
 This section should contain a rationale for your research:-
 Why are you undertaking the project?
 This rationale should be placed within the context of existing research or within your
own experience and/or observation
 You need to demonstrate that you know
 what you’re talking about and that you
 have knowledge of the literature
 surrounding this topic
 If there is No research available then?
o You need to say so, illustrating how your proposed research will fill this gap.
o Basically, you have to convince people that you know what you’re talking about
and that the research is important
3. Aims and objectives
 Many research proposal formats will ask for only one or two aims and may not require
objectives.
 However, for some research these will need to be broken down in more depth to also
include the objectives.
 The aim is the overall driving force of the research and the objectives are the means by
which you intend to achieve the aims. These must be clear and succinct.
4. Methodology/methods
 For research at postgraduate level you may need to split the methodology and methods
section into two.

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 However, for most projects they can be combined
 In this section you need to describe your proposed research methodology and methods
and justify their use.
 Why have you decided upon your methodology?
 Why have you decided to use those particular methods?
 Why are other methods not appropriate?
Components of Research Methodology
 Population
 Sample and Sampling Process
 Instrument and Instrument Development
 Method of Data Collection
 Data Analysis
5. Time table
 This will include time taken to conduct background research, questionnaire or interview
schedule development, data collection, data analysis and report writing.
 Research almost always takes longer than you anticipate.
 Allow for this and add a few extra weeks on to each section of your timetable.
 If you finish earlier than you anticipated, that’s fine as you have more time to spend on
your report. However, finishing late can create problems especially if you have to meet
deadlines.
 If you finish earlier than you anticipated, that’s fine as you have more time to spend on
your report. However, finishing late can create problems especially if you have to meet
deadlines
6. Budget and resources
 Prepare realistic plan for the Resources you need to compete this study
7. Dissemination
 What do you expect to do with the results of your research?
 How are you going to let people know about what you have found out?
 For students it will suffice to say that the results will be produced in an undergraduate
dissertation which will be made available in the institution library
C. Proposal Characteristics
 Straight forward document
 Don’t tell us why you became interested in the topic
 Not a literary production
 Clear, sharp and precise
 Economy of words, no rambling sentences
 Clearly organized
 Outlined with proper use of headings and subheadings
D. Weaknesses in Research Proposals
 Research Problem  Research Design
o Unfocused o Prevents evaluation
o Unimportant (done before!) o Inappropriate or impossible data
o More complex o Procedures inappropriate for problem
o Limited relevance o Lacking controls

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Action Research
Introduction
 Action research is the type of research by purpose. It is conducted to solve the educational
problems in local settings. It uses scientific method to study and solve the problems. Teachers
use action research to solve the problems related to teaching learning process. School
administration uses it to solve administration and management problem. It is done by
individuals or by a group of researches. Primary goal/ focus of action research is to solve
immediate educational problems in local settings.
Characteristics
 It requires immediate application for the solution of problem
 It is contextualized/ localized.
 It is done for the improvement of classroom and school environment.
 It usually does not contribute in scientific knowledge or in the field.
 It does not focus on development or application of theory.
 Examples of Action Research
 Solving off-task behavior of students working in groups.
 Enhancing students’ comprehension skills
 Minimizing students’ shyness regarding speaking English.
 Using micro-teaching to develop self-efficacy beliefs regarding the use of instructional
innovations.
 Using lesson planning to solve classroom problems.
 Solving off-task behavior of students working in groups.
Merits of Action Research
 Action Research is comparatively easy to conduct as compared to other types of research.
 It is less expensive, needs less resources and time.
 It provides immediate solution of education problems.
 It develops in teachers’ research skills and aptitude for conducting research.
 It makes the teacher reflective practitioners.
 It helps to make our decisions research based
Delimitations
 It does not contribute to scientific knowledge.
 It does not contribute to scientific knowledge.
 The validity and reliability of the research depends on the credibility of the researcher
 The results are not generalizable to other settings.
 The quality of AR is relatively poor as compared to types of research.
 Due to not following the rigorous process, its results, findings and conclusions and not as
reliable as should be.

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