Ph D Research Seminar Series Selecting a Research

Ph. D Research Seminar Series: Selecting a Research Topic Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Overview n Research: Process of identifying something unknown and collecting data to make it known. n Selecting a Research Topic n Developing Research Questions

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Choosing a Research Topic 1. Pick a general topic that you are interested in. 2. Determine the focus of your research study n n n Basic: Test a theory Applied: Improve educational practice Extend previous research n n Different population Trends over time 3. Write down the conclusion that you want to make once you are completely finished with your paper.

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Tips for Finding a Research Question n Read journal articles n Read more journal articles. n Future Directions segment of the Discussion section.

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Psychology Basic How does memory work? How does learning occur? Why do people do what they do? (Motivation) Research conducted to test theories and build a foundation of knowledge. Applied How can we use principles of motivation to help our students succeed? What teaching methods can we use to help our students learn more effectively? How can we help our students memorize facts? Research conducted to solve practical human problems.

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Stating Desired Conclusion n Basic: Name of theory has been shown to be incomplete because theory says ______, but my research study has demonstrated the opposite, ______. n Applied: This research study demonstrates that education can be improved by treatment in study because students who received the aforementioned treatment performed better than students in a control group. n Extend: Previous research has demonstrated ____. This research study provides evidence that the previous research cannot be generalized to name of population because ______.

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Developing Research Questions 1. Rephrase the conclusion you want to make into a general research question. 2. Identify your key variables 3. Develop a few more specific research questions that provide the details to your general research question. n ONLY write research questions for the independent and dependent variables in your general research question.

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Developing Research Questions n Do primary students perform differently on quantitative reasoning tasks when presented with numbers or pictures to represent numbers? n Do primary students perform better on a pictorial task of quantitative reasoning or on a matched symbolic task of quantitative reasoning? n Do primary students choose to use a symbolic or a pictorial representation of quantity when solving a quantitative reasoning task? n Can primary students fluently move between pictorial and symbolic representations of quantity?

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Key Variables n Determine Your Independent and Dependent Variables – – – Independent Variable: Any variable that the researcher manipulates in an experiment; proposed cause Dependent Variable: A variable that is being measured in an experiment; the proposed effect; depends on experimental situation NOTE: Correlational studies have two variables; neither are classified as independent or dependent variables

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Key Variables Independent Variable Dependent Variable(s) Treatment What the Treatment Changes Groups What differs Between the Groups

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Key Variables Parental Involvement Counseling Homework Completion Alcohol Consumption Teaching Method Academic Achievement Interest

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Key Variables Academic Achievement Group Adjustment in School Response to Counseling

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Summary n Selecting a Topic 1. Select a general topic 2. Determine the focus 3. Write down the final conclusion you want to make n Developing Research Questions 1. Turn the conclusion into a general research question 2. Identify independent and dependent variables 3. Develop more specific research questions

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Three Questions 1. Has this research question been answered in previous research studies? 2. Will this research study contribute meaningfully to either theory or practice (preferably both)? 3. Using the resources available to me, can I feasibly answer this research question?

Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Concluding Advice n It is better to say one thing with certainty than many things unconvincingly. n The best dissertation is a completed dissertation.