CHAPTER 1: EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH: ITS NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS THE NATURE OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH Educational Research: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

is empirical takes a variety of forms should be valid should be reliable should be systematic

Empirical - knowledge derived from research is based on data collected by the researcher The Systematic Process of Research 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Identify the problem (and relevant related knowledge) Review the information (via literature search) Collect data (in an organized and controlled manner) Analyze data (in a manner appropriate to the problem) Draw conclusions (make generalizations based on results of analysis)

The Validity of Educational Research Quantitative Research: Internal Validity - the extent to which research results can be accurately interpreted. External Validity - the extent to which research results can be generalized to populations and conditions. Internal validity is generally prerequisite to external validity. Qualitative Research: Truth Value/ Credibility - accurate representation of information from the researchers perspective and substantiating evidence) Comparability - the extent to which the characteristics of the research are described so that other researchers may use the results to extend knowledge. Translatability - the extent to which adequate theoretical constructs and research procedures are used so that other researchers can understand the results.

Validity is always a matter of degree--perfect internal and external validity in a study is almost impossible. The researcher must seek a useful balance

between internal validity (ability to interpret results with reasonable certainty) and external validity (ability to generalize information obtained). The Reliability of Educational Research Quantitative Research: Reliability - the consistency of research and the extent to which it can be reproduced. Internal Reliability - the extent to which data collection, analysis, and interpretation are consistent given the same conditions. External Reliability - the extent to which independent researchers can replicate studies in the same or similar conditions. Qualitative Research: Dependability - adequacy of describing the changes in context during the study and how the researcher addressed these) Confirmability - extent to which others can confirm study results) Observer Agreement - the extent to which two/more observers of the same event agree on what occurred (inter-rater reliability). CLASSIFICATION OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH Basic Research - research conducted in order to add to the existing body of knowledge in the discipline. Applied Research - research conducted to solve an immediate, practical problem. Action Research - research conducted by an educational practitioner to aid in decision making at the local school. Qualitative and Quantitative Research Distinction: qualitative-quantitative continuum (rather than a specific dichotomy) Qualitative Research: conducted for the purpose of understanding social phenomena Historical Research - the study of a problem in the past that requires collecting information from the past, which serves as the data to be interpreted in the study. It consists of describing what was, rather than what is. Biographical Research - exploration of the life or activities of an individual. A form of historical research that focuses on an individual.

Phenomenological Research - understanding the essence of experiences related to a phenomenon or situation. Often utilizes in-depth interviews with appropriate subjects to understand the phenomenon being studied. Grounded Theory - development of a theory (theories) based on data collected from the field through qualitative methodology. Usually utilizes multiple interviews to obtain the data the provide the basis for the development of theory. Ethnographic Research - research consisting of an in-depth, analytical description of a specific cultural (or educational) situation. Ethnography relies heavily on observation, description, and qualitative judgments or interpretations of phenomena occurring in natural settings. (E.g. case studies) Case Study - in-depth analysis of a single case or a few multiple cases. Case studies utilize a variety of information sources to obtain an in-depth understanding of the case under study. Quantitative Research: conducted to determine relationships, effects, and causes. Experimental Research - research in which at least one variable, the experimental variable, is deliberately manipulated by the researcher to determine the effects of the variation. Quasi-Experimental Research - similar to experimental research except that intact groups are used as subjects of the research (rather than subjects randomly assigned to experimental conditions). Also included research where single subjects are assigned to experimental conditions). Causal-Comparative Research - research that attempts to establish cause and effect relationships involving group comparisons. Unlike experimental research, however, the (alleged) causal variable is not manipulated by the researcher--it is studied as it occurred at some time in the past. (Also referred to as Ex post facto research.) Correlational Research - research that attempts to determine whether, and to what degree, a relationship exists between two or more variables. The purpose of correlational research is to establish a relationship (or lack of a relationship) or use an established relationship to make predictions. Survey Research - research dealing with the incidence, distribution, and relationships of educational, psychological, and sociological variables. Variables are studied as they exist in the situation. Often, survey research describes how things are. ! Quantitative / Qualitative research methodologies exist along a continuum all research utilizes methodologies that combine quantitative and qualitative designs to some extent.

! Research requirements dictate whether the methodology will be primarily qualitative or quantitative, or a combination of both. THE ROLE OF THEORY Theory - a set of interrelated constructs (concepts), definitions, and propositions that present a systematic view of phenomena by specifying relationships among variables with the purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomena. The function of educational research is to improve the educational process through the refinement and extension of knowledge ! All educational research is directed toward either/both: 1. the extension of knowledge 2. the solution of a problem