Research in Education Overview

Research in Education

• Tertiary education contributes to solving issues and driving progress
• Tertiary education reveals unknown facts, new ideas, and discovers new truths
• Research is a structured sequence of steps leading to new concepts
• Research carefully investigates to add new knowledge
• Research uses tested methods and tools to find solutions to problems

Characteristics of Research

• Research follows a structured system (macro/micro) in organizing its chapters and elements
• Research requires an objective approach, avoiding personal biases in design, methods, and analysis
• Research should be realistic considering time, resources, and the scope of the topic
• Findings in research must be based on evidence with proper citations and validation of sources
• Variables and language in research must be explained and free from errors
• The research process should be repeatable, yielding the same results upon repetition
• Results from research should be true, not manipulated and applicable to real-world situations
• Research must use validated tools to ensure correctness and eliminate errors
• Findings should be applicable to larger populations beyond the study's sample
• Insignificant variables should be managed to maintain accuracy, especially in experimental research

Research Paradigm

• A research paradigm serves as a guiding framework for conducting research
• Research problem identifies real-life issues and seeks to address knowledge gaps
• Research questions can be quantitative (how much/extent) or qualitative (what/why/how)
• Hypotheses are potential answers to research questions
• Theoretical framework is the underlying theory of the research
• Conceptual framework explores specific concepts and variables

Research Methodology

• Review of Literature analyses existing knowledge and identifies gaps
• Research Approach and Design defines how to collect and analyze data
• Data Collection outlines participants, variables, and data gathering methods
• Data Analysis interprets the data to answer research questions
• Conclusion summarizes key findings, addresses hypotheses, and provides new insights into the research problem

Roles of the Researcher

• The Principal Investigator leads the study, overseeing all aspects
• A member of a research team collaborates with others in the research process
• Researchers identify researchable problems
• Researchers evaluate research findings and interpret research results
• Researchers apply research outcomes in practical contexts
• Researchers ensure participants’ rights and welfare during the study
• Researchers can act as a research participant in certain cases

Importance of Research

• Research provides a basis for methodologies ensuring informed and safe applications
• Research drives productivity and improvement by advancing and replacing outdated systems
• Research creates reliable tools for evaluating effectiveness in areas like psychological and IQ tests
• Research offers solutions for everyday issues in various fields
• Research ensures decisions are based on solid evidence improving outcomes
• Research helps refine teaching methods and practices ensuring effective educational techniques

Research Designs

• Experimental Design: the researcher manipulates one or more variables to determine their effects on a situation, typically controlling for other factors
• Explanatory Design: focuses on problems where little prior research exists. It gathers information to provide insights that will be useful in future research on the same topic
• Cohort Design: studies a group of people with shared characteristics over time. The researcher tracks how these individuals are influenced by certain factors, allowing insights into cause-and-effect relationships or the progression of changes relevant to the research
• Cross-Sectional Design: examines a diverse group of individuals at a specific point in time. The researcher seeks to identify how a specific variable or event affects this large, varied group. This design is often used to gather data quickly and compare different population segments
• Longitudinal Design: follows the same group of individuals over an extended period, tracking changes to see how long-term factors affect the group. It can help establish the causality and duration of impacts
• Sequential Design: conducts research in stages, often using different groups of people in each phase. It can be combined with cohort or cross-sectional designs to gather data incrementally, refining the focus after each stage if necessary
• Mixed-Method Design: combines both qualitative and quantitative methods, providing a more comprehensive view of the research problem. This design allows for the collection of diverse data to thoroughly explore and validate hypotheses from multiple perspectives

Qualitative Research

• Qualitative research focuses on understanding concepts, experiences, and underlying reasons. It involves non-numerical data like interviews, observations, and case studies
• Qualitative research is used to explore deeper meanings, behaviors, or phenomena in their natural contexts

Quantitative Research

• Quantitative research involves numerical data to quantify variables and draw statistical conclusions
• Quantitative research measures the extent of a phenomenon, often testing hypotheses and providing measurable evidence through experiments, surveys, and structured observations

Qualitative Research Types

• Phenomenological Study: focusses on understanding individual experiences of a particular phenomenon, capturing personal perceptions and emotions
• Ethnographic Study: involves immersing in a community to understand cultural practices and interactions
• Historical Study: analyzes past events using documents, artifacts, and oral reports to understand their relevance today
• Case Study: provides an in-depth examination of an individual, group, or institution to offer insights into broader issues
• Grounded Theory Study: develops theories by comparing data to identify relationships between categories
• Narrative Analysis: analyses personal life stories to extract patterns and themes, focusing on chronology and meaning

Research in Daily Life

• Research is a systematic process of discovering new ideas or validating existing knowledge, aiming to improve quality of life
• Research aims to verify existing knowledge, acquire new knowledge, apply new knowledge, and advance the researcher’s expertise
• Research explores unknown areas and issues, describes and documents phenomena, and analyzes causes, relationships, and underlying principles.