Research Methods

                                       SAUNDER’S ONION RINGS MODEL   Saunders compared research to onion rings it has *layers*, and deeper layers reveal more detailed insights. This idea shows that research builds on previous work and requires deeper investigation over time.

                                          Identifying a Research Problem    Selecting resources • Summarizing resources Specifying a Purpose for Research • Identifying the purpose statement • Narrowing the purpose statement to research questions or hypotheses You begin a research study by identifying a topic to study—typically an issue or problem in education that needs to be resolved. Identifying a research problem consists of specifying an issue to study, developing a justification for studying it, and suggesting the importance of the study for select audiences that will read the report. By specifying a “problem,” you limit the subject matter and focus attention on a specifi c aspect of study. Consider the following “problems,” each of which merits research:   (i) Teens are not learning how to connect to others in their communities (ii) Teenage smoking will le...

                  THE SIX STEPS IN THE PROCESS OF RESEARCH                 When researchers conduct a study, they proceed through a distinct set of steps. Years ago these steps were identified as the “scientific method” of inquiry (Kerlinger, 1972; Leedy & Ormrod, 2001). Using a “scientific method,” researchers: ◆ Identify a problem that defines the goal of research   ◆ Make a prediction that, if confirmed, resolves the problem   ◆ Gather data relevant to this prediction ◆ Analyze and interpret the data to see if it supports the prediction and resolves the question that initiated the research   Applied today, these steps provide the foundation for educational research. Although not all studies include predictions, you engage in these steps whenever you undertake a research study.     The process of research consists of six ...