what is research? how to motivate students to do research

What is Research?How to Motivate

Studentsto Do Research

Dr. GeneResearch Skills

Development UnitEducation Institute

Research Skills Development Unit

What is research?


What is Research?

“Research is diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories, applications. . .”

www.dictionary.com


What are the key characteristics of research?

• A good question

• A hypothesis or prediction

• A systematic way of answering that question; a plan for ways of collecting data

• Some findings . . . what did you find out?

• Conclusions . . . what does it all mean?


Is this research?The science teachers at Wafa preparatory school want to teach students the importance of recycling. So they start a school recycling project. Bins are set up around the school for collecting paper, plastic, and glass. Everyone in the school is encouraged to use the bins. Each week, the collected materials are taken to a recycling center where they are weighed, and the school receives money for the materials.

Project ≠ Research

How could you turn this project into a research project?


Is this research?

The students at Darwish primary school take a field trip to the Orxy Farm near Shahaniya. They get a chance to observe these beautiful creatures and listen to a lecture about preserving them. When they return to school, they write an essay about endangered species.

Field Trip ≠ Research



Is this research?

The students at Doha International School are interested in organic farming. They start a small class garden at the school and grow vegetables organically using all natural materials. When the vegetables are ripe, they pick and sell them. The money is used to buy books for the classroom.

Project ≠ Research



What is research?Paper Research/Library ResearchDefinition: Given a topic, search for information on that topic and summarize what you find.

Example: Write a report on global warming.

Advantages: Teaches student how to search for information, how to evaluate information (ICT Literacy), and how to summarize and synthesize information

Disadvantages: Students copy information or knowledge rather than creating it.


What is research?Scientific ResearchDefinition: Given a topic or question, systematically investigate that topic to discover new information, facts, or principles.

Example: What do secondary students think about having to do community service?

Advantages: Teaches students how to create new knowledge; empowers them to study issues that are important to them

Disadvantages: Takes a lot of one-on-one or small group instruction; and not all students are interested


Where did the idea of scientific research come from?

Ibn Al Haytham (965-1035) is considered the father of scientific research. He came up with the idea of systematically controlling variables as he studied light, optics, reflection, and refraction.


Types of Research

• Case studies

• Historical research

• Descriptive research

• Correlational research

• Experimental research


Who is responsible for

teaching research? What research skills should be taught at each grade? (7-12)

Should all students

be expected to do

research?

A school-wide research model may help answer these

questions.


A Research Model• Every department in the school has a sense of ownership; a

part of the research puzzle

• Research is often interdisciplinary so that teachers in different departments should work together

• A model can help you form a plan of differentiated instruction:

– By grade

– By ability level

– By interests


What traits must students have to be successful in research?

• Curiosity

• Ability to ask good questions

• Skepticism. . . don’t believe everything you read, see, or hear

• Ethical . . . play by the rules?

• Critical thinking skills


It’s all about critical thinking!What does that mean in . . .

• Science?

• Mathematics?

• English?


In Science it means . . .Teaching the process skills of scientific enquiry

• Observing

• Comparing

• Measuring

• Discovering

• Investigating


In Mathematics it means . . .Teaching the process skills like . . .

• Problem solving

• Reasoning

• Data handling


In English it means . . .Teaching skills like . . .

• Critical reading• Locating and evaluating information• Synthesizing and summarizing• Writing to explain and summarize


Motivation• How do we motivate students?

• How do we get them interested in research?

There are no magic answers!


What makes classes more or less motivating?• E.J. Sass (1989) study• Asks his classes to recall two recent class periods (blocks)

– one in which they were highly motivated and one in which their motivation was low

• Each student makes a list of specific aspects of the two classes

• Students meet in small groups to reach consensus on characteristics that contribute to high and low motivation

• Found the same eight characteristics over 20 courses

What are those eight characteristics?


What makes classes motivating?

• Instructor’s enthusiasm• Relevance of the material• Organization of the course• Appropriate difficulty level of the material• Active involvement of students• Variety• Rapport between teacher and students• Use of appropriate, concrete, and understandable

examples


Where do we teach students about research?

In Regular Classes

Science

Maths

English

Social Studies

In Extracurricular Opportunities

After School Clubs

Elective Courses

Competitions

Collaborative Projects


Developing Young Researchers

Teacher’s Manual Student Booklet Resource Kit

• Series of 12 lessons (English and Arabic)

• Hands-on activities for students

• Prepares them for doing an independent research project

• Piloted in Spring 2008

Documenting Qatari Coastal Plant Assemblages.

مدرسة عمر بن الخطاب الثانوية العلمية المستقلة للبنين

قسم األحيــــــــــاء

Rapid industrialization, land development and

overgrazing are a global threat to plant communities

and subsequently animal populations. With the recent

trend toward ecosystem restoration and species re-

introduction, a complete understanding of

assemblages and the effects of local stressors is

critical. This project documents the species

assemblages of native coastal plant communities that

has been largely protected from anthropogenic

disturbances.

Documenting Qatari Coastal Plant Assemblages.

مدرسة عمر بن الخطاب الثانوية العلمية المستقلة للبنين

قسم األحيــــــــــاء

The project team conducted an early summer vegetation survey using 10m x 10 m square plots, identifying species presence as well as species abundance over a distance of approximately 500 meters. This survey provided the baseline data for coastal vegetation and will form the first survey of a multi-year, multi season analysis investigating the effects of anthropogenic disturbance and environmental conditions on plant communities. Future work may include analysis of vegetation recovery as a region adjacent to Ras Laffan Industrial City, previously having open access, has recently been acquired for use by the industrial site and will subsequently be included in the Ras Laffan security fence.. .


Looking Ahead This School YearFor project based learning and international collaboration, consider:iEARN (sponsored by ROTA)

• ROTA is the Qatar sponsor for iEARN

• Look for them to offer schools opportunities for professional development and participation

• Check out iEARN to view the many projects it offers in all subject areas and all grades

GLOBE (Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment)

• International collaboration in science

National Student Research Fair

• Competition; rewards

www.iearn.org

www.globe.gov


Looking Ahead This YearProfessional development opportunities:

• Workshops for schools that want to start a research center, offer a research club, or research elective

• A team of teachers from a school would attend 8 two-hour sessions learning how to run research clubs, science clubs, international collaboration, competition

• Then they would come back to their school and start an extracurricular activity


Resources for Action Researchwww.teachers.net.qa


Stay in touch with what’s happening

Link to Research News and Resources


Stay in touch with what’s happening


Thank you for listening!

If you have questions about researchor need additional information,

feel free to contact me.

Dr. [email protected]

Office: 456-0153Mobile: 681-3987

what is research? how to motivate students to do research

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