Tutorial 1 (Mdm Ranjani)

1. Define and explain.

a. Basic Research
Definition: Investigation and analysis focused on a better or fuller
understanding of a subject, phenomenon, or a basic law of nature instead of
on a specific practical application of the results. It is the source of most new
scientific ideas and ways of thinking about the world.
Examples: Exploratory, Descriptive, Explanatory
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

gaining or increasing the scientific knowledge base

to find theoretical truth and understanding
help in supporting and rejecting existing hypothesis and theories
for theory development

b. Applied Research
Definition: refers to scientific study and research that seek to solve practical
problems. It concerns with the application of theory to the solutions of
problems.
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

aims at solving problems or to answer specific questions

aims to solve current educational problems
to develop innovative technologies
to determine their effectiveness in improving learning

c. Action Research
Definition: A systematic process that allows you to try out different ways of
doing things in your classroom until you find something that really works for
you and your students. It involves the application of the steps of the scientific
method in the classroom problems. It is done on a very limited scope to solve
a particular problem. Often performed by group of participants, the process
involves investigation through activity rather than theoretical response. Action
research can be engaged in by an individual teacher, a collaborative group of
colleagues sharing a common concern, or an entire school faculty.
a) To improve practice and professional knowledge
b) To make changes to improve learning and teaching practices
c) A way of bridging the traditional divide between educational theory and
professional/teaching practices
d) Appraise self-performance
e) To explore new ideas, methods and materials
f) To share feedback with fellow members
d. Evaluation Research
Definition: research undertaken to see whether a program or activity is
meeting or has met the objectives set for it. A dynamic, ongoing process
that provides feedback to all components of the plan for the utilization of
nursing research.
(i)
to provide feedback on an event, organization, program, policy,
technology, person, activity
(ii)
provides a mechanism to monitor, revise, correct, and maintain the
planned change.

Principles and key concepts of AR

It is concern to improve quality of human action and practice.

 The focus is on the immediate concern to practitioners.

Action research is collaborative. It implies a shared community of discourse
between insiders and outsiders and those practitioners are not merely treated
as clients but as co-investigators.
It is conducted in a natural setting where the problem is encountered.
Action research is participatory in nature. Those affected participate in
research and implementation of preferred solutions.
It focuses on the case or a single unit. Action research examines a single case
and a sample population, for instance, the classroom or the school.
There is no attempt to control setting variables.
The problem, aims, and methodology may shift as inquiry proceeds. Action
research does not consider problems as fixed.
Action research is evaluative-reflective.
Action research is methodologically eclectic-innovative.
It is scientific. By stating problems, formulate action hypotheses the action
researcher exercises rigorous scientific principle of procedures.
Usefulness or utility value should be shared among the participants.
Dialogue and discourse-based nature. In action research understanding can
only be achieved through unconstrained dialogue with project participants.
Action research is critical. Critique is pivotal aspects of the process and an
important step towards understanding interpretation and emancipation.
Action research is emancipatory. It attempts to give participants greater
autonomy through collective reflection.

2. Main types of Educational Research Design and how they can be carried out.

Quantitative :
-follows a deductive research process and involves the collection and analysis
of quantitative (i.e., numerical) data to identify statistical relations of variables.
-Common quantitative research methods include: content (relational) analysis,
experiments, observations (scaled ratings, checklists), and surveys (closedended, validated scales)
(i) Correlational Research
A systematic investigation or statistical study of relationships among two or
more variables, without necessarily determining cause and effect.
(ii) Experimental Research
An objective, systematic, controlled investigation for the purpose of
predicting and controlling phenomena and examining probability and
causality among selected variables.
(iii) Survey Research
involves administration of an instrument to collect data regarding
characteristics of a group.

(iv) Quasi experimental Research

A quasi experimental design is one in which experimental and control
(comparison) are present & randomization is not there.

Qualitative :
-follows an inductive research process and involves the collection and analysis
of qualitative (i.e., non-numerical) data to search for patterns, themes, and
holistic features.
-Common qualitative research methods include: content (conceptual) analysis,
focus groups, observations (narrative, comments), interviews, and surveys
(open-ended).
(i)

Historical Research
Systematic collection and objective evaluation of data related to past
occurrences in order to test hypotheses concerning causes, effects, or
trends of these events that may help to explain present events and
anticipate future events.

(ii)

Ethnographic Research
Focuses on the sociology of meaning through close field observation of
sociocultural phenomena. Typically, the ethnographer focuses on a
community.

(iii)

Case study Research

Attempts to shed light on a phenomena by studying in depth a single
case example of the phenomena. The case can be an individual person,
an event, a group, or an institution.

(iv)

Grounded theory Research

Theory is developed inductively from a corpus of data acquired by a
participant-observer.

3. Main steps in carrying out Action Research. (flow chart)

Four stages and then divide each stage into detailed steps and explain.

1) Identify a topic or issue to study

a) Conducting a literature review
b) Developing research questions
2) Collect data related to the chosen topic or issue
a) Observation
b) Interviews or recorded conversations
c) Questionnaires and attitude scales
d) Readily available data
e) Characteristics of data collection in AR
3) Analyse and interpret the collected data
4) Carry out action planning

1. Selecting an area or focus

Identifying an area of interest

Focus on students

Look at both immediate and cumulative effects

2. Collecting data

Collect existing archival data

Use additional multiple data sources

Collect data regularly

Promote collective ownership of data
Monitor data collection

3. Organizing data

Count instances, events, and artifacts

Display data in tables and charts

Arrange data by classroom, grade level, and school

Organize for analysis

4. Analyzing and interpreting data
Analyze and question the data as a professional collective

Decide what can be celebrated and what needs attention

Determine priority area(s) for action

4.5 Studying the professional literature

Identify professional literature that relates to or matches the interest

Gather research reports, research syntheses, articles, videotapes, etc.

Analyze and interpret these materials for understanding and action

Determine the most promising actions

5. Taking action
Combine data analysis with that from professional literature

Select best options for action

Craft short- and long-term action plans

Implement some actions immediately

Assess implementation of selected actions

4. Diagrammatic chart to explain how AR is carried out in cycles. (ppt)

5. Concept map
(i)
Kurt Lewins model of Action Research

The idea of using research in a natural setting to change the way that the
researcher interacts with that setting

(ii)

Stephen Kemmis model of Action Research