Chapter #1 - What? So What? Now What?

WHAT?

The four main categories of research studies are: descriptive research, correlational research, experimental research & action research. Below is a description of each type of research:

1 - Descriptive Research: Descriptive research helps describe how things are. Usually descriptive studies deal with numbers; percentages, frequencies & averages. It describes a situation and establishes what, how or why something is happening.

2 - Correlational Research: Correlational research helps us learn about the relationship of two or more things. It helps us draw a conclusion about how two things relate or effect each other. It establishes an association or relationship between two variables.

3 - Experimental Research: Experimental research helps determine the cause and effect and involves the manipulation of one thing (independent variable) to determine the outcome of another (dependent variable).

4 - Action Research: Action research is usually conducted by teachers, principals or staff to address issues they are experiencing in their own classroom or school. A study performed to determine their own practices and evaluate the strategies to improve the practice or outcome.

SO WHAT?

As teachers, we will need to make decisions daily about how we teach, how the students respond to what we teach and what we can do to improve our classroom environment so everyone will benefit from our decisions. By using our common sense we can make many decisions on our own. However, in order for us to make the best decisions for our class to benefit the students learning experiences over a long period of time, it's important to also base our decisions on current research findings, theories and developments.

By knowing about educational research, we will be better critical and reflective thinkers who find classroom strategies to become better teachers and improve our students learning. As we better understand how students learn and develop, we will be able to have a rewarding teaching experience where all will be edified.

NOW WHAT?

I know that I have a lot more that I need to learn about educational research before I will be able to use it in own classroom. By learning more about the types of research, I'll be able to determine the types of studies that I should concdentrate on to be able to apply it in my own teaching style. I also need to learn where to turn for credible research and how to determine if a study performed is an accurate study so that I can use the best strategies from the credible studies that I've researched.

I believe that teachers probably use action research the most in their decision making as they try different techniques in their classroom to create the best learning environments possible for the students. It's my goal that when I experience opportunities in my classroom where I am looking for improvements or ideas, that I'll be able to turn to credible educational research to help me find my answers and that I am able to perform my own research in my classroom that will benefit my students and give me answers specific to my class.