1. RESEARCH QUESTION EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH

3. Role of the Research Question • Attempts to focus on a stated goal • Gives direction to research process • Suggests the hypothesis(es)

5. RESEARCH QUESTION • Must be CLEARLY stated!!!! • Must be SIGNIFICANT!!!! • Must be ETHICAL!!!! • Must be FEASIBLE!!!! • Must indicate RELATIONSHIP!!!!

6. RESEARCH QUESTION • The educational significance of your study must be one/more of following: • advance knowledge in the field • improve instructional practices • help individual (person-school-agency)

7. Ethical Conduct • Ethics ALWAYS relevant • Physical/psychological risk/harm • Vulnerable persons • Anonymity • Confidentiality • Informed consent

9. RESEARCH QUESTION CLARITY • Operational definition • very specific meaning • ascribes meaning to concepts and constructs • specifies operations to measure - manipulate concept

10. More on Operational Definitions • written in complete, grammatically correct sentences

11. What are Researchable Questions? • Data can provide answers • NO value judgments

12. Sample Researchable Questions • Is there a significant difference between client-centered therapy and behavior modification in client satisfaction among middle-aged adults? • What is the effect of Ritalin on success rate in math of elementary school children?

13. What are NonResearchable Questions? • Data CANNOT be collected to answer question

14. Sample NonResearchable Questions • Are children who attend Sunday School more likely to go to Heaven than children who do not? • Is behavioral family therapy the BEST method for counselors to use with alienated youth?

15. Which are which? • Does high school achievement influence the academic achievement of university students? • RESEARCHABLE • What is the LEAST effective way to teach grammar? • NONRESEARCHABLE

16. Which are which? • Should elementary school teachers use the inquiry method to teach math concepts? • VALUE JUDGMENT • What is the effect of kindergarten on success in first grade? • RESEARCHABLE

17. Writing Your Own Question • Be within your area of Expertise and interest • Be able to collect data • Be feasible • time location • resources money

19. How to Phrase Question • What is the effect of [independent variable] on [dependent variable] among [population]? • EXAMPLE • What is the effect of study skills on reading achievement among sixth grade students?

20. Another Example • What is the effect of a mainstreaming workshop on teachers’ attitudes toward mainstreaming among secondary teachers?

21. Another Example • What is the effect ofcomputer-based instruction versus traditional instruction onmath achievement among elementary school children?

22. How to Phrase Question? • Is there a significant difference between [independent variable] and/versus [independent variable] on[dependent variable] among [population]? • Is there a significant difference between boys and girls on math achievement among at-risk students?

23. Another Example • Is there a significant difference between elementary and secondary teachers’ attitudes on the purposes of school among Southern teachers?

24. Another Example • Is there a significant difference between boys and girls oncomputer usage among middle school students?

25. INTRODUCTION TO PROPOSAL • The second paragraph of the introduction SHOULD read as follows:

26. The purpose of this proposal is to [state research question in form of a sentence]. [1 or 2 filler sentences elaborating upon the purpose]. Therefore, the educational significance of this study will be to [choose 1 of the following or in combination---advance the existing body of knowledge in [field of...]; improve instructional practices of [subject]; and/or help an individual/school...]