Classroom Research & Research Question

Where have we been? Where are we going?

Problem

In scholarship and research, having a “problem” is at the heart of the investigative process. …. But in one’s teaching, a “problem” is something you don’t’ want to have and if you have one, you probably want to fix it.”

Randy Bass. 1999. “The Scholarship of Teaching: What’s the Problem?” Inventio

Question “Changing the status of the problem in

teaching from terminal remediation to ongoing investigation is precisely what the movement for a scholarship of teaching is all about.”

Randy Bass. 1999. “The Scholarship of Teaching: What’s the Problem?” Inventio

SoTL Questions

What works?-measurement of

efficacy

What is?-examination of a

process

What’s possible?-exploration

What unifies?-defining models &

conceptual frameworks that

influence practice

Activity- Examining ArticlesSteck, DiBase, Wang, & Bouktiarov (2012) The Use of Open-Ended Problem-Based Learning Scenarios in an Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Class: Evaluation of a Problem Based Learning Course Across Three Years

• What is the research problem?

• Page 3: Lists 4 research questions. Classify the questions.

Activity- Examining ArticlesDrew & Triplett (2008) Whole Genome Sequencing in the Undergraduate Classroom: Outcomes and Lessons from a Pilot Course •What is the research problem?

•What is the research question(s)?

Steps Towards Defining the Problem

•What problem do I have?•What is the evidence that the

problem exists?• Is this evidence strong? Are my

assumptions few?• Is my problem local, nationwide, or

global?

A “good Research question”

• Is something you care about •Connects with things others care

about•Helps open “the black box of student

learning”• Is focused and manageable• Leads to other questions

Your Turn…..

•What is your research problem?

•What is/are your research question(s)?

Checklist of things to think about when identifying your research questionIs the scope of your project reasonable?Is the question one that can be answered? How much time can you realistically devote to

this research?Have you done a literature review that helps

further define your research question?Do you have expertise in the methods you plan

to use? Do you have colleagues to support you?Who can help you if you get stuck?

Places to find your answer• Exams• Reading of student papers• Student reflections• Student portfolio• Classroom assessments• Think alouds• Survey• Focus groups• Case study of a single student over time• Tracking patterns or achievement