Variable Checklist

[Note: Use this with your peer reviewer and hand this in with your Introduction Draft (Class 3).]

Purpose: check that you have used consistent vocabulary and language throughout.

Title: _____________________________________________________________________________

RQ:1. ________________________________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________________________________

List each variable, then check the boxes to indicate where and how each variable is used.

Variable Used in Title

Discussed in Introduction

Defined Used in RQ Independent – Will be Described in Intervention

Dependent - Will be described in Data Collection

Appendix C-1 Action Chart

[Note: Hand this chart in with Methods Outline (Class 4).

Purpose: To plan your actions before, during and after intervention and to align these actions with your research questions.

Research Questions

Action Steps Who is responsible for the action?

Who needs to be informed?

Who will monitor and collect data?

Timeline Resources

Action Research Chart - Example

Research Questions

Action Steps Who is responsible for the action?

Who needs to be informed?

Who will monitor and collect data?

Timeline Resources

1. How much time do students spend on computers at home and at school?

Give vocabulary/facts pretest to students

Teacher Teacher January 8, 2004

Keep observation records in the computer lab.

Lab parapro

Lab parapro supervisor

Lab parapro

Jan 12-March 18

Software, web sites

Send home parent surveys.

Teacher Parents, principal

Teacher January 8

Keep field notes during lab time.

Teacher Teacher Jan 12-March 18

2. How does use of keyboarding software at

Give timed typing pretest.

Teacher Teacher January 9, 2004

New typing software program

school affect typing rate?

Intervention: Provide students with at least 10 minutes of keyboarding daily using computer software.

Teacher Teacher Jan 12-March 18

Give weekly timed typing tests.

Teacher Teacher Jan 16, 23, 30, Feb 6, 13, 20, 27, Mar 5,12

Give timed typing posttest.

Teacher Teacher March 19

Appendix C-2 Data Analysis and Interpretation Chart

[Note: This will be handed in with Methods draft (Class 5).]

Description of each instrument is presented in a separate paragraph (same format as for Research Questions and variable definitions). List instruments in order determined by research questions. Description of each instrument should include the following:Element ExampleFormal name of instrument “Nature of Science Inventory”Abbreviation for use throughout the paper (optional)

“NOS Inventory”

Location of instrument - Appendix where instrument is located or reference

“Appendix B-1” or “(Jones, 2001)”

Developer “Developed by researcher” or provide citation for the source

Validity & reliability “Content validity was established by peer review or by pilot testing with x students”

Timing of assessment “administered before and after the intervention”Who is assessed “administered to students in both control and

intervention groups”Number and type of items “20 multiple-choice items”Content assessed “statements about attitude towards science”Method of scoring 5-scale Likert “scored with 1 being strongly agree

to 5 being strongly agree”Method of analysis Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics

(M, SD) and a paired t-test (F, t, p)Plan for interpretation “compare pretest and posttest scores” or “compare

scores for group A with scores for group B” or “discuss patterns in themes that emerge from responses” or “compare similarities and differences among subgroups of students in the class”

This information can be very concise. E.g. Nature of Science Inventory (NOS Inventory; Appendix B-1). The NOS Inventory is a 20-item

Likert-scale survey of understanding of the nature of science (scored 1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree). The inventory was developed by the researcher and validated by peer review with five science teachers. It was administered to all students in the study before and after the intervention. Pre and post responses were analyzed by paired t-tests and interpreted by identifying patterns and discussing emergent themes in the data.

Data Analysis and Interpretation Chart

Purpose: To plan data collection, analysis and interpretation.Instrument 1 Instrument 2 Instrument 3

RQ1:

Name (& Abbrev)Location DeveloperValidity & reliabilityTiming of assessmentWho is assessedNumber & type of itemsContent assessedMethod of scoringMethod of analysisPlan for interpretationRQ 2:Name (& Abbrev)Location DeveloperValidity & reliabilityTiming of assessmentWho is assessedNumber & type of itemsContent assessedMethod of scoringMethod of analysisPlan for interpretationRQ 3:Name (& Abbrev)Location DeveloperValidity & reliabilityTiming of assessmentWho is assessedNumber & type of itemsContent assessedMethod of scoringMethod of analysisPlan for interpretation

Data Collection Instruments Checklist

[Note: Use this with your peer reviewer and hand this in with your complete AR Plan draft (Class 6). You will not use the shaded area of the chart until you write the Results and Discussion sections.]

Purpose: Check that you have used defined instruments and used names consistently throughout.

Instrument name (and abbreviation if appropriate)

Defined in methods

Reference or appendix

Used in Data Chart

Used in results

Used in discussion