After making some changes to my problem statement I began to look at some research questions. At first I had a hard time coming up with some questions. I was trying to think of a question that related to my problem statement instead of looking at possible outcomes. I then decided to think about it differently, I tried to think of possible predictions or information I wanted from this research. It was then much easier to formulate some questions about my statement.
The following is my updated problem statement with some possible research questions.
I plan to determine the different in writing scores among sixth graders between those who use word processing to write with and those who use traditional paper and pencil.
Who: Sixth Graders
What: Taught writing with Microsoft Word
Why: Determine the influences of writing software no writing scores.
- How does using word processing software affect student’s standardized test scores?
- Does student writing improved when using word processing software?
- How does the use of word processing software affect the organization in student writing?
- How does the use of word processing software editing and revision in student writing?
- What kinds of technology application training will be provided to the students and educators?
- Will the use of the computer be integrated into writing in everyday settings?
- How will the uses of this technology effect student motivation?
- Are students more inclined to participate in a lesson when technology is used?
- Does the use of technology help students retain the information longer?
It appears that most of my research questions are qualitative by nature. By researching how word processing changes student writing I will be “gathering data on naturally occurring phenomena (Laureate Education, Inc., 2008).” I can also go into more detail by adding that most of my research questions will be interactive in that techniques are collected from my students in the classroom and reviewed to see what, if any, changes occur in their writing.
Phenomenology could also be an effective tool in data collection. By putting aside all preconceived notions about what my possible findings should be, I can then look at writing scores with a specified rubric to review my findings.
As always feel free to provide some input here. Thanks to you all for your posts, once I read through all the research questions it really got my creative juices flowing. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on how to make these better or additional questions you may find interesting.
Paul,
ReplyDeleteI think that you will be able to find a vast amount of information regarding your topic. To be perfectly honest, I found that attempting to identify which type of design that research questions apply to was a very difficult task for me. I am very concrete sequential and found that each questions did not fit nicely into one category. As I look at your questions, they are all very focused and to the point. I would guess that you might have success with a quantitative design, perhaps in the comparative category. You seem to be comparing to sets of groups, one learning through technology and one learning through traditional methods. If you want, in the further study section of your review of literature, you could possibly include questions that apply to different ability levels, how special needs students scores mainstreamed in your class will affect the scores of the group, or even the if students did better with certain projects or activities then they did with others. Although the further study section does not have to be researched at this time, it still needs to be included in our paper. Just a thought. Good Luck!
Kristin
Paul,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, great job, I like your topic and think you'll do fantastic. I'm with Kristin, and I posted something on her blog about this as well... I've been struggling with this course so much, and this week in particular gave me fits, because there is no way that my questions fit nicely into one category, and I think that's the case for most of us, don't you? I mean, I know what I need to do and how to go about my research, I just can't find the proper slot to make it fit with what we read this week. With that said, it does look like you'll be using comparative design, but maybe with some secondary data analysis thrown into the mix as well.
Great job, as always, and good luck!
I am definitely right there with all of you. I am the type of person who wants things to "fit" into their proper categories, and like you said, Cesar, they just aren't! Perhaps we are over-analyzing!
ReplyDeletePaul, you have some excellent questions here. I particularly like the one about training for the students and educators, which I think should be happening so much more often in schools regardless! Keep up the great work!
Fantastic Questions Paul,
ReplyDeleteYou are right our problem statements are very similar. It would be interesting to see results between the two different grades. :). I liked the way you "think out of the box" --- looking for the prediction or information you wanted. WTG!
Keep up the good work!
Dawn
Paul,
ReplyDeleteI think you have a great topic. Why didn't I think of that.... Your questions are focused and as everyone else has said they "fit" into categories. I have been struggling with modifying my problem statement and coming up with the right questions and I am to the point that I have decided to leave my problem statement alone and add more questions or ask them in a different way. I sure hope I am going about this in the right direction.
I would love to read your results. Writing scores seem to be a very hot topic at my school. We are always trying to find different way to improve our students scores or ways to motivate them to want to write better.
Good Luck!
Gayla