Research Question . NEED HELP ASAP.

Research Proposal Worksheet

What is the research problem? What source can you use to verify that it is a problem?

The increasing problem is the amount of office discipline referrals that causes for Out of School Suspension rates to increase. The more time a student is out of class for behavior concerns, the more instruction they lose throughout the school year. Finding an alternative method of addressing behavior concerns that does not result in missing class time is already identified as a solution. However, identifying the specific method of PBIS that is most beneficial is imperative. The source that I can use to verify this problem is EOG scores and district-wide data.

What is your research question?

What are the effects of a school wide PBIS ‘behavior bucks’ system on office referrals for 7th grade students in second semester?

What variables are in your research question?

The independent variable in my research question is the PBIS ‘behavior bucks’ system. The dependent variable in my research question is the office referrals that 7th grade students received in second semester.

How will you operationalize your research question variables? Write the definitions here.

Independent variable: The PBIS ‘behavior bucks’ system is a school-wide positive behavioral incentive system. This system offers the recognition of positive behavior seen in students. As a form of recognition, students who are identified receives ‘behavior bucks’, a printed copy of a dollar bill with the school mascot replacing the former president. Behaviors that warrant behavior bucks would fall under one of three categories: (a) Be Responsible, (b) Be Respectful, (c) Be Safe. Students can use these behavior bucks to purchase student interest items such as candy, snack, school supplies, etc.

Dependent variable: An office referral is an online documentation of negative behaviors. This documentation can be for a minor incident (ex. being tardy for class) or a major incident (ex. aggressive behavior or fighting in class). A referral can be written by any teacher or administrator in the building. Each student has their individual record of referrals that follows them throughout their duration on k-12 education within the district.

How will you select participants for your study?

The participants for my study will come from a predominately low-income school in a public school district. I will use the Quota sampling method to select the participants. For this study, I will use the single-subject experimental research design. I will randomly select one of the two different interdisciplinary teams in 7th grade at McClintock Middle School.

What measurement instruments will you use to collect the data?

I will use the amount of office referrals received in the second semester as the measurement instruments. These office referrals can be accessed through a system known as ‘Educator’s Handbook’.

What are some possible threats to internal validity you should consider?

What are some possible threats to external validity you should consider?