EDU 211: INTRODUCTION OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
Learning Outcome 1: Apply the characteristics of educational research and the common
concepts used in the scientific approach to educational research
1.1 Common Concepts in Educational Research
1.1.1 Meaning of Research
Careful consideration of study
Systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict and control observed phenomenon
Meaning of Educational Research
Refers to a systematic attempt to gain better understanding of educational process
Study and investigation in the field of education
1.1.2 Purpose of Educational Research
Three main purposes
Exploratory – conduct studies that explore
Descriptive – focuses on expanding knowledge
Primary purpose of descriptive studies: describing, explaining validating findings
Explanatory
Research for understanding impact of specific changes
Running experiments popular form of research
1.1.3 Significance of Educational Research
Educational research significant because of:
Contributing knowledge development
Improving practices
Provide competencies to educators
Facilitating teaching and learning process
Verifying previous findings
Promoting change of concept of education
1.1.4 Characteristics of Educational Research
Research directed toward solution of problems in education
Emphasizes development of principles and theories
Involves getting first-hand data
Accents what is verifiable
Strives to be objective
Based on insight and imagination
Requires interdisciplinary approach
1.1.5 Independent variable versus Dependent variable
Meaning of variable
Refers to a person, place, thing or phenomenon to be measured sets of variables;
Change variables (independent variables
Variable that affect or influence cause and effect variable (extraneous)
Connecting or linking variable (intervening variables)
1.1.6 Quantitative Research and Qualitative Research
Quantitative research – involves collecting and analyzing numerical data
Emphasizes objective measurements and statistical, mathematical analysis
Characteristics of Quantitative Research
Data gathered using structured research instruments
Results based on larger sample sizes that are representative
Data in form of numbers and statistics
Tools used such as questionnaires computer software for data collection
Qualitative Research
Process of collecting and analyzing non numerical data
Research commonly used in humanities social sciences, education et.c
Characteristics of Qualitative
Researchers collect data themselves
Researchers build their patterns, categories and themes from bottom up
Research methods most commonly use methods of observations, interviews, surveys,
secondary data
2.0 Sequential stages/steps in Research process
Research process consists of actions or steps
Each step is interlinked with other steps
2.1 Step 1: Identifying and defining research problem
Find scope of problem and type of information needed
Sources of problems: personal experience, theories, published literature
Research problems has a number of related steps which include
Background to the study
Statement of the problem
Purpose of the study
Objectives of the study
Research questions or hypotheses
Significance of the study
Assumptions of the study
Limitations of the study
Delimitations of the study
Theoretical framework
Conceptual framework
Operational definitions of terms
2.2 Step 2: Reviewing Literature
Review literature
Review can help in
Brings clarity
Improving research methodology
Broadening knowledge base
Enabling contextualization of findings
Step involved in review
Searching for relevant literature
Evaluate sources
Identifying themes, debates and gaps
Outline your literature
2.3 Step 3: Research Design and Methodology
Discusses research methods
Researcher outlines strategy research design and methodology
This step includes
Research design
Research methodology
Population and sample size
Data collection methods
Methods of data analysis
Reliability and validity
Ethical consideration
2.4 Step 4: Data Analysis and Interpretation
Data process begins with editing and coding of data
Involves reducing accumulated data to manageable size
Data analysis techniques range from simple graphical technique to complex
analysis
2.5 Step 5: Summary, conclusions and Recommendation
Final chapter of study
Contain summary of first four chapter
Conclusion enables researcher to reinforce what has been found and the impact of
those findings
Recommendations call for action or solution to the problems investigated
Highlights specific solutions and measures to be implemented on finds