We haven’t read Chapter 5 yet, so when I read this line, “It
also extends the discussion about research problems that incorporate the need
both to explore and explain” (203), I wondered if research could be conducted
just to explore or to explain, or if it always consists of both exploring and
explaining.
Aspects that influence the design are timing, weighting,
mixing, and theorizing. It seems to me that weighting would allow researchers
to interpret data in a way that might show bias. Researchers are not supposed
to do that, but in education, it seems that for many studies that show one
result, there is another study that shows the opposite result. For example, at
my school (I teach 8th grade English), we have Sustained Silent
Reading (SSR). There are studies that show SSR is a great addition to the
students’ day and studies that show it is not. Of course, there are many
factors regarding this issue, but when administration is focused on data, we
have to be careful which studies are being cited.
After reading Chapter 10, I can safely say that I do not
want to do a mixed methods study. I do not have enough time, nor do I have
enough resources.
Having said that, I believe the study I am currently
involved in with UCI (the Pathways Grant), is a mixed methods study. First, we
are administering a pre- and post-assessment. The pretest is a written
assignment and a survey, which are administered over a period of 2 days. They
recommended to not give the writing test and survey on consecutive days, but to
give them close together. That test is in October. Then, in May, students will
take the posttest, which, I am assuming, will be two similar tasks. The goal is
to measure growth in Pathways classes (the experimental group) and growth in
the control classes. These assessments will give them their quantitative data.
They will also visit and observe classes, which will give them qualitative
data. I am also being assessed as I took the initial survey on Wednesday.
It seemed that the Introduction Kick-Off Day on Wednesday for
the Pathways Project was like a research proposal. They cited us other case
studies and explained what they were going to do with us. They showed us
results of similar projects. They explained to us the methods of data
collection.
I am proud to be part of this study and I cannot wait to
begin implementing the program in my classroom. I have to use my period with
the greatest number of English Language learners (EL’s) as my Pathways class.
However, because the writing program is so phenomenal and better than anything
I could have come up with on my own, I am going to use it with all my classes.
It’s just that I will have one class for the grant project’s data collection
and analysis.
It’s top secret, too. I cannot tell anyone anything about
it, including my principal. I feel, though, that my involvement will give me a
leg up on everyone else in the implementation of the Common Core State
Standards. I also get a stipend and $500 to spend on books for my classroom
library!
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