FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY

Center for Occupational Education

EDUC 511

Course Project

Outline for Research Field Study


  SECTION I: DEFINING THE PROBLEM/RESEARCH PURPOSE

l. Introduction and Background of the Problem (e.g., educational trends related to the problem, unresolved issues)

        A. The introduction sets the stage for the statement of the problem.
        B. Deals with the general status of the problem area (describe your site, city, program).
        C. Usually one or two paragraphs in length.
        D. Do not mention your specific problem (study), but relate to the broad problem area.
        E. Be careful about value judgments
        F. Give credit for others’ ideas and statements that you use.

2. Statement of the Problem Situation (basic difficulty-area of concern) or Statement of Need
            A. Should answer: "What is the researcher trying to accomplish by doing the study?"
            B. Should be established on the basis of need by
                l. Recognized researchers
                2. Society
                3. Recognized authorities

        Why are YOU doing this study??? (Example: This research has never been done here??
        The institution has to prepare for accreditation visit??)
  3. Purpose of the Study (one sentence)

        A. Answers the following questions:
                l. How can the researcher use the results of the study?
                2. How can the profession use the results of the study?

4. Statement of Hypotheses or Research Questions to be Answered (list of hypotheses or research questions)

A. If the study is an experimental study, it is recommended that the hypothesis be stated as the null since statistical treatment is easier to handle.
B. The hypothesis implicitly states the problem and identifies the kind of solution that is needed.
C. If the study is a descriptive type student, research questions should identify the problem in question form. Typically these question ask "what was" or "what is". Relationship questions ask "what is the relationship between two or more variables?"
 
  SECTION II: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

(Conduct an ERIC search and list a bibliography)

5. Literature Related to the Research Problem (LIST specific research articlesin bibliography format)

A. Select materials which most directly bear on the problem. Include recent literature in both content and method.
B. Each reference should contain complete biographical information such as author, title, publisher, date, etc.           C. Follow a standard form or style book.

SECTION III: METHODOLOGY OR PROCEDURES

6. Description of Research Methodology or Approach (eg., experimental, quasi-experimental, correlational, descriptive,
    non-experimental, etc) (Hint: Use your textbook to get the right words here)

7. Research Design

A. If the independent variables are to be manipulated in experimental fashion, has it been indicated how this will be done?           B. Are all hypotheses or research questions accounted for in the design plans? C. If the study is not an experimental study, describe the type of design (survey design, etc.)
  8. Pilot Studies (as they apply to the research design, development of instruments, data collection techniques and characteristics of the sample)

        A. Describe the pilot test of a questionnaire (if appropriate)
        B. Describe that the instrument will be reviewed by experts--name them

9. Selection of Subjects

          A. Who was selected to participate—where they randomly selected?

B. Is the sample size consistent with the method to be employed (e.g., so that follow-up of drop-outs and non-returns is practical?)
C. If not experimental, describe who will get the questionnaire; how will you get their names, do you know the approximate numbers???)
  10. Instrumentation (tests, measures, questionnaires)

          A. Attach draft copies of instruments or samples of instruments that are to be used.

B. Identify provisions that were made for the development and validation of researcher-developed instruments (e.g., field test or panel of expert review)
  11. Field, Classroom or Laboratory Procedures (instructions to subjects or distribution of materials)

        A. Defines what steps are to be taken to accomplish the research.

12. Analysis (statistical tools)

        A. List the statistics you would use to analyze the data you collect from this study.