Week 5 (Sept.26,06)
Frame & Refine Research Questions
Agenda for Today
Sharing life (5-10): lib time & observation.Process reading (20)Frame and refine you research questions (20) (group work).
------------------------------------1-minute presentation/defense of your research questions) (40)Peer review – INTRO (20)Relate to our schools and teaching – Hot topics sign up (10)Q & A (10)
Sharing life How was your library time? How was your one-week classroom
observation?
Agenda I
What are characteristics of “good”
Research Questions (Process readings)
A Research Question: What’s Wrong? (5.2) Do LD/ADHD students engage in
meaningful discussions during literature circles?
How to fix this? What are the core principles of framing a
research question?
How to Refine the Research Question? Do LD/ADHD students engage in
meaningful discussions during literature circles?
Four core principles: Ask only real questions Avoid yes/no questions Eliminate jargon Avoid value-laden words or phrases
Characteristics of “good” research questions? Brainstorming
Research Questions: Researchable? (5.1) Should philosophy be included in the high school
curriculum? What is the meaning of life? Is God good? Are children happier when taught by a teacher of
the same gender? Does high school achievement influent the
academic achievement of university students? What would schools be like today if World War II
had not occurred?
What happens when students identified with special needs engage in discussions during reading instruction?
Researchable?Feasible ClearSignificantEthical (later)… …
Characteristics of good research questions Researchable Feasible Clear Significant Ethical (later) … …
How about your own question? Researchable, feasible, clear, significant, ethical…?
10 Qualities of a good research purpose and/or research question
1. It is grounded in a theoretical framework.2. It is builds on, but also offers something
new to, previous research.3. It has the potential to suggest directions
for future research.4. It is a purpose or question that the
researcher is sincerely interested and/or invested in.
5. It addresses directly or indirectly some real problem in the world.
10 Qualities of a good research purpose and/or research question (cont.)
6. It takes ethical issues into consideration.7. It clearly states the variables or
constructs to be examined.8. It is not biased in terminology or position.9. It has multiple possible answers.10. It is simple, or at least manageable.
Agenda II
Frame and Refine Your Research Questions
Frame/Refine your research questions Group work
Frame your Research Question Form a group of 4/5 people Share with the group your observation
“what I’ve learned last week about teaching?”
Frame/refine your question and prepare for a 1-minute presentation/defense
1-minute presentation/defense What is your research question and sub-
questions? (Poster) Why do you think it is a good/not-so-good
research question?
You sincerely interested and/or invested in?Researchable?Feasible?Clear?Significant? Real world problemEthical?… …
Agenda III
INTRODUCTION (Peer Review)
Steps of in doing a research study (review) Preparing a proposal describing the study
to be done and its significance (Course Project).
Collecting and analyzing data. Writing a report of the completed study.
Format of a Research Report/Proposal (Review)
Abstract
Introduction Review of the literature Methodology Findings (Research Report) Discussion (Text/body – 12-16 pages double spaced)
ReferencesBibliography
Appendices
Introduction Components (Draft #1) (review)
Background Information Problem Statement Study Purpose/Rationale Research questions Definition of terms
8 annotated bibliography
Clashing Views on Educational Issues Issue #1: Should School Homework be Abolished or not?
Issue #2: Do High-Stakes Assessments Improve Learning?
Issue #3: Is Full Inclusion of Disabled Students Desirable?
Issue #4: Is Constructivism the Best Philosophy of Education?
Issue #5: You have choices!!! You can choose one from the following three:5.1 Do computers Negatively Affect Student Growth?5.2 Is Home Schooling a Danger to American Society?5.3 Does School Violence Warrant a Zero-Tolerance Policy?
Q & A
