Exploratory research practices

Dr. Deniz Kurtoğlu Eken, Sabancı University

Eaquals Members Meeting, 19-21 Nov. 2015

Nice, France

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Examples of question typesOpen-ended

Closed

Open-ended but limited through number of responses asked for

Likert scale

Choices/options/items provided in a table or list

Ranking / prioritising

Statement completion

Text-based

Visual input-basedWorkshop Task 1

A matrix of question options

(adapted from Patton, 1987)

Past

Present

Future

Behaviour/experience questionsAimed at eliciting descriptions, behaviours, actions and activities

Opinion/value questionsAimed at understanding the cognitive & interpretive processes of people

Feeling questionsAimed at understanding the emotional responses of people to their experiences and thoughts

Knowledge questionsAimed at finding out what factual information the informant has

Sensory questionsAimed at exploring through the sensory apparatus of the respondents; what is seen, heard, touched, tasted and smelled

Demographic/background questionsAimed at locating the informant in relation to other people; identifying characteristics e.g. age, education, occupation Workshop Task 2

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A closer look at exploratory research...Exploratory classroom tasks

• Using everyday classroom tasks for exploratory research e.g. brainstorming,

mind mapping, listing, ranking, prioritising, discussing, role play & simulation

• Input-based exploratory tasks e.g. images, metaphors, psychology tests,

descriptions, case studies, personalization, creative writing

• Criteria development and feedback tasks e.g. criteria for effective lessons;

qualities of a „good‟ teacher / a „good‟ student etc.

Learner research diaries

• Tasks focusing primarily on learners‟ personal development

• Learning and classroom focused tasks

• Tasks that can be embedded into the teaching & learning programme

• A combination of more than one of the three task types above

Learner interviews and surveys

• Learners interviewing others (peers, teachers, lecturers, etc.)

• Role reversal in interviews “Am I a problem student?”

• Surveys focusing on learning from learners

• Learners designing surveys – specific topics, formative feedback

Learner observations

• Learners as observers through simple but informative observation tasks

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Thank you!

kurtoglueken@sabanciuniv.edu

Allright & Hanks (2008) The Developing Language Learner: An Introduction to Exploratory Practice, Palgrave MacMillan

Edge, J. (1992) Cooperative Development: Professional self-development through cooperation with colleagues, Longman

Gooding & Rothenstein (2008) Mind Games: A Box of Psychological Play, Redstone

Kurtoglu Eken, D. (2015) Learner-based Research In A Practical Guide to English Language Learner Development in an Academic Context by E.G.Alayafi & N.Demirdirek, Blakswan Publishing House

Kurtoglu Eken, D. (2008) Growing with re-search: Research in education In IATEFL Research SIG Newsletter Issue 22 Autumn

Kurtoglu Eken, D. (2009a) Research for learner, teacher & institutional development In IATEFL Teacher Development SIG Newsletter Issue 61 Summer pp. 19-22

Kurtoglu Eken, D. (2009b)Alone Together In English Teaching Professional Issue 65 November pp. 51-53

Nagao & Saito (1998) Kokology: The Game of Self-discovery, Simon & Schuster

Scheeren, J. (2011) Improving School Effectiveness. UNESCO.

Whitaker, T. et al. (2009). Motivating and Inspiring Teachers: The Educational Leader’s Guide for Building Staff Morale. Eye on Education

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Interviewshttp://www.public.asu.edu/~kroel/www500/Interview%20Fri.pdf

http://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/center-for-refugee-and-disaster-response/publications_tools/publications/_pdf/pr_section_3.PDFCheck out this video on YouTube: http://youtu.be/9t-_hYjAKww

Surveyshttp://studentaffairs.psu.edu/assessment/pdf/KurtJohnsonPresentationFA11.pdf

http://www.uwlax.edu/catl/Presentations/T4TW/Effective%20Survey%20Design%20and%20Analysis+Worksheet%20-%20June%202010.pdf

http://help.surveymonkey.com/articles/en_US/kb/Available-question-types-and-formatting-options

Think Aloudhttp://www.hu.mtu.edu/~njcarpen/hu3120/pdfs/thinkaloud.pdf

http://staff.science.uva.nl/~maarten/Think-aloud-method.pdf

http://brock.scholarsportal.info/journals/brocked/home/article/viewFile/38/38

http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gohar_Seyedi/publication/232660468_The_Think-aloud_Method_in_EFL_Reading_Comprehension/file/9fcfd50898638d9320.pdf

http://deal.elte.hu/pages/novelty/htm2/vol73/elekes.htm