Studyportal

In Chapter 4 of Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, Mills (2014) shares that “ the strength of educational research lies in its triangulation, collecting information in many ways rather than relying solely on one” (p. 104).

Complete the Data collection worksheet to include the following:

1. Area of focus statement
2. Brief description of proposed intervention
3. Table

The following table provides a completed sample of:

1. Up to three research questions (you will have between one and three questions for your study).
2. An appropriately aligned data collection tool.
3. An explanation as to how the tool will help you answer your research question.

Research Questions	Data Collection Tool	Why this tool?  Justify its use in your study.  How does it match with what you are attempting to find and to measure?
Will the incorporation of project-based learning improve students’ state assessment scores as it relates to the Common Core State Standards in comprehending non-fiction text?	District Common Assessments (post-test)	This research question requires quantitative data collection.  The answer of this question is either yes, the incorporation improves test scores or no, it does not.  District common assessments, which assess Common Core State Standards as well, can also be used for post-test data.
Will the inclusion of project-based learning improve student application of comprehending non-fiction text at a high depth of knowledge level?	Pretests and post-tests	Pre- and post-tests can give quantitative data to support findings in the examination of the artifacts and with the observations.
How does project-based learning integrate clear expectations and essential criteria and remain successful?	Questionnaires	This question seems to only be able to warrant qualitative data collection because it needs first-hand accounts of what expectations and criteria were used that indicated success.  Questionnaires can give the researcher an opportunity to view how the teachers instill the expectations in the students.

 

For an example of a finished triangulation matrix, see page 105 of Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher.

*Copy and paste the entire document into your discussion post or submit the document as an attachment.

 

Briefly describe the population from which data will be collected from during future implementation of the action research study. View the Belmont Report, Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research. Then watch the following videos*:

*WARNING: The following videos contain strong or potentially offensive language.

1. Obedience to Authority_Stanley Milgram Experiment
2. Feature Film – The Stanford Prison Experiment (Documentary)
3. Apology to survivors of the Tuskegee syphilis experiment 

 According to Mills (2014), “all research studies involve ethical considerations. Therefore, all researchers must be aware of and attend to the ethical considerations related to their studies” (p. 27). Therefore, identify the potential ethical concerns associated with the topic you selected in Week One in collecting the type of data you plan to collect from this particular population. How will you address those ethical concerns when designing your action research project around this topic? Be sure to keep in mind the big three ethical principles: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice, as well as informed consent, assessment of risk, and selection of subjects as discussed in the Belmont Report and to refer to them in your response. Having no ethical considerations is not an option.

 

Week 3 – Assignment

Draft Action Research Plan

Instructions: You will construct the draft of your action research plan using the headings provided in the Content section below. Remember to write clearly and succinctly using active and not passive language and to write in a professional tone.

Content
The assignment needs to include the following areas of content.

• Area of Focus Statement (1 point): In two to three sentences, describe the purpose of your study. Begin by writing a statement that starts with, “The purpose of this study is to…”
• Problem – Interest (.5 points): In half of a page, describe the observations that led to your interest in this action research project (e.g. student interactions, review of data, etc.).
• Problem – Background (1 point): In one page, explain the background or history of the situation in your classroom/school context or work place.
• Problem – Prior Interventions (1 point): In half of a page, explain what you have tried or what others have tried in relation to the problem and what has worked or not worked.
• Participant Description (1 point): In no more than one page, describe each participant selected for this study.
• Participant Justification (1 point): In no more than one page, justify why you are working with these participants in this study.
• Research Questions (1 point): List two to three research questions that are answerable and, if applicable, include a definition following the list for any technical terminology used in the questions.

Written Communication
The assignment needs to adhere to the following areas for written communication.

• Page Requirement (.5 points): The assignment must be four to five pages, not including title and references pages.
• APA Formatting (.5 points): Use APA formatting consistently throughout.
• Syntax and Mechanics (.5 points): Display meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Your written work should contain no errors and be very easy to understand.