"(31) Introduction to Educational Research" by referencing Creswell’s Educational Research
textbook (4th edition).
📘 Introduction to Educational Research
🔍 Why Research in Education?
Purpose: Improve educational practices for the benefit of learners.
Importance:
o Adds to existing knowledge.
o Helps solve educational problems (e.g. pandemic-era learning).
o Informs and improves teaching practice.
o Empowers educators to make evidence-based decisions.
🔁 The Research Process (Cycle)
1. Identify a Research Problem
o General topic → specific issue.
o E.g. Topic: Distance Learning → Problem: Lack of student participation.
2. Review Literature
o Locate, select, and summarize relevant studies.
o Purpose: Understand background, gaps, and context.
3. Specify the Purpose
o Write a Purpose Statement: defines major intent.
o Narrow down to Research Questions.
4. Formulate Hypothesis (for quantitative)
o Predict relationships between variables.
5. Design the Study
o Choose between quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, or action research.
6. Collect Data
o Select participants.
o Obtain permissions/ethical approvals.
o Gather information (numeric or textual).
7. Analyze and Interpret Data
o Quantitative: statistical analysis.
o Qualitative: coding, thematic analysis.
8. Report and Evaluate
o Write structured report.
o Audience-targeted.
o Reflect back on research questions and objectives.
🧠 Core Concepts
📌 Topic vs. Problem vs. Purpose vs. Question
Concept Definition Example
Topic Broad subject of interest Distance Learning
Problem Specific issue within topic Low engagement in online classes
Purpose Major aim of the study To examine effectiveness of online learning
Question Narrow inquiry guiding data collection Why do students not attend online classes?
⚖️ Quantitative vs Qualitative Research
📊 Quantitative Research
Purpose: Explain relationships among variables, measure trends.
Data: Numeric, collected from large groups using instruments.
Literature: Major role in forming research questions.
Designs:
o Experimental: Tests cause-effect.
o Correlational: Examines relationships.
o Survey: Describes trends or opinions.
Analysis: Uses statistical methods.
Report: Structured, objective.
📝 Qualitative Research
Purpose: Explore and understand complex phenomena.
Data: Words/images from a few participants.
Literature: Minor role; mainly justifies problem.
Designs:
o Grounded Theory: Develops theory from data.
o Ethnography: Studies shared cultures.
o Narrative/Phenomenology: Explores lived experiences.
Analysis: Thematic/textual analysis.
Report: Flexible structure, includes researcher’s reflection.
🔀 Other Research Approaches
Approach Purpose
Mixed Methods Combines qualitative + quantitative to explain a problem.
Action Research Solves local, specific educational issues (often by teachers themselves).
📌 Key Terms
Central Phenomenon: Main concept being studied (esp. in qualitative).
Variables: Characteristics being measured (quantitative).
Instruments: Tools like surveys, tests (quantitative).
Protocols: Guides for interviews or observations (qualitative).
📎 Final Thoughts
All educators are researchers.
Research is a systematic, purposeful, and evolving process.
Choose a method/design aligned with your purpose and questions.
Begin with curiosity: ask a question, then explore answers systematically.
