Research, in general, is important to how we function as a successful and productive society.
The primary goal of virtually any research study is to find answers to our questions.
Typical sources for answering our questions (i.e., tradition, authority, and common sense) usually fall short in helping us find those answers.
The scientific method is a systematic, step-by-step strategy used to answer questions and resolve problems.
The main steps in the scientific method are as follows:
Clarify the main question inherent in the problem.
State a hypothesis.
Collect, analyze, and interpret information (i.e., data) related to the question.
Form conclusions derived from the interpretations of the analyses.
Use the conclusions to verify or reject your hypothesis.
Educational research is a process that involves applying the scientific method to educational problems and phenomena.
As a process, all educational research studies share the following characteristics:
Scientific
Begin with a question or problem that serves as the purpose or goal of the study
Require the formulation of a specific plan for conducting the actual research
Require the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data to answer the question under investigation
Tend to be cyclical, or helical, as opposed to linear
Inquisitive, objective, and original
Should be beneficial, meaningful, and significant
Do not have predetermined outcomes
Do not involve simply the gathering of information
Not conclusive
Not trivial
Educational research relies on either deductive or inductive reasoning.
Deductive reasoning works from more general, broad ideas and observations to the more specific, in a top-down manner; it is commonly used in quantitative research studies.
Inductive reasoning works from specific observations toward the development of much broader conclusions or generalizations; it is commonly used with qualitative research studies.
Data are collected on variables, and those data are analyzed to test hypotheses or answer research questions.
Research designs describe the plan to be used by the researcher to carry out the actual study.
Quantitative research designs can be either experimental or nonexperimental.
Nonexperimental designs include studies that are descriptive, comparative, correlational, or causal-comparative.
Experimental designs allow the researcher to have some degree of control over some variables; they involve the identification of independent and dependent variables, as well as experimental and control groups of participants.
Qualitative research designs involve a broader, more holistic approach to collecting and analyzing data.
Triangulation, or polyangulation, is a process of relating multiple sources of data to verify their trustworthiness, accuracy, and consistency.
Qualitative designs include phenomenological, ethnographic, grounded theory, and case study research.
Mixed-methods research designs, along with action research, typically involve the collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data.
The main steps in the process of conducting educational research are as follows:
Identification of an existing problem
Clarification of the specific problem
Formulation of research question(s)
Development of data collection procedures
Specification of data analysis procedures
Statement of the findings resulting from data analysis
Development of conclusions and recommendations related to the question(s)
Becoming familiar with your field of study by reading research articles is one of the best ways to begin your future as an educational researcher or consumer of research.
Some of the most meaningful and beneficial research in education results from studies conducted by practicing educators.
