PEER Module 4: Research & Evaluation Questions

PEER Module 4: Research & Evaluation Questions

Erika S. Trapl, PhDOctober 21, 2015

The Perfect Question You won’t be writing it today. You probably won’t write it tomorrow. And once you start writing, the question you end up with probably won’t look much like the question you started with.

Don’t worry…you’re doing it right. This is a process.

So, where to start?

Research Question Defined A clear, focused, concise, complex and arguable question around which you center your research

From https://writingcenter.gmu.edu/how-to-write-a-research-question/

Could also: Refer to the problem or phenomenon Reflect the intervention in experimental research Note the target group of participants Inform the research methods

https://writingcenter.gmu.edu/how-to-write-a-research-question/

What makes a Q “good”? RELEVANT Contributes to the field Adds to the theoretical foundation Informs policy

Ask yourself “so what?” Who cares about the question and why What is the potential impact of answering your question

Getting started What topic are you interested in What gets you really excited about it? What are you curious about? Can you narrow this down a little more? How much do you already know? Are there some questions you want to answer?

Getting started What topic are you interested in What gets you really excited about it? What are you curious about? Can you narrow this down a little more? How much do you already know? Are there some questions you want to answer?

You are in pursuit of the Knowledge Gap. What next?

The Circle of Inquiry

Adapted from: Nutting, PA, Stange, KC. Practice-based research: The opportunity to create a learning discipline. In: The Textbook of Family Practice, 6th Edition. Rakel RE (ed.), W. B. Saunders Company, 2001.

Search for Existing

Information

Focus the Study

Question

Design the Study

Collect Data

Analyze & Interpret Results

Disseminate & Implement

Identify Knowledge

Gap



2. Search for Existing Informatio

n

3. Focus the Study Question

Design the Study

Collect Data



1. Identify Knowledge

Gap

Search for existing information Literature Search: (a) to help figure out what works; (b) to pursue a topic, problem, or question

of professional and/or personal interest; (c) to pinpoint an area of further study; (d) to provide a rationale/background for study; (e) to survey or analyze research methodology



2. Search for Existing Informatio

n

3. Focus the Study Question

Design the Study

Collect Data



1. Identify Knowledge

Gap

What makes a Q “good”? Contributes to the field Adds to the theoretical foundation Informs policy RELEVANT

Ask yourself “so what?” Who cares about the question and why What is the potential impact of answering your question

How do you know you’ve got it Tell your “story” and see if it sticks Using the literature, provide a rationale Explain what we already know Identify the knowledge gap(s) State your research question(s) Describe the potential impact of your results

“If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself.”

- Albert Einstein

The Dance of Design What is your unique opportunity to generate new knowledge?

The question

What is known What is feasible

Some questions may be best answered in small, thoughtful steps.PEER is just the start of your research.



Search for Existing

Information

Focus the Study

Question

Design the Study

Collect Data



Identify Knowledge

Gap

Design the Study Match the method to the question Look for your particular opportunity to access meaningful data

How can you inform the knowledge gap? Use the literature to begin to inform your design

What has already been done? What were the strengths/flaws to designs? What needs to be done next to answer the

gap?

Measurement Observe measurement issues as you read the literature Quantitative instruments

Items & scales Validity, reliability, relevance

Existing scales or develop your own Qualitative

Survey / interview Direct observation Case study Etc.

Developing as a Researcher Pay attention and reflect In practice In reading In conversation Learning opportunities Seminars/Conferences Reading Doing your own studies Reading Joining others in their studies Reading Seek and draw lessons from feedback Carry a way to record your thoughts Let your mind wander Constantly ask questions

Identifying a knowledge gap

Questions from practice Questions from listening Questions from reading Evolving questions from

Discussion (develop a team) Action/ reflection cycles Openness Making space

Write them down. Talk them out. (With anyone who’s willing.)

Search for existing knowledge Sources

Google Scholar PubMed Social science literature databases Ask colleagues & experts Professional organizations

Look for Holes/Gaps Paradoxes that are ignored or explained

away (and…the “future studies” statements at the

end of a journal article)

Focus the Question To fill gaps in existing knowledge Common holes to fill:

Person/Client perspective Agency/provider perspective Implementation Boundary regions between disciplines

Evaluation (Research) Evaluation is research and follows the same process

What is the (evaluation) question? Is it RELEVANT? Who cares about this and why? How will the results be used?

The audience for evaluation research may be more narrow

Typically examines aspects of a program Could be process, could be outcomes

Questions & Discussion

PEER Module 4: Research & Evaluation Questions

Documents

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