Scenario 1: Ten students are available for in-depth interviews. Participants will be selected based on their involvement with the peer mediation program. They will be observed over three weeks. Analysis will attempt to determine issues concerning peer mediation. The best method for this scenario would be qualitative. The interactive aspect of this research and the fact that the data is in the form of words rather than numbers would lend itself to a qualitative research (2008, p.20).
Scenario 2: Two classrooms of students are selected. There are 30 students in each class; each group will have similar demographics—age, sex, race, socio-economic background, etc. Classes will be randomly divided into two groups of 15 students. Of these two groups, one randomly selected group will get training on peer mediation and the other group will not. Thus in each classroom there will be one group that is trained in peer mediation and one that is not. Analysis will occur on which groups have the fewest office referrals. The best method for this scenario would be quantitative with an experimental design. In experimental design, the research manipulates what the subjects will experience, and then makes comparisons between the subjects. It investigates cause and effect relationships (2008, p.23).
Scenario 3: A school counselor is interested in knowing how student attitudes affect the value of peer mediation to decrease the number of office referrals that are being filed for inappropriate interactions. This research method best used for this scenario would be mixed method. By using the mixed method the researcher investigates cause and effect relationships while combining numerical data. (2008, p.161).
Scenario 4: Peer mediation has become widely used in many schools. The feelings of those involved in the process are little known—either from those doing the mediation or those receiving it. The ZASK-R Acceptance Preference Survey will be given as pre- and post-tests to 40 students participating in mediation. Follow-up interviews will be conducted on a bi-monthly basis. Action research would be the best method used in this scenario. Action research provides an immediate response to data collected (Laureate Education, Inc., 2008). Action research also uses instruments that are convenient and easy to administer and score (2008, p. 175). In this scenario the students will be given a pre and post test and follow up interview will be conducted. This type of data would lend itself to action research.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). Program seven. Additional Research Methods [Motion picture]. Introduction to educational research. Baltimore: Author.
McMillan, J. H., & Schumacher, S. (2008). Research in education: Evidence-based inquiry (Laureate custom edition). Boston: Pearson.
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Kelly,
ReplyDeleteI had a hard time with number three. I thought maybe I was looking at it too hard. I came up with Ex Post Facto. I think I might have been a little tired. I agree with your mixed method, I totally did not see the cause and effect. Good Job.
Erika
Erika and Kelly,
ReplyDeleteI also agree that scenario three was mixed methods. I did not see it as clearly as a cause and effect but I did see it as looking and data and then asking the how. I hope we are correct!
Veronica
Number three was definitely the toughest. I cam out with quantitative and action methods, but yours has a different take I can see as well. With your number four, do you think qualitative could be used. I had thought about action, but I did not think the results would be immediate because the of followups being ongoing and bimonthly. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteKelly,
ReplyDeleteWe agreed on our first two scenarios, but differed on the last two. I chose to use action research on number three and then mixed-method on number four. Really, several research designs could be used for these scenarios. I think the justification of which research design you chose was just as important as choosing the actual design.
Jennifer
Kelly,
ReplyDeleteI had the same types of answers for scenarios one and two as you did, but for three and four mine were swapped. I now am wondering if there is one or more correct answers? I really like how you chose mixed methods for scenario three, and how you included the cause and effect. Well done!!
Marie Gauthier