Education Final 4 Part Assignment

6-1: Project 3: Observation Due February 22

Purpose 

This assignment is designed to help you: 

· Develop an observation plan that effectively captures qualitative data. 

· Conduct an observation and collect detailed field notes. 

· Code and analyze observation data using qualitative data analysis techniques. 

· Reflect on the process and discuss challenges and insights gained from the experience. 

Overview 

This assignment involves conducting and analyzing an observation to explore a specific research question. Through this process, you will gain hands-on experience with qualitative data collection and analysis techniques, including designing an observation plan, conducting the observation, and coding the data for thematic analysis. The skills you develop through this exercise – to use your senses and to be objective – are the tools you will need to conduct a qualitative research study.

Action Items

1. Observation Design (Week 6)

· Research Question: Select one of the scenarios below and identify a specific research question to guide your observation. Ensure that the question is suitable for qualitative inquiry. 

· Observation Plan: Develop a detailed observation plan that includes the setting, participants, and specific behaviors or events you will observe. Ensure that your plan aligns with your research question. Try to observe the space on multiple occasions so you can compare and contrast your findings.

Scenarios: 

You are interested in visitor engagement in spaces such as museums or zoos. Your goal is to understand how visitors interact with exhibits, their engagement levels, and the overall visitor experience.

2. Observation Implementation (Week 6)

· Conducting the Observation: Carry out the observation according to your plan, taking detailed field notes that include both descriptive and reflective information. 

· Ethical Considerations: Adhere to ethical guidelines, which in this case means making public observations only and recording them via pen and paper.

· Non-Participant vs. Participant Observation: Decide whether you will be a non-participant observer (observing without interaction) or a participant observer (actively engaging in the setting). Justify your choice and discuss its implications for data collection.

3. Data Coding and Analysis (Week 7)

· Transcription: If necessary, transcribe your field notes, ensuring that all relevant details are captured. 

· Coding: Develop a coding scheme to categorize your observation data. Use qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo, Atlas.ti) or manual coding techniques to identify themes and patterns in the data.

· Thematic Analysis: Conduct a thematic analysis of the coded data to identify key themes and insights related to your research question.

4. Write-Up

· Description: Provide a clear overview of your observation, including the research question, observation plan used, and the process of data collection and analysis. 

· Discussion: Summarize the key findings from your analysis and explain how they relate to your research question. Discuss the broader implications of your findings and acknowledge any limitations of your study.

· Reflection: Reflect on the process of designing, conducting, and coding the observation. Discuss challenges encountered and how they were addressed.

· Your paper should be 3-4 pages in length and double-spaced, using APA formatting. 

8-1: Project Presentation Due February 28

Purpose 

This assignment is intended to help you learn to do the following: 

· Present academic work professionally. 

· Apply critical thinking to research design, data collection, and analysis. 

· Address ethical considerations in qualitative research. 

Overview 

For this assignment, you will select one of the qualitative data collection assignments you completed during the course and prepare a recorded presentation. The presentation should contain 7-10 slides and last no more than 10 minutes.  

Action Items 

1. Create a presentation that covers the following points:

a. Introduction:

· Briefly introduce the research topic and the specific qualitative data collection assignment you selected.

· Present the problem statement and what your research sought to address (research objectives).

· Explain the significance of the research and the rationale for choosing this particular assignment.

b. Writing a Primary Research Question:

· Describe the process you followed to write your primary research question.

· Provide the primary research question you developed and explain how it aligns with your research objectives.

c. Developing the Data Collection Instrument:

· Explain the steps you took to develop the data collection instrument (e.g., open-ended survey, interview protocol, observation checklist).

· Include your instrument (in full or in parts), as relevant.

· Discuss the rationale behind the design of your instrument and how it addresses your research question.

d. Data Collection Process:

· Discuss the steps you took to collect the data, including any tools or techniques you employed.

· Highlight any challenges you faced during the data collection process and how you addressed them.

e. Data Analysis Process:

· Discuss the steps you took to code and analyze your data.

· Summarize the key findings from your data collection.

· Provide examples or excerpts from the data to illustrate your findings.

· Discuss how these findings contribute to the overall research objectives and questions.

· Explain how your study and findings answer the 'so, what?' question.

f. Reflection:

· Reflect on the strengths and limitations of the data collection method you used.

· Discuss the ethical challenges of your research and how you addressed them.

· Discuss sound research design and study alignment.

