Descriptive Method Of Research (1)

8/7/2019 Descriptive Method Of Research (1)

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Group 2


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` Can involve collecting quantitative information

` Can describe categories ofqualitative information

such as patterns of interaction when usingtechnology in the classroom.

` Doesnot fit neatly into either category


3/25

` Involvesgathering data that describeeventsand

then organizes, tabulates, depicts,and describes

the data.

` Uses descriptionasa tool to organize data intopatterns that emerge duringanalysis.

` Often usesvisual aidssuch asgraphsand charts

to aid the reader


4/25

` What is the best way to provideaccess to

computerequipment inschools?` Do teachers hold favorableattitudes toward

using computers inschools?

` What have been the reactions ofschool

administrators to technological innovations inteaching?


5/25

` Refers to thenature of the research question

` The design ofthe research

` The way that data will beanalyzed for the topic

that will be researchedThe type ofresearch question will determine

whether descriptive research approach is

appropriate to use.


6/25

` Educational research and

experiences may contain

manyvariables that

cannot be realistically

controlled.

` Educational research

may require observations

of lifeexperiences

` Data collection may be

spread overa large

number ofpeople overa

largegeographic area


7/25

Surveys Interviews

Observations Portfolios


8/25

` May be used to reveal

summarystatistics by

showing responses to all

possible questionnaire

items.

` Often provide leads in

identifyingneeded

changes

` May be used to explore

relationships between 2

or morevariables.


9/25

` Written questionnaires

` Personal interviews

` Telephone interviews

Factors to be considered

` Sampling

` Type ofpopulation

` Question Form

` QuestionContent

` Response rates

` Costs

` Availablefacilities

` Length ofdata collection

` Computerassisted techniques

for data collection


10/25

` More timeefficient

` Allow the researcher to establish a rapport withthe respondent

` Allow theacquisition ofmore in-depth information

` Allow for interviewer observation

` Allow the interviewer to obtainvisual cues

` May be personal or telephone interviews


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Disadvantages

` Require morestafftime` Require more travel time


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Advantages

Lessexpensive

Less time-consuming

Disadvantages

Limited telephoneaccess

Lack of interviewers

ability to observe the

respondent and obtain

visual cues


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Advantages

Ability to reach largenumber

ofpeopleacrossa wide

geographic area

Easeand low cost ofdistribution

Minimal amount ofstaff

required

Allows respondents to respond

in their timeframe

Disadvantages

Lower response rate

Need to designasurvey

instrument with asimple

format


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` A letter of transmittal should accompany mailed

questionnaires.

` Should state purposeand importance ofresearch

` Should state importance ofresponding

` Should givea timeframe to respond

` Should includea confidentialitystatement

` Should includean offer to share results

` Should includea thank-you note to the respondent


15/25

` Good questioning techniques

` Use completesentences

` Offera limited set ofanswers

` Interesting` Worded so that questions mean thesame to all

` Provide definitionsfor confusing terms

` Uses the I dont know answervery carefully


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1. Naturally occurring behaviors observed innatural

contexts

2. Contexts that are contrived to be realistic


17/25

` Require direct observation ofbehavior

` Datagathered without intermediary instruments

` Canyield a wealth of invaluable information

` Can bea complicated process


18/25

` Can beemployed productively to support many

purposes ineducational technology

` Can be used to determine how people interact

with technology invariousstages ofdesignandimplementation


19/25

` How do learners interact with aspecific program?

` How do learners interact with anew hardwaresystem?

Observation makes it possible to explore theimplementation ofa particular technological innovation

and assess the instructional outcomes.


20/25

` 2 Forms ofObservational Research Structured

Unstructured


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Structured Observations

Rigid and controlled

Predetermined methods

Unstructured Observations

Used to determine unselective,

detailed, continuous

description ofbehavior.

Detects unintended effects More time consuming because

oftimeand labor required to

collect and analyzesets of

extensive observations


22/25

` Providea descriptive measure ofstudent work

based onactual performance

` Consist of learner-created products that reflect the

processes of learningand development over time


23/25

` Although descriptivestudiesare important, most

educational studies involve questionsabout

cause. W

hat causes underachievement? Will multimedia causestudents to be more motivated or

lead to high achievement levels?


24/25

` Not alwayseasy to isolatevariable that will explain

those causes,so descriptive research can playan

important role in providing informationfrom

another perspective.` Bygathering descriptions ofwhat is and

comparing them to what we would like educators

cansee thearea that needs to beaddressed.


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` DescriptiveResearch methods havegained

acceptance

` Number ofdescriptivestudies published in

research journals has increased` Descriptive research leads to prescriptions that

instructional designersand educators can heed as

they considerfuture direction

Descriptive Method Of Research (1)

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