Handout 38
Research questions and appropriate
methodology
Experimental research. Does student centered
language education produce better long term learning results that traditional
language education?
Content analysis research. Are the
descriptions and examples in English language textbooks biased?
Ethnographic research. What goes on in an
English 1-A classroom during a typical week?
Comparative research. Do teachers behave and
talk differently to students of different genders?
Co-relational
research. How can we predict which students might have trouble
learning grammatical concepts using traditional teaching methods?
Survey research. How do parents feel about the
English language programs offered at CCC?
Interview
research. How can an administrator improve faculty motivation?
Characteristics of Good Research Questions
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The question is feasible.
This has to do with things like time, energy, and money.
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The question is clear.
We can easily understand what the question and the problem is.
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The question is significant. It is worth investigating because it will contribute
important knowledge about the human condition.
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The question is ethical.
It will not involve or cause physical or psychological harm or damage
people or the environment.
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Often, but not always:
The questions should investigate a relationship.
This involves two characteristics or qualities.
Is motivation and learning related? |
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Research problems are usually stated as questions |
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There must be some sort of information that can be
collected to answer the question. |
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The question must be feasible, clear, significant and
ethical. |
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If there is a relationship involved, which must be
clearly stated |
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Unclear terms in a question should be addressed by:
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Constructive definitions (dictionary type), using
additional terms to clarify |
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Definition by example - |
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Operational definition – show how examples of a
term may be measured |
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Relationship refers to a connection or association
between characteristics |
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To be valid, a question must have a benchmark or basis by which measurements
or evaluations can be measured. This is often referred to as an instrument or as a
suppositional theory. |
| 1 |
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Question: Will
students who are taught English by a teacher of the same gender like the
subject more than students taught by a teacher of a different gender? |
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Hypothesis:
Students taught English by a teacher of the same gender are no more
likely to like the subject than if they are taught by a teacher of a
different gender. |
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2 |
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Question: Is
rapport between students different with teachers using student centered
education than with those using behavioral modification teaching approaches? |
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Hypothesis: Teachers using student centered
teaching will produce no meaningful difference in rapport with students than
teachers who use behavior modification teaching. |
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3 |
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Question: How
do students feel about their English language instruction program with
regard to quality? |
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Hypothesis: There is no appreciable differences
or concerns with regards to student perceptions of quality in their English
language instruction programs |