INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH

RESEARCHRESEARCH

Prime Goal of DISCOVERY Definition: way in which we proceed to solve problems

RESEARCH PROCEDURERESEARCH PROCEDURE

Begins with identified problem Ends with conclusion Based on observable facts Logical Orderly

RESEARCH PROCEDURERESEARCH PROCEDURE

Guided by reasonable guesses or hypotheses

Confirms/rejects guesses - hypotheses on basis of facts

Conclusion resolves problem Research is circular

WHAT RESEARCH IS WHAT RESEARCH IS NOTNOT

“years of research have been spent on this product”.

looking up something in the library

writing a paper with a reference list---not a term paper

WHAT RESEARCH IS WHAT RESEARCH IS NOTNOT no discovery, no data interpretation, no awareness of meaning of facts

no research

EDUCATIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESEARCHRESEARCH Definition:–the formal, systematic application of the scientific method to the study of educational problems (Gay, 1996)

Two Key Points to Remember:Two Key Points to Remember:

Researcher must remain Neutral and Objective

Research should NOT be conducted in Isolation from other research, but should build or extend known

RESEARCH RESEARCH CHARACTERISTICSCHARACTERISTICS Begins with researcher’s question Ask WHY? or WHAT’S THE CAUSE? State problem clearly -

unambiguous Reqiures a plan Not aimless by looking something

up

RESEARCH RESEARCH CHARACTERISTICSCHARACTERISTICS

Problem into appropriate subproblems

Seeks direction through appropriate hypothesis (reasonable guess)

Deals with facts and their meanings

RESEARCH RESEARCH CHARACTERISTICSCHARACTERISTICS

Significance/importance of data depends on way facts regarded

Research is circular Problem’s solution begets another

problem Acceptance/rejection of hypothesis

Attitudes of ScientistsAttitudes of Scientists

DOUBTING THOMASES; skeptical attitude toward data of science

OBJECTIVE and IMPARTIAL FACTS, not values NOT satisfied with isolated

facts; INTERGRATE & SYSTEMATIZE

Characteristics of Characteristics of Scientific InquiryScientific Inquiry

OBJECTIVITY CONTROL OF BIAS WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE

BELIEFS VERIFICATION