PhD Research Seminar Series: Selecting a Research Topic Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos.

PhD Research Seminar Series:PhD Research Seminar Series:Selecting a Research TopicSelecting a Research Topic

Dr. K. A. KorbDr. K. A. Korb

University of JosUniversity of Jos

OverviewOverview

Research: Process of Research: Process of identifying identifying something unknownsomething unknown and collecting data and collecting data to make it known.to make it known.Selecting a Research TopicSelecting a Research TopicDeveloping Research QuestionsDeveloping Research Questions

Dr. K. A. KorbUniversity of Jos

Choosing a Research TopicChoosing a Research Topic

1.1. Pick a general topic that you are interested in.Pick a general topic that you are interested in.

2.2. Determine the focus of your research studyDetermine the focus of your research study Basic: Test a theoryBasic: Test a theory Applied: Improve educational practiceApplied: Improve educational practice Extend previous researchExtend previous research

Different populationDifferent population Trends over timeTrends over time

3.3. Write down the conclusion that you want to Write down the conclusion that you want to make once you are completely finished with make once you are completely finished with your paper.your paper.


Tips for Finding a Research Tips for Finding a Research QuestionQuestion

Read journal articlesRead journal articles Read journal articlesRead journal articles Read more journal articles.Read more journal articles.

Future DirectionsFuture Directions segment of the segment of the Discussion Discussion section.section.


PsychologyPsychologyBasic Applied

Research conducted to test theories and

build a foundation of knowledge.

Research conducted to solve practical human problems.

How does memory work?

How does learning occur?

Why do people do what they do? (Motivation) How can we

help our students memorize facts?

What teaching methods can we use to help our students learn more effectively?

How can we use principles of motivation to help our students succeed?


Stating Desired ConclusionStating Desired Conclusion Basic:Basic: Name of theoryName of theory has been shown to be has been shown to be

incomplete because the theory says ______, but my incomplete because the theory says ______, but my research study has demonstrated the opposite, ______.research study has demonstrated the opposite, ______.

Applied:Applied: This research study demonstrates that This research study demonstrates that education can be improved by education can be improved by treatment in studytreatment in study because students who received the aforementioned because students who received the aforementioned treatment performed better than students in a control treatment performed better than students in a control group.group.

Extend:Extend: Previous research has demonstrated Previous research has demonstrated ________. This research study provides evidence that ________. This research study provides evidence that the previous research cannot be generalized to the previous research cannot be generalized to name of name of populationpopulation because ___________. because ___________.


Developing Research QuestionsDeveloping Research Questions

1.1. Rephrase the conclusion you want to Rephrase the conclusion you want to make into a general research question.make into a general research question.

2.2. Identify your key variablesIdentify your key variables3.3. Develop a few more specific research Develop a few more specific research

questions that provide the details to your questions that provide the details to your general research question.general research question.

ONLY ONLY write research questions for the write research questions for the independent and dependent variables in independent and dependent variables in your general research question.your general research question.


Developing Research QuestionsDeveloping Research Questions

Do primary students perform differently on Do primary students perform differently on quantitative reasoning tasks when presented quantitative reasoning tasks when presented with numbers or pictures to represent with numbers or pictures to represent numbers?numbers?

Do primary students perform better on a pictorial Do primary students perform better on a pictorial task of quantitative reasoning or on a matched task of quantitative reasoning or on a matched symbolic task of quantitative reasoning?symbolic task of quantitative reasoning?

Do primary students choose to use a symbolic or a Do primary students choose to use a symbolic or a pictorial representation of quantity when solving a pictorial representation of quantity when solving a quantitative reasoning task?quantitative reasoning task?

Can primary students fluently move between Can primary students fluently move between pictorial and symbolic representations of quantity?pictorial and symbolic representations of quantity?


Key VariablesKey Variables

Determine Your Determine Your IndependentIndependent and and Dependent Dependent Variables Variables

– Independent Variable: Any variable that the Independent Variable: Any variable that the researcher manipulates in an experiment; proposed researcher manipulates in an experiment; proposed causecause

– Dependent Variable: A variable that is being Dependent Variable: A variable that is being measured in an experiment; the proposed effect; measured in an experiment; the proposed effect; depends on experimental situationdepends on experimental situation

– NOTE: Correlational studies have two variables; NOTE: Correlational studies have two variables; neither are classified as independent or dependent neither are classified as independent or dependent variablesvariables



IndependentVariable

DependentVariable(s)

TreatmentWhat the

TreatmentChanges

GroupsWhat differsBetween the

Groups



Counseling

AcademicAchievement

Interest

AlcoholConsumption

TeachingMethod

HomeworkCompletion

ParentalInvolvement



Group

Response toCounseling

Adjustmentin School

AcademicAchievement


SummarySummary

Selecting a TopicSelecting a Topic1.1. Select a general topic Select a general topic

2.2. Determine the focus Determine the focus

3.3. Write down the final conclusion you want to makeWrite down the final conclusion you want to make

Developing Research QuestionsDeveloping Research Questions1.1. Turn the conclusion into a general research Turn the conclusion into a general research

questionquestion

2.2. Identify independent and dependent variablesIdentify independent and dependent variables

3.3. Develop more specific research questionsDevelop more specific research questions


Three QuestionsThree Questions

1.1. Has this research question been Has this research question been answered in previous research studies?answered in previous research studies?

2.2. Will this research study contribute Will this research study contribute meaningfully to either theory or practice meaningfully to either theory or practice (preferably both)?(preferably both)?

3.3. Using the resources available to me, can Using the resources available to me, can I feasibly answer this research question?I feasibly answer this research question?


Concluding AdviceConcluding Advice

It is better to say one thing with certainty It is better to say one thing with certainty than many things unconvincingly.than many things unconvincingly.

The best dissertation is a completed The best dissertation is a completed dissertation.dissertation.


PhD Research Seminar Series: Selecting a Research Topic Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos.

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