Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary aim of educational action research?
What is the primary aim of educational action research?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of action research?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of action research?
How does action research differ from common problem-solving activities?
How does action research differ from common problem-solving activities?
Which term is synonymous with educational action research?
Which term is synonymous with educational action research?
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What role do participants play in the action research process?
What role do participants play in the action research process?
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What is notable about the goals of action research?
What is notable about the goals of action research?
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What is the essence of the action research process?
What is the essence of the action research process?
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What does educational action research promote among participants?
What does educational action research promote among participants?
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What is the primary purpose of stating the background in a research proposal?
What is the primary purpose of stating the background in a research proposal?
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What distinguishes a research problem from a vague feeling of inadequacy?
What distinguishes a research problem from a vague feeling of inadequacy?
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Why is it important to review related literature before stating the research problem?
Why is it important to review related literature before stating the research problem?
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What should a well-structured statement of the problem include?
What should a well-structured statement of the problem include?
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In which scenario is the background description especially crucial?
In which scenario is the background description especially crucial?
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How does a problem statement contribute to the research proposal?
How does a problem statement contribute to the research proposal?
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What role does historical context play in the background description?
What role does historical context play in the background description?
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Which of the following is an example of a poorly structured problem statement?
Which of the following is an example of a poorly structured problem statement?
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Which of the following is a necessary condition for a research problem to be considered feasible?
Which of the following is a necessary condition for a research problem to be considered feasible?
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What aspect does not belong to McMillan's criteria for evaluating a research problem?
What aspect does not belong to McMillan's criteria for evaluating a research problem?
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Which source is NOT mentioned as a common source for beginning the process of problem formation?
Which source is NOT mentioned as a common source for beginning the process of problem formation?
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How does a theory serve in the formation of a research problem?
How does a theory serve in the formation of a research problem?
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Which of the following reflects a clear and specific research problem?
Which of the following reflects a clear and specific research problem?
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What is a critical implication of using theory in research problem formulation?
What is a critical implication of using theory in research problem formulation?
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Which question would help determine if a research problem is important?
Which question would help determine if a research problem is important?
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What type of research problem can arise from replication of previous studies?
What type of research problem can arise from replication of previous studies?
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What is the primary focus of Chapter Two in a research study?
What is the primary focus of Chapter Two in a research study?
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What step involves specifying the range of years or relevant publications in Chapter Two?
What step involves specifying the range of years or relevant publications in Chapter Two?
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Which component is NOT typically included in the summary of Chapter Two?
Which component is NOT typically included in the summary of Chapter Two?
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What is a key guideline when selecting sources for the literature review?
What is a key guideline when selecting sources for the literature review?
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Why is it important to consider both seminal works and recent studies in Chapter Two?
Why is it important to consider both seminal works and recent studies in Chapter Two?
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What is NOT a recommended strategy when conducting a comprehensive search for literature?
What is NOT a recommended strategy when conducting a comprehensive search for literature?
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How is the literature organized for a review in Chapter Two?
How is the literature organized for a review in Chapter Two?
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What aspect of Chapter Two's structure may vary depending on research requirements?
What aspect of Chapter Two's structure may vary depending on research requirements?
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What is the primary purpose of the research design in a study?
What is the primary purpose of the research design in a study?
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Which of the following best defines the population in research?
Which of the following best defines the population in research?
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Why is defining a representative sample important in research?
Why is defining a representative sample important in research?
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What should a researcher do if the entire target group is not accessible for a study?
What should a researcher do if the entire target group is not accessible for a study?
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How is sample size related to the credibility of research results?
How is sample size related to the credibility of research results?
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Which sampling method is characterized by every individual having an equal chance of selection?
Which sampling method is characterized by every individual having an equal chance of selection?
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What is the minimum sample size needed for statistical analysis according to the guidelines provided?
What is the minimum sample size needed for statistical analysis according to the guidelines provided?
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When conducting a survey, what percentage of a very large population is typically adequate?
When conducting a survey, what percentage of a very large population is typically adequate?
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Study Notes
Educational Action Research
- Educational action research is a systematic, reflective approach aimed at improving educational practices.
- It consists of a cyclical process: planning, acting, observing, and reflecting to enhance teaching and learning outcomes.
- Focuses on solving specific problems encountered by practitioners in local settings.
- Practitioners conduct this research after understanding relevant research methods from academic literature.
- Encourages collaborative, democratic strategies to examine community issues and develop solutions.
- Variants of action research include participatory research, collaborative inquiry, emancipatory research, action learning, and contextual action research.
- Central idea: "learning by doing" – identify a problem, implement a solution, evaluate effectiveness, and adjust as necessary.
Feasibility of Research Problems
- Research problems must be feasible; key considerations include:
- Funding availability for the study.
- Adequate time to complete the research within existing program deadlines.
- Researcher’s understanding of required research design and statistical methods.
- Criteria for evaluating a research problem (McMillan, 1996):
- Is the problem researchable?
- Is it significant for understanding the issues?
- What type of research does it indicate?
- Specified target population?
- Defined variables of interest?
- Is the problem clearly articulated?
Sources of Research Problems
- Research topics can emerge from multiple sources:
- Theory: Implications of theories in educational practice.
- Experience: Personal or professional experiences relevant to the problem.
- Literature: Prior studies or literature can highlight knowledge gaps.
- External sources/expert ideas: Insights from educational experts.
- Replication of previous studies: Verification of earlier research findings.
Theory in Research
- Theories provide general explanations of behaviors and phenomena.
- Can be used to formulate applicable educational research problems or refine existing theories.
- Background to the problem should succinctly explain the specific issue and its relevance to the literature.
Statement of the Problem
- A precise statement directly follows the background description, outlining the problem addressed in the study.
- Defines the scope of the research and articulates key variables and their relationships.
- Examples include attitudes towards assessments or educational policies.
Chapter Two: Literature Review Guidelines
- Define the scope of the review and the main themes.
- Specify the timeframe for relevant literature considered.
- Conduct a comprehensive search using academic databases and appropriate keywords.
- Evaluate the credibility of selected sources based on publication standards and relevance.
- Organize the literature by emerging themes or theories.
Chapter Three: Research Design
- Describes the overall research design (e.g., experimental, correlational, case study).
- Justifies the chosen design in relation to research questions and objectives.
Population and Sampling
- The target group consists of elements conforming to specific criteria for generalization of research results.
- Examples include all teachers in a defined geographical area.
- If not all subjects are accessible, an accessible population must be defined.
- Sample selection is critical for generalizability; representative sampling is essential.
- Recommended sample size for statistical analysis is typically 30 or more.
- Sampling methods may be probability-based (e.g., simple random sampling) or non-probability based.
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Description
Explore the foundational concepts of educational action research in this quiz. Learn how this systematic approach can enhance teaching practices and address specific educational challenges through reflective inquiry. Engage with the cyclical process of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting to improve educational outcomes.