Discussion Question #1

Discuss the “5 Why Process” for Problem Identification. Then, using the topic of your choice, work through this process to identify the root cause of the original problem (see template in Appendix C). Discuss what you found with your classmates.

Discussion Question #2

Brainstorm in small groups the many sources of information that should go into your review of relevant literature. Then identify those that would be primary sources and those that would be secondary sources. Which are the most relevant for your review of literature? How will you know whether or not to use a secondary source rather than a primary source?

Discussion Question #3

When searching for related literature in a database such as ERIC, you can select a keyword, title, and/or author. Which is the most convenient for you to use? Which yields the most relevant sources of information? How do you know when your search has been exhausted? Discuss how you will use Boolean operators to broaden or narrow your search. What methods will you use to note keywords you used in your search? How will you code articles that are relevant to your topic?

Discussion Question #4

Analyze how you will use the “funneling effect” to write your literature review. Then create an outline of your topic by beginning with broadly related literature to more similar literature and finally moving to research that is the most closely related to your research topic. Did you include the historical context of your topic? Why or why not? Did you note the trends experienced by your topic? If so, what were they? Did you include how theory has informed practice (or vice versa)? Why or why not? Share your findings with others in your class and ask for feedback. Help others critically evaluate their outlines, as well.