action research project

Running head: ASSIGNMENT 2 1

ASSIGNMENT 2 6

ASSIGNMENT 2: DATA COLLECTION

21 July 2018

As earlier mentioned, the research project aims at addressing the general research question, “Will further integration of arts into education system enhance student engagement and learning amongst senior school students?” It can be seen that the question can only be addressed effectively, the researcher needs to collect both qualitative and quantitative types of data. Quantitative data refers to gathering of information that is about quantities and numbers and can be measured and written down with numbers (Creswell, 2013). On the other hand, qualitative data is about qualities meaning that it cannot be written down with numbers.

In order to address the research question and learn whether integrating arts would actually promote and enhance learner engagement, there is a need for the researcher to distinguish between two groups. There will be a group of learners who have been exposed to arts and a group of those who have not. These two groups will be involved in a quantitative research that will be looking into their performance, classroom engagement, and what makes them focus and pay attention while in class. The three aspects will entail utilization of quantitative approaches hence collection of quantitative data that can be generalized after patterns have been established.

When involving senior learners, it is imperative that a researcher utilizes quantitative approaches such as use of questionnaires so as to avoid cultural biases (Sagor, 2000). Doing so enables a researcher to avoid cultural biases and confounding variables which may negatively influence the validity of data (Kothari, 2009). Further, majority of senior school learners have not been introduced to cultural competence and communication skills hence may be uncomfortable with qualitative approaches such as interviews that require physical interactions during data collection. Further, the researcher needs to establish patterns which will be used in making a generalization whether integration of arts actually promote learner engagement and learning.

Teachers will be involved in a process that will collect qualitative data. Interviews will be utilized where questions designed to collect the specific data will be posed to the interviewees. Mainly, concerning the two groups selected by the researcher, the teachers will be asked whether there is a difference between the two groups without first informing them about the underlying factors that separate the two groups. The activity will be aiming at establishing whether there is a difference in the manner which learners are engaged in the classrooms. However, it is imperative that confounding variables are addressed. Teachers involved in the interviews will need to be conversant with best practices regarding learner engagement meaning that teachers involved in the interview processes will need to pass the criterion.

Methods for Data Collection

The two distinct groups of learners will be involved in quantitative approaches that entail use of questionnaires. They will be designed in a manner that addresses all cultural biases that might negatively influence the learners. For best practices, the researcher needs to design the questions with the help of experts who should examine them and offer suggestions on how best they should be phrased (Creswell, 2013). On the other hand, it is imperative that open-ended questions are used so as to motivate the respondents into providing more information that needs to be put into consideration by the researcher.

Presenting the sampled respondents with the questionnaires will enable a number of benefits. First, the researcher will spend shorter time and will be able to avoid cultural and confounding variables that might negatively influence the validity of the data. Second, the researcher will be able to collect quantifiable data that can provide patterns which can be used to generalize the findings. Further, using open-ended questions enable the respondents to offer diverse attributes that will be considered during data analysis (Altrichter, Feldman, Posch & Somekh, 2008). Finally, the approach will enable the researcher to effectively compare the data collected hence testing the hypothesis and addressing the general research question.

On the other hand, structured interviews will be utilized in collecting data involving the teachers. It was earlier mentioned, that they will be sampled in order to ensure that they are conversant with best practices when it comes to learner engagement. Further, it is worth noting that the teachers’ perceptions on the importance of arts in education will be looked into. Essentially, the interviews will be offering a platform for teacher to express their perceptions and beliefs when it comes to integration of arts in education in a bid to promote learner engagement and learning. The sampled teachers will be presented with open-ended questions which will enable the researcher to collect data that provides other bases not considered during research design. It is important to note that the researcher will be responsible for controlling the interview sessions so as to ensure that interviewees do not drift away from the needed responses which will effectively test the hypothesis while addressing the research questions. All the responses will be recorded for easy analysis.

Methods for Organizing and Analyzing Data

When it comes to organizing data, there are several procedures that will be undertaken. For the questionnaires, the researcher will organize and enumerate pieces of information based on the similarity of responses. There will be a table that will be fed with information from the questionnaires. For every question posed to the respondents, similar responses will be put together and the numbers taken. On the other hand, due to use of open-ended questions, any information not previously considered by the researcher will be put in a separate category in a manner that will aim at establishing a new pattern. On the other the recorded interviews will be transcribed first and similar responses grouped together. The researcher will be examining whether there are patterns can be established.

When it comes to analysis of the information, quantitative data will be quantified through establishing frequencies, percentages and scores of both sets of data. After these bases have been established, they will compared against each other in order to establish whether there are any differences that can be examined. Further, differences in the two sets of data will be quantified and presented in term of percentages and frequencies. On the other hand, the analysis of the qualitative data will mainly entail putting together similar responses and establishing a distinctive pattern. Data relating to the two groups of learners will be examined and compared against each other to establish whether there is a distinctive attribute. After data analysis has been done, the researcher will utilize visual tools such as graphs and pie charts which will make it easier for a reader to grasp the main findings. Finally, all limitations will be outlined and the future directions of research will be given.

References

Altrichter, H., Feldman, A., Posch, P., & Somekh, B. (2008). Teachers investigate their work: An introduction to action research across the professions (2nd ed.). New York, New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.

Creswell, J. (2013). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc.

Kothari, C. (2009). Research Methodology. New Delhi: New Age International Pvt Ltd Publishers.

Sagor, R. (2000). Guiding school improvement with action research. Alexandria, Virginia: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.