1. EDU 710, Chapter 4
Pages 100-101
1. A research topic is the area of study that the research question falls under. The research question is the
fundamental question inherent in any research topic under investigation. The set of hypothesis are tentative,
but intelligent, informed, predictions about the findings of the study. The three parts should compliment each
other and lead to one another flawlessly.
2. Topic: Interactive White Boards
Research Question: Is there a higher success rate from test scores for students whose teachers are
specifically trained in strategies and techniques with their interactive white boards and continue to receive
follow-up training versus teachers who do not receive adequate training with the technology?
Null Hypothesis: There will be no effect on the students’ test scores if a teacher receives training in
strategies and techniques with their interactive white board compared to a teacher who does not receive
adequate training.
Nondirectional Research Hypothesis: There will be a difference in students’ test scores if the teacher
receives training in strategies and techniques with their interactive white boards and continue to receive
follow-up training compared to a teacher who does not receive adequate training.
Directional Research Hypothesis: Students whose teachers are specifically trained in strategies and
techniques with their interactive white board will perform better than students whose teachers do not receive
adequate training with the new technology.
3. Research topic: Increased weight gain after marriage.
Qualitative Approach: How much weight does the average woman gain after marriage and why?
Quantitative Approach: What is the average weight gain most women experience after marriage?
My questions are different depending on the approach taken because a researcher would be able to ask more
open-ended questions to gain information from a qualitative approach compared to a quantitative approach. It
would be possible to get use the same question and vary the approach because the data will look different, but
the end conclusion could be somewhat similar.
4.
5. The qualitative approach could be done using observational case studies. In this format a researcher
looks at a specific population of people, like married women, and observers their behaviors and choices.
They do run the risk of distorting their data due to the fact that they may not be looking at other factors that
may affect each participant’s weight gain outside of getting married. The researcher will need to get a history
of each participant and interview them to find out what activities and habits may have stayed the same or
changed since getting married. The researcher can then take the observations they have made from each
participant and look for commonalities and reoccurrences amongst all of the data collected in order to come to
a conclusion.
The quantitative approach could be done using observational studies. In this format a questionnaire
could be created that asks participants about their daily habits that have stayed the same and changed since
getting married. For each item a point value can be assigned depending on whether or not it may have lead to
the woman’s weight gain. A researcher can then add up each item’s points and come to a conclusion as to
which items are most likely to attribute to a woman’s weight gain