Introduction to Research Methodologies SLP

Overview

The Session Long Project (SLP) for this course requires that you complete a matrix in which you align common characteristics of the research process to each research methodology identified (see below). You will also write a narrative essay to accompany this matrix, in which you describe the research characteristics and their applicability to each specific quantitative and qualitative research methodology.

The overall Session Long Project consists of four module assignments. You will complete a portion of the matrix in each module, and also submit a 3- to 4-page accompanying essay for each module.

Successful completion of the Session Long Project will produce a matrix that is completely filled-in with information, and a 12- to 16-page accompanying narrative essay.

Matrix

You must complete the matrix below as you proceed through the course. The Session Long Project assignment will describe the portion of the matrix to be completed each module.

The Matrix can be thought of as a study guide or a handout that can be used as the direction for writing a research paper. Not all of the cells will require a great deal of writing, but if simply writing Dependent or Independent does not explain the relevance, then write what is required. You will not need this in each cell, but provide an explanation in cells as needed for clarity of idea(s). References and citations will be required for some of the cells. Be complete in your work; if you have a future research course or if you were to share the matrix with a friend, could it be used as you have developed it?

	Experimental Research	Correlational Study	Survey Research	Grounded Theory	Ethnogra- phy	Case Study	Narrative Research	Mixed Method	Action Research
Type of Research
Purpose
Example of Research Problem
Type of Research Questions
Type of Variables
Role of Literature Review
Sample Population
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Evaluation of Findings

Submitting Your Assignments

You must submit each module’s SLP assignment (including the progressively completed matrix and accompanying 3- to 4-page essay) at the same time that you submit each module’s Case Assignment.

The following sections will contribute to your overall SLP narrative essay:

Module 1 – Overview of the Research Process (Including: Types of Research and Examples of Research Methodologies)

Module 2 – Research Questions, Variables, and Types of Data

Module 3 – Role of Literature Review in the Research Process

Module 4 – Data Collection and Data Analysis

In Module 4 you will combine all prior SLP module assignments and the new Module 4 assignment, as well as an introduction, conclusion, and bibliography, into one final document.

Each module of the Session Long Project will receive a grade and feedback. The final collated (or “combined”) document will receive a final project grade in Module 4.

SLP Assignment Expectations

Your task for the Module 1 SLP assignment is twofold:

FIRST, fill in the matrix with information pertaining to the following items:

• identify the type of research represented by each methodology listed in the matrix (i.e., quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods)
• describe the purpose of each research methodology listed in the matrix
• provide an example of a research problem for each methodology listed in the matrix

SECOND, write a 3- to 4-page narrative essay in which you address the following items:

• discuss what constitutes a research problem
• compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative research and qualitative research

Requirements:

Include an introductory paragraph within your essay that states the purpose of the Module 1 SLP assignment and informs the reader of the ideas to be discussed.

Follow APA format and style requirements, and include an APA-formatted reference list.

Remember, in Module 4 you will combine all prior SLP module assignments and the new Module 4 assignment, as well as an overall introduction, conclusion, and bibliography, into one final document.

Biddix, P. J. (2009, July 19). What Is Educational Research? Retrieved February 6, 2017, from https://researchrundowns.com/intro/whatisedresearc…

Caruth, G. D. (2013). Demystifying Mixed Methods Research Design: A Review of the Literature. Online Submission, 3(2), 112-122. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?q=Research+Design&ft=on&id=ED…

Matveev, A. V. (2002). The advantages of employing quantitative and qualitative methods in intercultural research: practical implications from the study of the perceptions of intercultural communication competence by American and Russian Managers. Russian Communication Association. Published: Collected research articles, Bulletin of Russian Communication Association “THEORY OF COMMUNICATION AND APPLIED COMMUNICATION”, Issue 1 / Edited by I.N. Rozina, Rostov-on-Don: Institute of Management, Business and Law Publishing, 2002. – 168 p. P. 59-67. Retrieved August 19, 2013, from http://www.russcomm.ru/eng/rca_biblio/m/matveev01_…

Ndunda M. (2004). Introduction to educational research. Retrieved August 19, 2013, from College of Charleston website: http://www.cofc.edu/~ndundam/NOTESSPRING2001/635ch…

Ocean Observatories- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Retrieved September 14, 2015, from http://www.whoi.edu/main/ocean-observatories

Schreiber, Deborah Ph.D. 2012 MAE504 Research Methods in Education ** Available in the Presentations section.

Oliver, P. (2010). Understanding the research process (pp. 67-80) SAGE Publications Ltd.

Optional Reading

Tong, W. K. (2003). The scientific method. Retrieved August 20, 2013, from http://www.oakton.edu/user/~billtong/eas100/scient…

Yahng, L. (Academic). (2017). An introduction to survey research [Video]. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Suter, W. N. (2012). Common non-intervention research designs. In Introduction to educational research: A critical thinking approach (pp. 317-341). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Almazan, E. P. (Academic). (2017). An introduction to descriptive & inferential statistics [Video]. London: SAGE Publications Ltd

Drew, C. J., Hardman, M. L. & Hosp, J. L. (2008). Descriptive statistics. In Designing and conducting research in education(pp. 287-304). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications Ltd.