Research Methods

Madgerie Jameson-Charles
 Topics
 Introduction to Course
 Housekeeping matters
 Assessment
 Introduction to Research
 Objectives
 Define and describe the importance of educational
research
 Describe the six steps in the process of research
 Define and identify a research problem and explain its
importance in a study
 Distinguish between a research problem and other
parts of the research process
 Identify criteria for deciding whether you can or should
study a research problem
 What Is Research?
 The researcher poses a question.

 The researcher collects data to answer the question.

 The researcher presents an answer to the question.

 Importance of Research
 Reason 1: Research adds to our knowledge.
 Addresses gaps in knowledge
 Expands knowledge
 Replicates knowledge
 Adds voices of individuals to knowledge
 Importance of Research
(cont’d)

 Reason 3: Research helps inform policy debates.

 Research allows people to weigh different perspectives on
issues.
 Research enables people to make informed decisions
regarding policy.
The Process of Research
Identify the
Research Problem

Report
and Review the
Evaluate Research Literature

Analyze and
Specify a
Interpret
Research
Data
Purpose
Collect Data
 The Process of Research:
Identify the Research
Problem
 Specify a problem

 Justify a problem

 Suggest a need to study the problem for audiences

 What Is a Research
Problem?

A research problem is an educational issue or concern

that an investigator presents and justifies in a research
study.
 Locating the Research
Problem
Look in the opening paragraphs of the study for one
or more of the following:

 What is the issue or problem?

 What controversy leads to the need for a study?
 What concern is being addressed behind the study?
 Is there a sentence such as, “The problem being
addressed in this study is…”?
Why the Research Problem
Is Important
 It establishes the importance of the topic.

 It creates reader interest.

 It focuses the reader’s attention on how the study

will add to the literature.
 How the Problem Differs
From Other Parts of
Research
A research problem is an educational issue
or problem in the study.
A research topic is the broad subject matter
being addressed in a study.
A purpose is the major intent or objective of
the study.
Research questions are those that the
researcher would like answered or addressed
in the study.
Differences among the Topic, Problem,
Purpose, and Questions

General Topic Distance learning

Research Decrease of students

Problem enrolment in distance
classes
Purpose To study why students do not
Statement attend distance education
classes at a community college
Research What are some factors that deter
students from enrolling in a distance
Question
Specific education class?

How do students describe the issues

or factors that influence their
decision to enroll in distance learning
Determining Whether a Problem Should Be
Researched
 Can you study the problem?
 Do you have access to the research site?
 Do you have the time, resources, and skills to carry out
the research?

 Should you study the problem?

 Does it advance knowledge?
 Does it contribute to practice?
 Determining Whether a
Problem Should Be
Researched (cont’d)
 Will your study fill a gap or void in the existing literature?
 Will your study replicate a past study but examine different
participants and different research sites?
 Will your study extend past research or examine the topic
more thoroughly?
 Will your study give voice to people not heard, silenced, or
rejected in society?
 Will your study inform practice?
Five Elements of a “Problem Statement”
FLOW OF IDEAS

What
Remedying
Evidence Deficiencies
Educational the Deficiencies
Topic for the in the
Issue Will Do for
Issue Evidence
Select
Subject •A concern •Evidence from •In this body of Audiences
area •A problem the literature evidence, what
•Something How will addressing
•Evidence from is missing? what we need to
that needs practical •What do we know help:
a solution experiences need to know – researchers
more about? – educators
– policy makers
– individuals such as
those in the study
 Advancing the Topic

 The topic is introduced in the first paragraphs.

 The topic includes the general subject matter.

 The topic must be introduced so that the reader can

relate to it.
 Stating the Research
Problem
 State the problem in the opening paragraph

 Identify an issue
 Research-based research problems
 Practical problems

 Reference the problem using the literature

 Justifying the Importance
of the Research Problem
 Justification based on what other researchers have
found
 Justification based on personal or workplace
experiences
 Justification based on the experiences others have
had in the workplace
 Identifying Deficiencies in
the Evidence
 What do we still need to know?

 What else do we need to know to improve practice?

 Identifying Deficiencies in
the Evidence
 What do we still need to know?

 What else do we need to know to improve practice?

 Identify the Audience
Ask the following question: “Who will profit from
reading my study?”

 Other researchers

 Practitioners

 Policy makers

 Special populations (e.g., parents)

 Writing the
Statement of the Problem Section

 Include one paragraph for each of the five elements

 Heavily reference this section to the literature
 Provide statistics to support trends
 Use quotes from participants (in moderation)
 Example of the Flow of Ideas in the
Problem Statement
Flow of Ideas

Justification Deficiencies in Relating the

Topic Research
for Research the Evidence Discussion
Problem
Problem to Audiences
Subject •Concern or issue •Evidence from the •In this body of •How will addressing
area •A problem literature evidence what is what we need to know
•Something that •Evidence from missing or what help researchers,
needs a solution practical experience do we need to educators, policy
know more about? makers, and other
individuals?
An Example
Parents’
•Parents can better
role in Need for • Past literature has Need to
promoting assess their role
Better access documented poor evaluate how • Counselors can better
access to for students attendance parents can
college involve parents
of color promote access • Colleges can better work
with parents
Source