· Consider how the method impacted the reliability, validity, and/or trustworthiness of your findings.

· Share any insights or lessons learned from the data collection process.

2. Submit the completed first draft of your assignment. Your work will automatically be checked by Turnitin. 

. Ensure your presentation is visually engaging, with clear and concise slides.

. Use speaker notes or an outline to guide your discussion.

. Rehearse to stay within the maximum 10-minute time limit.

3. Access your Turnitin report by reviewing your Submission Details for this assignment. Revise your work as needed based on the feedback.

4. By the due date indicated, re-submit the final version of your work. 

8-2: Final Reflection Due February 28

Purpose 

This assignment is intended to help you:  

· Develop self-awareness and reflexivity in qualitative research. 

· Critically engage with course assignments and research activities. 

· Document personal growth and learning throughout the course. 

Overview 

As we conclude this qualitative methods course, it's time to reflect on your research journey and the work you've done. This final reflexive journal submission is an opportunity to critically analyze your experiences, the strengths and limitations of the methods you used, and the valuable lessons you've learned. Please address the following points in your journal:

1. Reflection on Work Done:

· Describe the key research activities you undertook during this course. What were the main objectives and outcomes of your research projects?

· Reflect on the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. What strategies did you employ to navigate these challenges?

2. Limitations of Methods Used:

· Critically evaluate the qualitative methods you used in your data collection assignments. What were the strengths and weaknesses of these methods?

· Discuss any limitations you encountered in your data collection and analysis processes. How did these limitations impact your research findings?

3. Lessons Learned:

· Reflect on the knowledge and skills you have gained throughout this course. How has your understanding and approach to qualitative research evolved?

· Identify specific insights or techniques that you found particularly valuable. How will these inform your future research endeavors?

4. Personal and Professional Growth:

· Consider how this course has contributed to your growth as a researcher. What personal and professional development have you experienced?

· Reflect on how you will apply the lessons learned in this course to your ongoing and future research projects. 

Action Items 

1. Reflect on your learning throughout the semester using the prompts listed above. Consider insights gained from course materials in addition to the qualitative research activities conducted throughout the course. Be sure to include any significant "aha" moments that supported your changing thought process. 

2. Write a 5- to 6-page journal entry (typed, double-spaced) using APA guidelines.

3. Submit the completed first draft of your assignment. Your work will automatically be checked by Turnitin. 

4. Access your Turnitin report by reviewing your Submission Details for this assignment. Revise your work as needed based on the feedback. 

5. By the due date indicated, re-submit the final version of your work.

Research Paper 6: Research Proposal Due February 28

Purpose

This assignment is intended to help you learn to draft an effective quantitative research proposal.

Overview

Write the final draft of your research proposal. Build on the work you’ve completed throughout the course from identifying research problems, selecting a design framework and specific methods, to validity and reliability discussions, to ethical issue considerations. Carefully examine and incorporate the feedback you received from your professor and your classmates.

Writing is an iterative process for both your research plan and your future dissertation. Although you might be tempted to only use what you’ve already created during the course, we strongly encourage you to think through all that you’ve learned, creatively examine your work, and challenge yourself to make your project stronger. In particular, consider the data that you will collect, the analyses you will conduct, and the findings/conclusions/recommendations you will make. These will be important components for your future dissertation. You are also encouraged to consult your advisor and seek their feedback. Hard work will pay off. Good luck!

In an APA-formatted Word document, draft your research proposal. Include the sections below, using headingsLinks to an external site. to distinguish them:

1. Purpose statement

2. Research problem(s)

3. Research questions and hypotheses

4. Audiences who will find this study of interest

5. Relevant theory, concept, and/or practice which relates to your project

6. Literature review (Brief, not to exceed 3 paragraphs)

7. Relevant background of the research site in which you intend to conduct the study.

8. Research design and methods

9. Data collection plan (including permissions)

10. Population, sample, and sampling plan (as appropriate)

11. Potential ethical issues and strategies to address them

12. Threats to validity (internal and external, as appropriate)

13. Data collection instruments (in an appendix).

Note: Please use Calibri 11-point font (the default Word font) for this assignment.

Action Items

1. Read the assignment rubric.

2. Write your research proposal according to the directions in the Overview.

3. Submit the completed first draft of your assignment. Your work will automatically be checked by Turnitin.

4. Access your Turnitin report by reviewing your Submission Details for this assignment. Revise your work as needed based on the feedback.

5. By the due date indicated, re-submit the final version of your work.