Introduction To Research Methods in Education

INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
METHODS IN EDUCATION
1. The aims of educational research
2. The characteristics of educational research
3. Approaches in educational research
The positivist approach

b. The interpretive approach
a.
4. Ethics of educational research
The important aspects of research ethics

b. Ethical codes
a.
The aims of educational research

Add to knowledge
Improve practice
Inform policy debates
Source: Creswell (2012).
The characteristics of educational

research
1. Educational research attempts to solve a problem.
2. Research involves gathering new data from primary or first-hand
sources or using existing data for a new purpose.

3. Research is based upon observable experience or empirical
evidence.
4. Research demands accurate observation and description. Research
has a distinct set of steps, usually, consists of 6 steps:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
Identifying a research problem.

Reviewing the literature.
Specifying a purpose for research.
Collecting data.
Analysing and interpreting the data.
Reporting and evaluating research.
Source: Anderson (1998) and Creswell (2012).
The characteristics of educational

research
5.Research generally employs carefully designed procedures
and rigorous analysis.

6.Research emphasizes the development of generalizations,
principles or theories that will help in understanding,
prediction and/or control.
7.Research requires expertisefamiliarity with the field;
competence in methodology; technical skill in collecting and
analyzing the data.
8.Research attempts to find an objective, unbiased solution to
the problem and takes great pains to validate the
procedures employed.
9.Research is a deliberate and unhurried activity which is
directional but often refines the problem or questions as
the research progresses.
10.
Research is carefully recorded and reported to other
persons interested in the problem.
Approaches in educational research

The interpretive approach

(Quantitative)
Generates statistics through the use of
large-scale survey research, using

methods such as questionnaires or
structured interviews. This type of
research reaches many more people, but
the contact with those people is much
quicker than it is in qualitative research.
Describes a research problem through a
description of trends/explanation of the
relationship among variables

(Quantitative)
Provides a major role for the literature
Creates purpose statements, RQs,
hypotheses that are specific, narrow,

measurable and observable
Collects numeric data with preset
questions and responses
Analyses trends, compares groups or
relates variables using statistical
analysis.

(Quantitative)
Interprets results by comparing with prior
predictions and past research

Writes research report standard fixed
structures and evaluation criteria
objective and unbiased approach
Source: Creswell (2012)

(Qualitative)
Best suited to address a research problem
where the variables are not known and

need to be explored
Explores attitudes, behaviour and
experiences through such methods as
interviews or focus groups.
Attempts to get an in-depth opinion from
participants. As it is attitudes, behaviour and
experiences which are important, fewer people
take part in the research, but the contact with
these people tends to last a lot longer.

(Qualitative)
Literature review plays a minor role to
justify the problem

States the purpose and RQs in general and
broad way the participants
experiences
Collects data based on participants
words
Analyses data for description and
themes using text analysis

(Qualitative)
Interprets the larger meaning of the
findings
Writes the report using flexible, emerging
structures and evaluative criteria
Includes researchers subjective
reflexivity and bias
Ethics of educational research

The important aspects of research ethics
Ethical codes
The important aspects of research

ethics
The treatment of participants
Maximising good outcomes and minimising
risks
Respect for participants
Protecting autonomy and ensuring well-
informed, voluntary participation

Justice
Fair distribution of risks and benefits
Ethical codes
Institutional Review Boards
Professional Associations
BERA (British Educational Research
Association)
AERA (American Educational Research
Association)
APA (American Psychological Association)
Ethical codes
Research Process
Data Collection
Data Reporting
Source:
Anderson, G. J. (1998). Fundamentals of
Educational Research. London:

RoutledgeFalmer
Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational Research:
Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating
Quantitative and Qualitative Research. Boston:
Pearson
Family Health International. Qualitative
Research Methods: A Data Collectors Field
Guide.
Suggested Reading:
Fraenkel, J. R. and N. E. Wallen. (1993). How to
Design and Evaluate Research in Education.

New York: McGraw-Hill Inc.
Tutorial 1
Contrast qualitative approach with
quantitative approach. Give 2 examples of

topics which can be researched on using
each approach.

Introduction To Research Methods in Education

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Introduction To Research Methods in Education

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Introduction To Research Methods in Education

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH

The positivist approach

4. Ethics of educational research

The important aspects of research ethics

The aims of educational research

Source: Creswell (2012).

The characteristics of educational

sources or using existing data for a new purpose.

Identifying a research problem.

Source: Anderson (1998) and Creswell (2012).

The characteristics of educational

and rigorous analysis.

Approaches in educational research

The positivist approach

The positivist approach

large-scale survey research, using

The positivist approach

hypotheses that are specific, narrow,

The positivist approach

predictions and past research

Source: Creswell (2012)

The interpretive approach

where the variables are not known and

The interpretive approach

justify the problem

The interpretive approach

Ethics of educational research

The important aspects of research

informed, voluntary participation

Educational Research. London:

Design and Evaluate Research in Education.

quantitative approach. Give 2 examples of

You might also like