Finding a research question…
Christian SpannagelUniversity of Education Heidelberg
[email protected]://cspannagel.wordpress.com
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Wrong way
data question??
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Better
question data answermethod analysis????
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Finding a research question…
question theme
personalinterests andexperiences
literatureand
theory
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Example 1: Paul
Paul
interests experiences
context
teachingalgebra
teachingmethods
calculating with fractionsis difficult
Individual differencesare challenging
geometry
teacher secondary school
How can students be supported learning to calculcate with fractions?
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Example 1: Paul
How can students be supported learning to calculcate with fractions?
Literature review
Visual / verballearners?
Using enactive models?
Worked examples?
Can visual learners be supported by images of fractions?
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Example 1: Paul
How can students be supported learning to calculcate with fractions?
Can visual learners be supported by images of fractions?
Theme: Learning how to calculate with fractions – Visual support for visual learners
Method: Experiment
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Example 2: Anne
Anne
interests experiences
context
computer
biology
teachers do notcooperate in her school
Students and productiveuse of computers
statistics
teacher 30 new laptops in herschool
How can laptops be established in her school?… for mathematics? … and biology?
How can laptops be established in her school,especially for interdisciplinary projects?
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Example 2: Anne
Literature review
Computers inschools…
Interdisciplinarylearning
statisticseducation
How can laptops be established in her school,especially for interdisciplinary projects?
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Example 2: Anne
Theme: Interdisciplinary projects with computers in aMozambican secondary school – an action research project
Developing and testing conceptMethods: Questionnaires for
- students- teachers
How can laptops be established in her school,especially for interdisciplinary projects?
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Finding a research question…
Personal interests
Literaturereview
ResearchQuestion
Two parallel ideas?
Throwing an idea away, beginning from scratch…
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And now…
interests experiences
context
Research Question (first idea)