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TOPIC 1 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS IN EDUCATION

1.1 Synopsis

This course is about carrying out action research for Primary Education. It is an introduction to a

variety of research methods in educational research, purpose and features of research,

quantitative and qualitative approaches and ethics in educational research that describes the

important aspects of education and code of ethics.

1.2 Learning Outo!es

 At the end of this topic, you will be able to:

. describe research in education

!. describe the characteristics of research in education

". discuss the approaches to research in education

#. e$plain the ethical aspects of research in education

1." Coneptua# $ra!e%or&

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Intro'ution to Resear(

Met(o'o#ogy in E'uation

%haracteristics of &esearchPurpose of &esearch

 Approach to &esearch in

education

Ethical aspects of &esearch

in education

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1.) Intro'ution to Resear( Met(o's in E'uation

&esearch in education can be defined as the process of acquiring new 'nowledge through the

collection of data and information to solve problems in education and subsequently used to

improve the practice and quality of education.

1.).1 Purpose o* Resear( in E'uation

 Action research has three purposes:

a. to improve understanding of the practice and the practical situation(

b. to involve researchers in all stages of research.

c. to study the behaviour patterns of students, teachers, administrators, and school employees,

or educational institutions.

.#.! %haracteristics of &esearch in Education:

a. To encourage involvement )participation to improve the quality of wor')practice

b. To encourage a collaborative effort between the involved parties

c. To have a systematic process of learning

d. To develop a community that is critical of their environment and themselves

e. To encourage open*mindednes

f. To enhance the development of theory and practice simultaneously

g. To form a community of critical thin'ers who wor' collaboratively in the research

process

h. To enhance one+s self*reflective spiral a spiral containing surveys, planning, action

and observation as well as reflection

i. To get researchers involved by 'eeping records or personal -ournal

 -. To begin small begin with an individual then involve a small group which later

develops into a larger group

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 1.)." Resear( Approa(es in E'uation

.#.". Positivist Approach quantitative/

Positivism or empirical analysis is a philosophy that embodies the genuine or authentic

'nowledge based on only actual e$periences. 0etaphysical speculation cannot be ta'en into

account. This philosophy underpins the theory of behaviourism which only ta'es into account

behaviour that can be observed A'hiar Pardi and 1hamsina 1hamsudin, !2!/.

3uantitative research is the systematic scientific study on quantitative characteristics and

phenomena as well as the relationship between the two based on a hypothesis or theory. The

purpose of quantitative research is to develop and use mathematics models, theories and

hypotheses relevant and appropriate to the natural phenomenon.

4ata are collected and analysed in order to e$plain, anticipate and control the phenomenon that

is being studied. The current situation will be clarified, investigated, triangulated with quantitative

data, and the causes as well as impacts on education will be reviewed.

%haracteristics of quantitative research:

a. The data collected is evaluated using statistical analysis represented by number

b. Aimed to test a hypothesis using a formal procedure

c. The use of control to minimise factors that may affect the findings

d. Enlisting a large group of sub-ects research participants/

e. An ob-ective research

f. The use of writing instruments for answering questionnaires etc.

g. 5sing a deductive approach

.#.".! Interpretive approach qualitative/

3ualitative research is a method of inquiry that is employed in a variety of academic disciplines,

traditionally in the social sciences, including the study of mar'eting. It began in the social and

behavioural sciences: sociology, anthropology and psychology. The purpose of qualitative

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research is to see' a deeper understanding of human behaviours and the reasons that cause

these behaviours.

3ualitative research studies why and how decisions are made, not -ust what, how and when

they are made. 3ualitative research is used to gain insight about human behaviour, perceptions,

value systems, caring attitudes, motivation, aspirations, culture and lifestyle. A'hiar Pardi and

1hamsina 1hamsudin, !2!/

%haracteristics of qualitative research:

a. Aim: to see' understanding in our interpretration of a particular phenomenon

b. The real world is perceived as dynamic, and changes according to human perceptions

c. %ontrol values: values that have visible effect which should be understood and ta'en intoaccount when conducting and reporting research

d. 6olistic focus: an overview

e. 7rientation of discovery: theory and hypotheses developed from the data collected

f. 1ub-ective data: data is based on human perception of the environment

g. Instrumentation: man is the main tool to get information

h. The analysis is done inductively

.#.# Ethics in Educational &esearch

Ethics in educational research is related to the researcher+s conduct and how researchers

associate or treat samples during the research. It is associated with the norms and standards of

behaviours to be observed by the researchers.

.#.#. The important aspects of ethics in research

There are three important aspects of ethics in research :

a. To e$ercise professional wor' with integrity and sincerity, so as not to -eopardise future

  research

b. To respect the rights and dignity of all those involved and accept the outcomes of the

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  research

c. To ensure the physical, social and psychological well being of those who participate or those

who will be affected by the outcomes of the research

.#.#.! %ode of ethics

&esearchers must respect the personal rights of research participants. &esearchers need to

build a good rapport with a person or group before they -oin the research. The code of ethics is:

a. to conduct research with professional integrity

b. to respect the rights and dignity of participants by getting their consent

c. to appreciate their time and effort

d. to consult the communities involved

e. to ensure the participants are informed

f. to maintain cordial relations with research participants after the study is completed

g. privacy

%onclusion

This chapter describes the general bac'ground of research which begins with the conte$tual

setting, showing strengths and wea'nesses in research. 1imilarly, there are definitions with

almost similar meanings given by prominent researchers. The main approaches discussed are

qualitative and quantitative approaches. 8oth require a certain etiquette that must be observed

by the researchers.

9rite a summary of the meanings of research based on the views of prominent researchers.

%reate a table showing the differences between qualitative and quantitative approaches. 1end

to your lecturers through 7 or email.

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