Research Problem

What is a research problemA problem that someone wants to research

DissatisfactionChange [a system]Something not working well

Problem involvesConcern (something to be improved; question to be answered)Condition (possible solution to the problem)

Research problem

Posed as a question

Aids in the focus of the investigationShould not be posed as yes/no questionsShould give idea that information can be collectedGives a gist of the methodology/ design

Activity:

Change the general topics into researchable questions:

1. Class size and student achievement2. Alcohol consumption on christmas eve

and new year’s eve

Characteristics of good research problem

Feasible/researchableClearSignificant/suitableethical

Task (leading to assignment #2)Think of a research problem relating to literacy

Write it as a statement firstRewrite it as a questionEvaluate your question

Make sure this is a problem you are truly interested in. Remember, how you state your research problem will determine the type of research methodology you will employ

Research Proposal

Why conduct research?

Test hypothesisExtend researchObtain information that is accurate and reliable – using a scientific method

Purpose of a proposal

Communicate intentions in written formWhat will be doneWhy it will be doneHow it will be doneWho will be involvedHow it will be analyzed

Write up of the proposal

The write up of the proposal begins with the research problem:

How is a research problem found/formed/ formulated?

Sections of a proposal

Introduction

Gives background information relating to the problem – why is there a problem. The introduction usually starts with general information then gets to the specifics of the problem.

E.g. Mathematics is one of the fundamental skills that children must learn on entry into schools because ….. Children’s difficulty in mathematics result from a combination of factors such as ….. In Jamaica, there seems to be a considerable number of children who experience difficulties in computation. This is confirmed by Whitely (1994) who noted that ….. That there are groups of students who experience difficulties in computation is evident from the annual CSEC results. According to Minott (2007), the failure rate in CSEC mathematics continues to be disturbing because more than … It has been noted however that students who received individual tutoring in mathematics tend to perform above average in this area.

Sections of proposal (cont’d)

RationaleWhat justifications are there for doing the research?State why this topic is importantPresent “worthy” argumentsGood justifications include specific implications

E.g. Recent research on the development of mathematical abilities has focused on secondary students. Results have indicated that if mathematical abilities are developed then students tend to be more focused. Research needs to be extended to include primary level students.

ObjectiveRestating the research problem in statement format

E.g. The purpose of this study is to identify and describe classroom routine in a grade 1 class. It is assumed that descriptive information of this nature will provide teachers with information in how to schedule their class time.

Sections of a proposal

Research Question(s)Two-three questions from the research problemIt is a more specific form of the problem and help to guide the review of literature processThey should not be stated to produce yes/no responses. E.g. Problem: What will be the effect of individual tutoring in mathematics at the grade 11 level on their end of term math results?

Research questions:What is the prevalence of math failure among groups of grade 11 students?Is there a difference in students’ failure in mathematics based on gender?Are there any significant differences in the students’ pre-test and post-test scores?

Sections of a proposalSignificance of the study

Identify who will benefit from such a researchState the nature of the benefit

Limitations of the studyLimitations relating to the scope of the study should be highlighted e.g. time schedule,

Review of related literature

This is a partial summary of previous work related to the focus of the proposed study

As you review the literature you must do this criticallyE.g. Research conducted by Whitely (1997), has shown that individual tutoring improves students’ math competence. This was also the findings by other researchers such as …… Despite the positive findings, however, none of these researchers described the type of environment where the tutoring occurred. Given the limited resources in Jamaica, the results of such studies replicated in this context could reveal different results …

Sections of a proposal

MethodologyResearch designSampleInstrumentationProceduresData analysis

Sections of a proposalMethodology (cont’d)

Research Design – type of researchSample – how subjects will be obtainedInstrumentation – what will you use to gather information relating to your studyProcedures – a detailed step-by-step plan outlining how you will carry out the research and how the information collected will be used to answer the research questionsData analysis – how the data collected will be organized statistically

Procedures

Tools for collecting dataTests (pre-post tests; individual/group, timed/ untimed etc)Attitudes scales (likert scale) – e.g. mathematics is my favourite subject SA, A, U, D, SDObservation (with use of checklist)QuestionnairesInterviews

Data AnalysisYou will describe how the data collected will be organized and analyzed (statistical procedures)

The data is usually organized based on the research questions

Analysis (statistical procedures)The research design determines the statistical techniquesQualitative approaches

Sample responses and other narratives, anecdotes; highlights of themes

Quantitative approachMeasures of central tendencies (mean, sd)Tables, graphs, chartsCorrelational formula, t-tests, ANOVA

Class Activity QuestionsWhat would be the most appropriate type of research to investigate each of the topics listed?

Diplomatic relationships between Japan and the United States between 1918 and 1941Relationship between student attendance and achievement in biology classesNumber of single mothers on the PATH program in St. ThomasDaily operations of taxi operators in the Half-Way Tree areaChanging disruptive behaviour through rewards and praise

For additional information on proposal writing visit the follow web site:

http://www.des.emory.edu/mfp/proposal.html