ASSIGNMENT NUMBER 1
Research Criteria and Problem Statements
Objectives
Upon completion of this assignment, you will be able to:
1. Explain the research process.
2. Cite characteristics of the research process.
3. Write sample research problems.
4. Describe considerations in choosing a research problem.
Reading Assignment
- Pyrczak and Bruce, pp. 7-18, 69, and 153-158 (6th edition); pp. 7-18, 69-70, and 147-154 (7th edition); 7-18, 69-79, 147-154 (8th edition).
- Lang and Heiss, pp. 1-10, 12-17 and 69-71.
- Isaac and Michael, pp. 1-5 and 36-38.
- Materials presented on the web.
Evaluation
Successful completion of this assignment can be accomplished by answering the following questions in typed format.
1. Write a brief summary describing the steps of the research process.
2. List and explain five (5) characteristics of the research process.
3. Written below are five problems, each written in a non-operational form. Re-write each of the problems in an operational form.
1. A study of the influences of religious training upon achieving the good life.
2. A study of peoples attitudes toward reduced taxation.
3. A study of employee attitudes toward training.
4. A study of Technical Education in Virginia.
5. A study of Standards of Learning in Virginia.
4. Select any three (3) problems that are of interest to you and write each of them twice; first in a non-operational form and secondly in the corrected operational form.
5. List five specific considerations one should review when choosing a research problem.
STEPS IN PREPARING A RESEARCH INVESTIGATION
1. PROBLEM-ANALYSIS PROCEDURES:
1. Select a problem that engages your attention and begs for a solution.
2. Accumulate the facts that might be related to the problem.
3. Settle by observation whether the facts are relevant.
4. Trace any relationships between facts that might reveal the key to the difficulty.
5. Propose various explanations (hypotheses) for the cause of the difficulty.
6. Ascertain through observation and analysis whether they are relevant to the problem.
7. Trace relationships between explanations that may give an insight into the problem solution.
8. Trace relationships between facts and explanations.
9. Question assumptions underlying the analysis of the problem.
2. EVALUATION OF A PROBLEM:
Personal Considerations
1. Is the problem in line with my goal expectations and the expectations of others?
2. Am I genuinely interested in this problem but free from strong biases?
3. Do I possess or can I acquire the necessary skills, abilities, and background knowledge to study this problem?
4. Do I have access to the tools, equipment, laboratories, and subjects necessary to conduct the investigation?
5. Do I have the time and money to complete it?
6. Can I obtain adequate data?
7. Does the problem meet the scope, significance, and topical requirements of the institution or periodical to which I will submit my report?
8. Can I obtain administrative support, guidance, and cooperation for the conduct of the study?
Social Considerations
1. Will the solution of this problem advance knowledge in the field appreciably?
2. Will the findings be of practical value to educators, parents, social workers, or others?
3. What will be the breadth of the applications of the findings in terms of range of individuals, years of applicability, and areas of coverage?
4. Will the investigation duplicate the work that has been or is being done adequately by someone else?
5. If this topic has been covered, does it need to be extended beyond its present limits?
6. Is the topic sufficiently delimited to permit an exhaustive treatment yet sufficiently significant to warrant investigating it?
7. Will the conclusions of the study be of doubtful value because the tools and techniques available to conduct the inquiry are not adequately refined and sufficiently reliable?
8. Will the study lead to the development of other investigations?
J. Van Dalen and Meyer, Chapter 7.
