action research
problem-solving investigation; focusing on a specific problem and making careful observations
example: would assigning task roles in science groups lead to more equitable participation of girls and boys in the work?
case study
investigation of one person
example: interviewing family members, teachers, or friends to identify students for a gifted program
correlations
statistical descriptions of how closely two variables are related
positive: relationship between variables increases or decreases together ^^
negative: relationship between variables shows one increasing while other decreases and vice versa
descriptive studies
- collect detailed information about specific situations using observations, surveys, interviews, recordings
- results often include reports of correlations
educational psychology
the study of development, learning, motivation, teaching, and assessment in and out of schools
qualitative (subjective)
- uses words, dialogue, events, images as data
* goal: explore specific situations/people in depth (case studies, surveys, interviews)
quantitative (objective)
- take measurements; make calculations
- use numbers/statistics to assess relationships among variables or differences between groups; try to be as objective as possible; results can be generalized to the population (correlational and experimental studies)
empirical research
based on observed and measured phenomena and derives knowledge from actual experience rather than from theory or belief
example: a researcher was interested in finding out whether listening to happy music promotes prosocial behaviour
ethnography
study of naturally occurring events in the life of a group to understand meaning of events to the people
- researcher becomes a participant in the group being studied
the research cycle
steps in the process:
- state hypotheses or research question
- gather and analyze data about the question
- interpret and analyze gathered data
- modify and improve theories based on results
- formulate new questions
microgenetic studies
observation of changes in a cognitive process as it unfolds (days or weeks)
- observe period of the change (start to end of the year)
- make many observations
- put observed behavior “under a microscope”
principle
an established relationship between factors
- a principle is established when enough studies in a certain area point to same conclusions
teachers sense of efficacy
belief in their own abilities to reach even difficult students to help them learn
- a personal characteristic of teachers that predicts student achievement
theory
integrated statement of principles that attempts to explain a phenomenon and make predictions
- beginning and ending points of research cycle
- from theories, develop hypotheses to be tested
