Topic 1 - Research in Education

• What is Research


  Systematic Investigation: Research involves a structured and organized process of inquiry. It follows a methodical approach to gather data, analyze information, and draw conclusions.
• Research


  Discovery of New Facts or Information: The primary goal of research is to uncover previously unknown facts, insights, or knowledge. It contributes to expanding our understanding of various phenomena.
• Importance of Evidence-Based Decision-Making in Education
• Types of Research


  • Basic Research: Exploration of theoretical concepts without immediate practical application.
  • Applied Research: Aimed at solving practical problems and providing solutions.
  • Action Research: Involves practitioners actively participating in the research process to improve their own practices.
  • Evaluation Research: Focuses on assessing the effectiveness of educational programs and policies.
• Approaches in Research


  • The Positivist Approach (Quantitative): Emphasizes objective measurements and statistical analysis.
  • The Interpretive Approach (Qualitative): Focuses on understanding the meanings and interpretations of individuals in their natural context.
  • The Critical Approach (Action Research)
• Positivist Approach (Quantitative)


  • Emphasis on measurable, observable phenomena.
  • Use of experiments, surveys, and statistical methods.
  • Strives for objectivity and generalizability.
• Interpretive Approach (Qualitative)


  • Focus on understanding subjective experiences and meanings.
  • Methods include interviews, observations, and content analysis.
  • Emphasizes context and the researcher's role in shaping interpretations.
• Research Ethics


  • Informed consent
  • Confidentiality
  • The responsibility to ensure research does not harm participants.
• Choosing the Right Approach: Discuss factors influencing the choice between quantitative and qualitative approaches in educational research.
• Positivism


  A research philosophy that emphasizes the use of scientific methods to gain knowledge. It argues that reality exists independently of human beliefs and can be discovered through empirical observation and logical analysis.
• Positivism


  • Focuses on quantifiable observations and often uses statistical methods to validate hypotheses
  • Grounded in the belief that phenomena can be understood and explained through objective analysis and general laws
• Positivist research


  • Large-scale survey that aims to quantify attitudes or behaviors in a population
  • Collecting and analyzing numerical data through standardized methods to draw conclusions about trends and patterns without the influence of personal biases
• Positivism in education


  Applying standardized testing and assessments to objectively measure students' knowledge and skills, providing quantifiable data to analyze and improve educational strategies and outcomes
• Interpretivism


  A philosophical approach that highlights the importance of understanding the meaning constructions individuals create within their social contexts. It focuses on subjective experiences and emphasizes qualitative methods to study social phenomena.
• Interpretivist study


  • In-depth interviews or ethnographic research exploring how a community's culture and traditions influence their actions and beliefs
• Interpretivism in education


  Emphasizes the need for a personalized approach to learning, recognizing the role of the learner's context and experiences in shaping their understanding of knowledge. Uses methods such as storytelling, case studies, or reflective discussions to engage students and consider their unique interpretations of the content.
• Constructivism


  Posits that knowledge is not passively received but actively constructed by individuals through their interactions with the world. It emphasizes the learner's role in making sense of experiences and suggests that people construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world, through experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences.

  
• Constructivist research


  • Study on how children learn mathematical concepts through problem-solving in real-life contexts, exploring how children interact with their environment, experiment with ideas, and construct understanding through these experiences
• Constructivism in education


  Emphasizes collaborative learning, problem-solving, and hands-on experiences. Teachers facilitate group projects, simulations, or interactive discussions, allowing students to construct knowledge through active engagement. Fosters critical thinking and creativity, encouraging learners to explore concepts deeply and apply them in various contexts.
• Research Methodologies


  Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods
• Explore different research methodologies

  1. Quantitative Study Methodology

  2. Mixed Methods Study Methodology
• Quantitative research


  Focuses on gathering numerical data and analyzing it using statistical methods
• Quantitative research methodology


  1. Define research problem and questions

  2. Describe research design, sampling, data collection, and analysis
• Sampling


  Selecting a group of individuals from a larger population to participate in the study
• Sampling methods


  • Random sampling
  • Stratified sampling
  • Cluster sampling
• Sampling in quantitative research

  1. Justify sampling method based on objectives and population

  2. Detail sample size, participant selection, and limitations
• Mixed methods research


  Combines elements of quantitative and qualitative research to benefit from the strengths of both approaches
• Mixed methods research methodology

  1. Describe research design and rationale

  2. Explain how quantitative and qualitative data will be collected and analyzed

  3. Discuss integration of methods, sequencing, priority, ethics, and limitations

  
• Qualitative research


  Aims to explore and understand the meaning behind human behaviors, beliefs, and experiences
• Qualitative research methodology


  1. Outline research setting and participant selection

  2. Describe data collection methods

  3. Discuss data analysis approach

  4. Address researcher's role, ethics, and measures for trustworthiness and credibility

  
• Qualitative data collection methods

  • In-depth interviews
  • Focus groups
  • Participant observation
  • Document analysis

  
• Qualitative data collection


  Discuss procedures, recording, and strategies for reliability and validity

  
• Quantitative study


  A study that collects and analyzes numerical data
• Data collection methods for quantitative study

  • Surveys and questionnaires
  • Observational study
  • Experiments
  • Structured interviews
  • Document review
• Surveys and questionnaires


  • Amongst the most common methods used in quantitative research
  • Can be distributed electronically or in print
  • Allow researchers to collect large amounts of data efficiently
  • Design of questions is crucial to extract clear, unbiased responses from participants
• Observational study


  • Researcher monitors participants without intervention
  • Used to gather data on naturally occurring behaviors within a set environment
  • Especially beneficial in settings where manipulating variables is unethical or impractical
• Experiments


  • Involve manipulating one or more variables to examine their effect on certain outcomes
  • Controlled method allows researchers to establish causal relationships between variables
  • Cornerstone in quantitative research for testing hypotheses
• Structured interviews


  • Follow a set script, ensuring each participant is asked the same questions in the same order
  • Standardization helps in aggregating and comparing data
• Document review


  • Involves collecting and analyzing existing documents and records to gather data
  • Particularly useful when researching historical trends or when primary data collection is not feasible
  • Requires a systematic approach to ensure reliability and validity of findings
• Research


  A way to learn more about something. When someone does research, they hope to learn something new.