Chapter 1

The Process of Conducting Research

John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Copyright 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved.

What Is Research?
The researcher Asks a question. Collects data. Indicates how the data answered the question.
John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition Copyright 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved.

1.2

A Definition of Research

Research is a process or steps used to collect and analyze information in order to increase our understanding of a topic or issue.

John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Copyright 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved.

1.3

Importance of Research
1: Research adds to our knowledge.
Addresses gaps in knowledge Expands knowledge Replicates knowledge

2: Research helps improve practice.

3: Research helps inform policy debates.

John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Copyright 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved.

1.4

Problems with Research

Contradictory or vague findings Questionable data Unclear statements about the intent of the study Lack of full disclosure of the data collection procedure Poor execution of research problem

John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Copyright 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved.

1.5

The Process of Research

Identify the Research Problem Report and Evaluate Research Analyze and Interpret Data Collect Data
John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Review the Literature

Specify a Research Purpose

Copyright 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved.

1.6

1. Identify the Research Problem

Specify a problem Justify a problem Suggest a need to study the problem for audiences

John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Copyright 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved.

1.7

2. Review the Literature

Locate resources
Books Journals Electronic resources

Select resources
Determine the relevant resources for the topic Organize the resources by developing a Literature Map

Summarize the resources in a literature review

John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition Copyright 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved.

1.8

3. Specify a Research Purpose

Identify the purpose statement
The major intent of the study The participants in the study The site of the study

Narrow the purpose statement

Quantitative: Write research questions and/or hypothesis Qualitative: Identify a central phenomenon and write sub-questions
John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition Copyright 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved.

1.9

4. Collect Data
Determine the data collection method Select the individuals to study Design data collection instruments and outline data collection procedures Obtain permissions Gather data

John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Copyright 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved.

1.10

5. Analyze and Interpret Data

Take the data apart to look at individual responses Represent the data in tables, figures, and pictures Explain conclusions from the data that address the research questions

John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Copyright 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved.

1.11

6. Report and Evaluate Research

Report research
Determine the audience for the report Structure the report Write the report sensitively and accurately

Evaluate research
Assess the quality of research using recognized standards in a discipline Standards can come from the academic community, school districts, or federal or state agencies
John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition Copyright 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved.

1.12

Ethical Considerations in Research

Respect the rights of the participants Honor the requests and restrictions of the research site Report the research fully and honestly

John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Copyright 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved.

1.13

Skills Needed for Research

Curiosity to solve puzzles Long attention span Library and computer resource skills Writing and editing skills

John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Copyright 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved.

1.14