In this article, the authors describe critical issues related to the pursuit of rigorous and innovative research in the fields of mathematics and science education. The paper is framed to help researchers consider aspects of both their research project and their research proposal. The authors describe features of high-quality and fundable research…

Designing your own study and writing your research proposal takes time, often more so than conducting the study. This practical, accessible guide walks you through the entire process. You will learn to identify and narrow your research topic, develop your research question, design your study, and choose appropriate sampling and measurement…

This study applied a content analysis methodology in two ways to evaluate first-year students' research topics: a rubric to examine proposed topics in terms of scope, development, and the "researchability" of the topic, as well as textual analysis, using ATLAS.ti, to provide an overview of the types of subjects students select for a…

This article addresses research preparation for graduate students. A major assumption is that preparation needs to be differentiated based on a student's goals. Since this is a personal proposal for research preparation, based on experience and the literature, I begin the article providing my perspective since that frames what follows. The next…

This highly readable text demystifies the qualitative research process--and helps readers conceptualize their own studies--by organizing the different research paradigms and traditions into coherent clusters. Real-world examples and firsthand perspectives illustrate the research process; instructive exercises and activities build on each other so…

The authors examine the characteristics of a good research question and present a building-block approach for refining the question. They discuss the framework, how to formulate the question, and how to refine the question. A glossary of research terms is also included. (Editor/CT)

THE PROJECT METHOD OF FUNDING RESEARCH PLACES IMPORTANCE ON THE MANAGEMENT OF SUCH RESEARCH IN BOTH PLANNING AND OPERATIONAL STAGES. TYPICAL RESEARCH PROPOSALS DO NOT DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH THE SCHEDULE TO BE MAINTAINED, THE COMPLEX OF INTERRELATED ACTIVITIES, THE NATURE OF THE TASKS TO BE PERFORMED, OR THE TIME AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO DO THE TASK.…

This article establishes guidelines for conducting and evaluating research projects according to a scientific methodology. The organizational format suggested here follows an outline with elements and details that should be considered in an investigation. Each part of the proposed outline is explained, and terms are defined. Project evaluation is…

To study the problems of secondary schools in the context of the Surrey School District, British Columbia, it was necessary to answer the question of how to overcome secondary school inertia so as to fundamentally alter the organization or practices within it. The primary obstacle was gaining the district Management Committee's support despite its…

Program theory-driven evaluation science uses substantive knowledge, as opposed to method proclivities, to guide program evaluations. It aspires to update, clarify, simplify, and make more accessible the evolving theory of evaluation practice commonly referred to as theory-driven or theory-based evaluation. The evaluator in this chapter provides a…

The four colleges participating in the Associated Colleges of the St. Lawrence Valley initiated a project to stimulate the involvement of their faculty in the development of research, development, and evaluation projects on a scale comparable to that at larger institutions. The specific objectives were as follows: a) to organize and implement…

The curriculum for this 2-week workshop on educational research development and evaluation is designed to increase participants' skills in project development and proposal writing and increase their knowledge of research and evaluation methods. Geared toward adult professionals who are skilled and motivated, the curriculum helps participants to…

The Prince George's County Public School District is a multiculturally diverse district in Maryland serving a heterogeneous population of students, most of whom are black (70.3%) and many of whom qualify for free or reduced-price meals (40%). The school system welcomes the opportunity to participate in research projects, but has acknowledged its…

Completing a series of annual reports (all of which have been entered into the ERIC system), this thirteenth report summarizes information received from State Research Coordinating Units (RCU) regarding all state-administered research activities; all activities reported are included, whether or not they were funded under section 131(b) of Part C…