Holzweiss, P. C., Joyner, S. A., Fuller, M. B., Henderson, S., & Young, R. (2014). Online graduate students’ perceptions of best learning experiences. Distance Education, 35(3), 311-323.
In the Holzweiss, Joyner, Fuller, Henderson & Young study, the researchers sampled graduate students. Please read the entire study with a focus on the sample and the sampling practices. Consider the study from two perspectives.
First, analyze the study itself as it was conducted. Consider the information in Chapter 5 regarding sampling and apply that information to an analysis of the sample in the Holzweiss study. This is a qualitative study, so be sure to consider the issues related to sampling in qualitative research as you analyze this sampling procedure.
Second, after you have discussed the sampling procedures, consider what sampling procedure you might use if you were to design this study as a quantitative study. What choices would you make regarding your population; what would be your target population? How would you select your sample? What size sample would you want to identify? How would you avoid sampling error and bias?
As a student of research, it is very important that you understand independent and dependent variables.
Consider the following research question: Are there differences between rural and urban children’s attitudes regarding diversity?
If you were to be analyzing this question for a research study, you would need to consider the following:
The dependent variable is attitudes regarding diversity.
The independent variable is type of children and it has two levels, rural and urban.
In this example several variables need to be operationalized. Let’s start with the dependent variable. Attitudes regarding diversity could be racial or ethnic diversity, it could be diversity related to being from elsewhere, or living differently. To develop this topic diversity would have to be operationally defined.
In this example we also need to operationalize rural and urban. This might be done with population statistics.
Children would also need to be operationalized. A small child’s attitude regarding diversity versus a middle-school child’s, or a teenager’s might be very different constructs.
Please carefully read Chapter 6 so that you understand independent and dependent variables.
Then please
· write a research question such as the one above;
· identify your independent and dependent variables related to that research question;
· provide operational definitions of your variables
EACH QUESTION SHOULD BE AT LEAST 300 WORDS
Education Research
Action research that is undertaken in a continuous manner provides many valuable benefits. Schools have long since attempted to address classroom disruptions by those deemed to be students with problem behaviors (). However, through action research, the schools can benefit from evidence based research and findings, which can then be applied in the classroom. As the researcher applies these tactics and approaches, feedback and interventions introduced as improvements can be reported upon, so as to provide useful information to future educators. This will prevent students from being excluded (Singer & Butler, 1987) and allow the teacher to address such classroom disruptions, instead of soliciting or introducing new elements such as the principle, parents, or school counselors.
The action research of what has been learned through study in this semester will provide numerous benefits that improve overall student learning. This will occur because educators will be able to affect real and positive change in the lives of their students, even those deemed as being disruptive, based on past standards of evaluation. As such, implementation of this action research will allow for creation of best practices that include skills and training for teachers that will enable them to intervene with these children early on, as opposed to waiting till many of the issues have manifested to concerning levels,
Most importantly, the aim of educational institutions and educators, to allow the best possible environment for the students to learn, develop, and grow, and through it, meet their full potential, will be realized. This approach through implementation of action research will improve the classroom environment for all students, but will especially lower barriers to learning faced by those students, that have been deemed as disruptive.
References
Singer, J., & Butler, J. (1987). The education for all handicapped children act: Schools as agents of social reform. Harvard Educational Review, 57(2), 125-153.
The action research of what has been learned through study in this semester will provide numerous benefits that improve overall student learning. This will occur because educators will be able to affect real and positive change in the lives of their students, even those deemed as being disruptive, based on past standards of evaluation. As such, implementation of this action research will allow for creation of best practices that include skills and training for teachers that will enable them to intervene with these children early on, as opposed to waiting till many of the issues have manifested to concerning levels,
Most importantly, the aim of educational institutions and educators, to allow the best possible environment for the students to learn, develop, and grow, and through it, meet their full potential, will be realized. This approach through implementation of action research will improve the classroom environment for all students, but will especially lower barriers to learning faced by those students, that have been deemed as disruptive.
References
Singer, J., & Butler, J. (1987). The education for all handicapped children act: Schools as agents of social reform. Harvard Educational Review, 57(2), 125-153.