The Basics of The Basics of Educational ResearchEducational Research

The Basics of Educational ResearchThe Basics of Educational ResearchChapter TwoChapter Two

What is a Research Problem?What is a Research Problem?

It is a problem that someone would It is a problem that someone would like to investigate.like to investigate.

It is considered a situation that needs It is considered a situation that needs to be changed or addressed.to be changed or addressed.

These problems consist of:These problems consist of: Areas of concernAreas of concern Conditions to be improvedConditions to be improved Difficulties to be eliminatedDifficulties to be eliminated Questions seeking answersQuestions seeking answers

Research QuestionsResearch Questions

Proper research questions need collectable Proper research questions need collectable data to create possible answersdata to create possible answers

Research questions must have an Research questions must have an empirical (based on observable evidence) empirical (based on observable evidence) referent(s)referent(s)

Figure 2.1 demonstrates the difference Figure 2.1 demonstrates the difference between researchable and non-between researchable and non-researchable questionsresearchable questions

Characteristics of Good Research Characteristics of Good Research QuestionsQuestions

Good research questions possess Good research questions possess four essential characteristics:four essential characteristics:

The question is feasibleThe question is feasible The question is clearThe question is clear The question is significantThe question is significant The question is ethicalThe question is ethical

Researchable vs. Non-researchable Researchable vs. Non-researchable Questions (Figure 2.1)Questions (Figure 2.1)

Defining TermsDefining Terms

There are 3 ways to clarify important There are 3 ways to clarify important terms or meaning in a research terms or meaning in a research question:question:1) use of 1) use of constitutive definitionconstitutive definition (the (the

dictionary approach)dictionary approach)

2) use of proper example(s)2) use of proper example(s)

3) use of 3) use of operational definitionoperational definition (specifying (specifying operations used to measure or identify operations used to measure or identify examples of the term)examples of the term)

See p. 53, “Key Terms to Define in a Research Study”

When Operational Definitions would be Helpful (Figure 2.2)When Operational Definitions would be Helpful (Figure 2.2)

Research Questions Should Be Research Questions Should Be SignificantSignificant

Research questions should be Research questions should be worthworth investigatinginvestigating

These questions should be important and These questions should be important and significantsignificant

The investment of time and energy The investment of time and energy should:should: contribute some knowledge and value to contribute some knowledge and value to

one’s field of studyone’s field of study Improve educational practiceImprove educational practice Improve the human conditionImprove the human condition

Common Problems for Student Common Problems for Student ResearchResearch

Student justifications for a proposed study are Student justifications for a proposed study are likely to have two weaknesses:likely to have two weaknesses:1) The assumption is too great that everyone will agree 1) The assumption is too great that everyone will agree

that the stated problem is a ‘problem’.that the stated problem is a ‘problem’. It is the researcher’s job to clarify and prove that the study It is the researcher’s job to clarify and prove that the study

or question is important.or question is important.

2) Students often overstate the implications of a study.2) Students often overstate the implications of a study. Evidence of the effectiveness of a certain treatment doesn’t Evidence of the effectiveness of a certain treatment doesn’t

mean that this will occur or result automatically when mean that this will occur or result automatically when adopted or implemented.adopted or implemented.