Experimental research uses methods originally applied in the physical and biological sciences. In most experiments, the following procedures are used: A sample of subjects is selected, they are assigned randomly to experimental and control groups, and a treatment is administered to the experimental group only. The two groups are then evaluated on the basis of the dependent variable and the consequence of the independent variable. The latter is the presumed cause of the dependent variable. Here is an example of an experimental design. The researcher randomly assigns 200 fourth graders to ten classrooms. Five of those classes are randomly selected, and they are given a new program on ethics; the other five classes are given no program at all. At the end of the school year, both groups are administered a measure that assesses their attitudes about and knowledge of ethics. Statistical techniques are used to analyse the results. #methodology #Experimentalresearch #dissertation #researchsupport

A quasi-experimental design is one that follows the general procedures of experimental research, without the use of a control group or without random assignment, since random assignment or the use of control groups is often not feasible in educational settings. In a quasi-experimental study of ethics, the researcher would not use random assignment but could use one of several strategies to compensate for its absence. The researcher might, for example, administer a pretest to all students, provide the treatment to half of the students, administer a posttest, and use a statistical procedure known as the analysis of covariance to determine if the treatment made a difference. #methodology #QuasiExperimentalresearch #dissertation #researchsupport

Causal-comparative studies are designed to determine the possible causes of a phenomenon. Sometimes these studies are called ex post facto research since the causes are usually studied after they have had an effect on another variable. For example, a study that examines the effects of grade retention uses a causal-comparative design by studying the effects of not being promoted when comparing the later performance of those who were retained and those who were promoted. #methodology #Causalcomparativestudies #dissertation #researchsupport

Correlation studies are designed to analyse the relationships between two or more variables, ordinarily through the use of correlation coefficients. You might, for example, study the type of licence held by teachers and student achievement to determine if there are any statistically significant relationships between these two factors. Keep in mind the caution that correlation is not causation. Correlational studies may show a direct relationship between two factors but cannot prove causation. #methodology #Correlationstudies #dissertation #researchsupport

Descriptive research is used to describe a phenomenon. Though some professors deprecate descriptive studies, these studies can be especially valuable as one of the early stages in a research project. Descriptive studies report frequencies, averages, and percentages. For example, you might study the attitudes of teachers in public schools toward the Common Core and student achievement. You would not draw any conclusions about relationships, but only report frequencies, averages, and percentages. #methodology #Descriptiveresearch #dissertation #researchsupport

Evaluation research makes judgments about the merit or worth of educational programs, products, and organisations. It is typically undertaken to aid administrators in making professional decisions. Evaluation studies are usually described as either formative or summative. Formative studies are made while a new program or product is being developed, and summative studies are made when it has been completed. You might do an evaluation of a testing program required by the implementation of the Common Core, performing both a formative and a summative assessment. #methodology #Evaluationresearch #dissertation #researchsupport

A case study research is an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon in depth and within its real-life context, especially when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident. Though case studies often use quantitative measures, they more often tend to take a qualitative perspective, concerned with exploring, describing and explaining a phenomenon. You might undertake a case study of a new consolidated high school in its first year of operation. #methodology #casestudyresearch #dissertation #researchsupport

Ethnographic research is a special type of case study research. It is distinguished from other types of case studies because it uses the theories and methods of anthropology to study the culture of schools and classrooms. For example, you might do an ethnographic study of the educational background and employment experiences of female public school superintendents to use in curriculum planning for preparing female public school superintendents. #methodology #Ethnographicresearch #dissertation #researchsupport

Most action research documents how an educational problem was identified, understood, and solved by practitioners. For example, you might document how you and your colleagues resolved the problem of students’ texting during class at the university level. There are, of course, other methods employed in educational research, such as philosophical research, historical research, and legal research. Each of these has its own characteristics and uses special methods. #methodology #actionresearch #dissertation #researchsupport