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positivism

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idea that we can explain natural phenomenon using science , we can measure phenomenon; "All behaviors and events are orderly and have discoverable causes"

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variables

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factors (internal or external) that might affect the outcomes of study; the particular things that you are examining (i.e. self-efficacy, can be outside influences, canon sounds); characteristic of your study that is subject to change

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hypothesis

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idea that you have going into your research; statement that predicts what will happen

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experimental group

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the group on whom you are carrying out the study, they receive the intervention, treatment.

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control group

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a group of subjects closely resembling the treatment group but not receiving the active factor under study and thereby serving as a comparison group when results are evaluated; must have a control group w/ quantitative; there is no control group in AR; there is no control group in qualititative

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statistical significance

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In statistics, a number that expresses the probability that the result of a given experiment or study could have occurred purely by chance. This number can be a margin of error ("The results of this public opinion poll are accurate to five percent"), or it can indicate a confidence level ("If this experiment were repeated, there is a probability of ninety-five percent that our conclusions would be substantiated").

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collaborative action research

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multiple people working on the same project;

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quantitative research

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collection & analysis of numerical data to describe, explain, predict & control phenomenon

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qualitative research

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uses narrative, descriptive approaches to data collection to understand the way things are and what the research means

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mixed-methods research

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using both qualitative and quantitative data collection

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action research

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systematic inquiry conducted by teachers for themselves about how they teach, how well their students learn; goal is gain reflective practice, effect positive change, improve student outcomes. Should be meaningful to you and address needs of your students. It's persuasive & authoritative, relevant

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national research act of 1974

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act which authorized the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects; this was in response to many of the unethical research that was going on; ethical code and guidelines for researchers; must describe study and take training if you want

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informed consent

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must get permission from participants, must be permission of parents if minor; ensures that

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anonymity

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no identifying features at all; no way to tie the data to a particular person

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confidentiality

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you can tie data to particular person, but data is kept to yourself, no sharing of any identifying features to anyone else; coding can be used to conceal identities

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critical action research

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analyzing power structures with the objective of making teaching and learning better

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postmodernism

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post-positivism. can everything be measured? counter to positivism

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practical Action Research

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action research with a mind to make immediate changes; more focus on "how to" approach

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reconnaissance

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preliminary information gathering; taking time to reflect on you own beliefs to understand the nature and context of your general idea.

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refereed journal/peer-reviewed journal

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articles are reviewed by panel of experts in field; these are more trustworthy articles

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qualitative data collection techniques

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experience, descriptions. allows you to observe & take in the qualities of something. Surveys, observations with field notes. uses narrative, more descriptive approaches to data collection through interviews, recordings, etc.),

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quantitative data

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focuses on controlling variables and uses numbers to quantify the cause-effect relationships

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mixed methods

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uses both quantitative and qualitative research methods

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participant observer

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you both participate and observe. By being a participant you change the environment. This is unavoidable in action research try not to have an impact on the environment you are observing (with AR this is not possible)

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Likert scale

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has statement, then ask someone to agree or disagree with statement, usually has varying degrees of agreement. Have an

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triangulation

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use multiple sources of data. help you make more substantive statements of your discussion, you use of multiple sources of data. helps you see pattern across data sources. You need at least 2

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semantic differential

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use of polar opposite words, students indicate where between the two words their decision/feelings fall. gives quantitative rating

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reliability

answer

Reliability means dependability or trustworthiness. It is the degree to which a test consistently measures whatever it measures. The more reliable a test is, the more confidence one has that the scores obtained are essentially the same scores that would be obtained if the test were re-administered. For action research this means considering whether the data were collected using the same method and if the results would be consistent over time. For Alyson's study, the issue of reliability needed to be tested over time, particularly the teacher-made test and interview questions designed for this short study.

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assent

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is the minor (or person in vulnerable population) who gives permission to participate, but you must also get consent from parent if the person is of vulnerable population

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consent

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giving permission from the participant; or parent gives consent for their child to participate

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freedom from harm

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focused on not exposing students to risks; protecting the participants from any possible type of harm (emotional or physical); involves issues of confidentiality & personal privacy

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area of focus

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o Must involve teaching & learning o Should focus on my own practice o Must be within my locus of control o Must be something I wish to change or improve

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review of literature

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involves systematically identifying, locating, and analyzing documents pertaining to topic. Purpose is to identify info that already exists & find productive research strategies, procedures, and instruments

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field notes

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written records of participant observers

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informal ethnographic interview

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causal conversation that allows teacher in conversational style to inquire into something

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artifacts

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written or visual sources of data that contribute to our understanding of what is happening in classrooms and schools

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validity

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how we know that the data we collect accurately gauge what we are trying to measure. refers to the degree to which scientific observations actually measure or record what they purport to measure

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internal validity

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degree to which observed differences on the dependent variable are a direct result of manipulation of the indpendent variable, not some other variable

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external validity

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degree to which study results are generalizable or applicable to groups and environments outside of research setting

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trustworthiness

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Guba argued that this could be established by addressing the credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability

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credibility

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researchers ability to take into account the complexities that present themselves in a study

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Transferability-

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everything is context-bound; depends on whether the consumer can identify with the setting. To facilitate this researcher should: collect detailed descriptive data & develop detailed descriptions of the context

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dependability

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refers to the stability of the data. to address issues related to this, you should overlap methods (triangulation) & establish an audit trail

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confirmability

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neutrality or objectivity of the data. To do this, practice triangulation and practice reflexivity (reveal underlying assumptions or biases that cause researcher to formulate questions)

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descriptive validity

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factual accuracy

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interpretative validity

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concern researchers have with the meaning attributed to behaviors by the people who have been studied (the participants perspective)

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theoretical validity

answer

ability of research report to explain the phenomenon that has been studied and described

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evaluative validity

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has to do with whether or not the researcher was objective enough to report the data in as unbiased a way as possible

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outcome validity

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requires that the action emerging from a particular study leads to the successful resolution of problem that was being studied

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process validity

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requires that a study has been conducted in a dependable and competent manner

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catalytic validity

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results of your study should be a catalyst for action

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Wolcott's strategies for ensuring validity in AR

answer

-talk little; listen a lot -record & write accurately -begin writing early -let readers see for themselves -report fully -be candid -seek feedback

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reliability

answer

dependability or trustworthiness; the degree to which a test consistently measures whatever it sets out to measure

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what is the difference between reliability and validity?

answer

reliability "is the degree to which a test consistently measures whatever it is measuring" and validity is "the degree to which a test measures what it is supposed to measure"

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generalizability

answer

applicability of findings to settings and contexts different from the one in which they were obtained

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data analysis

answer

SUMMARIZE WHAT'S IN THE DATA in a dependable and accurate manner.

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data interpretation

answer

an attempt by researcher to find meaning in the data, to answer the 'SO WHAT" questions in terms of the implications of the study's findings FINDING MEANING IN THE DATA

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What are some qualitative data analysis techniques?

answer

-identify themes -coding surveys, interviews & questionnaires -analyzing an interview -asking key questions -doing an organizational review -develop a concept map -analyzing antecedents & consequences

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What are some quantitative data analysis techniques?

answer

- descriptive statistics (gives shorthand way of giving lots of info) -count what counts, tally

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what are some qualitative interpretation techniques?

answer

-extend analysis -connect findings with personal experience -seek the advice of critical friends -contextualize findings -share theories about teaching & learning that appear to help make sense of your data -know when to say when

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What are the four steps of the Action Research process?

answer

1) Identify an area of focus 2) Collect data - through surveys, interviews, report cards 3) Analyze and interpret data 4) Develop an action plan

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