Course - 8604

Research Methods in Education

 What we will be Studying in Next 6 Days

Unit–1: Introduction of Educational Research

Unit–2: Types of Research
Unit–3: Historical Research
Unit–4: Experimental Research
Unit–5: Descriptive Research
Unit–6: Tools and Techniques of Research
Unit–7: Sampling Techniques
Unit–8: Designing a Research Proposal
Unit–9: Writing Research Report
 Unit2-Objectives
Types of Research

8. By Method: Descriptive Research

9. Experimental Research
10. Historical Research
CLASSIFICATION OF EDUCATIONAL
RESEARCH BY PURPOSE
 CLASSIFICATION OF EDUCATIONAL
RESEARCH BY PURPOSE
• This type of research is also regarded as fundamental/pure research.
• Basic Research is a type of research that is aimed at gaining a better
understanding of a subject, phenomenon or basic law of nature.
• This type of research is primarily focused on the advancement of knowledge
rather than solving a specific problem.
• “Basic research is conducted solely for the purpose of theory development and
refinement” L.R. Gay.
• It is driven by curiosity, a desire to expand the boundaries of knowledge, and a
quest to understand the underlying mechanisms that govern our universe.
 CLASSIFICATION OF EDUCATIONAL
RESEARCH BY PURPOSE
It is not concerned with day-to-day problems. The basic research has the following
characteristics.
1. It aims at developing educational theories and principles that will be applicable
to a broad population.
2. It requires expert training.
3. It makes use of a wide range of methods to locate the research problem.
4. Highly specific hypothesis are developed.
5. It involves careful attention so that error is reduced to the minimum.
6. It calls for a complex analysis of data.
7. The generalizations usually remain confined to books and research reports.
 Nature of Basic Research and Its Approach

 Typically, Basic Research can be Exploratory, Descriptive and Explanatory;

 Although in many cases, it is explanatory in nature.
 The primary aim of this research approach is to gather information in order to improve
one’s understanding.
 This type of research is also known as Basic Research, Fundamental Research and Pure
research.
 Usually, it is conducted in Laboratories.
 So, Basic Research uses Laboratory Approach.
 Different equipment and apparatus are used in this research.
 What kind of Subjects are used in Basic Research? And
What is the level of control of Basic Research?

Basic Research uses animals as subjects rather human being.

As the purpose of basic Research is to develop new theories so we
cannot conduct experiments directly on humans.
Use of Animals allow a much higher level of control and precision that
is impossible with humans.
Examples:
1. How does Language Acquisition Device work on children?
2. How does the human retentive memory work?
3. How do teaching methods affect student’s concentration in class?
 Applied Research

 Basic Research has three names. Pure, basic and fundamental

Applied research is just applied.
Applied Research is conducted to address a specific business decision for a
specific firm or organization.
It is conducted when a decision must be made about a specific real-life
problem.
Applied Research is undertaken to solve existing problems.
Basic research attempts to expand the limits of knowledge in general, and
as such it is not aimed at solving a particular pragmatic problem.
 ACTION RESEARCH
Action research is to solve practical problems.
It is a form of investigation designed for use by teachers to attempt to
solve problems and improve professional practices in their own
classrooms. (Parsons and Brown, 2002)
Provides a framework that guides the energies of teachers toward a
better understanding of why, when and how students become better
learners. (Miller, 2007)
Action Research
Steps (Design) of Action Research
Types of Action Research
 Characteristics of Action Research
1. It is based on empirical research.
2. It’s a type of Applied research.
3. So, It is focused on the immediate problem. AND
4. It is applicable in a local setting.
5. It is objective in nature.
6. It is limited to local population.
7. It aims at improving classroom and school practices.
8. It aims at the improvement of professional efficiency.
9. It involves very little finances.
10. The researcher and the practitioner is the one and the same person.
11. It’s a cyclic process.
12. Scope is broad.
13. Flexible in nature.
 Research by Method

1.Historical Research
2.Descriptive Research
3.Experimental Research
 Steps of Historical Research
1 Selection of Problem
2. of Hypothesis
3. Collection of Data
a) Primary Data
b) Secondary Data
4. Data Criticism
a) External Criticism
b) Internal Criticism
5. Interpretation of Data
6. Writing a Research Report
a) Statement of problem
b) Review of Literature
c) statement of objective
d) Interpretation
e) Conclusions
 Descriptive Research

Descriptive Research is designed to describe characteristics of a population or a phenomenon.

 Descriptive Research
Descriptive research is classified into the categories such as survey studies, case
studies, developmental studies, follow-up studies, correlational studies, trend
analysis and documentary analysis.
In the system of distance education, this-type of research is quite useful as it helps
in making surveys concerning aims, outcomes of instructional programmes,
survey concerning administrative problems of procedures.
 Experimental Research
The essence of an experiment may be described as observing the effect on a dependent
variable of the manipulation of an independent variable. However, the experimentation in
education is useful to determine and evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of educational
aims and objectives through the measurement of outcomes. It serves as basis for the
formulation, execution and modification of educational policies and programmes. It is
further used to ascertain the effects of any change in the normal educational programmes and
practice.
An experiment calls for the satisfaction of three basic interrelated conditions
i.e. Control, Randomization and Replication.

The following .are the major steps in experimental research.

1. Planning the experiment.
2. Conducting the experiment.
3. Reporting the results.
Experimental Research

Furthermore, the experimental designs are

classified as
• Single Design
• Parallel Design or Equivalent Group Design
• Rotational Group Experimentation
Do all Activities and Exercises.
Discuss in groups.