Week 1 Assignment – Identifying a Research Topic
Overview
The purpose of the Week 1 assignment is to identify possible topics for your research topic and develop and a problem statement and possible research question(s).
Week 1 targets the following Course Learning Objectives
- CLO1: Examine a variety of topics relevant to teaching and learning and reach consensus with colleagues and/or mentor on a problem to be research
- CLO5: Develop a coherent research plan that support instructional planning through data-driven decision-making
Week 1 Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- W1LO1: Collaboratively review campus cultural and/or instructional concerns/issues and choose on for an area of study.
- W1LO2: Describe the purpose of the study.
- W2LO3: Take the weekly quizzes demonstrating your knowledge of the information from the assigned readings.
Part 1: Week 1 Assignment Part 1: Identifying a Research Topic
Directions:
- Meet with a colleague to identify 2 to 3 areas of concern that are pertinent to the field of research.
- In a 1-2 paragraph summary, describe the research that you would like to conduct (although you will not actually be conducting this research in this course), including, the evidence used to identify need, what resources are available to address the needs, and what is a reasonable timeline to address the needs. Be sure to include who your sample would be and how you would access this population.
Part 2: Week 1 Assignment Part 2: Problem Statement and Research Question(s)
Directions:
Based on your meeting with your colleague and the readings from the textbook identify your problem to research. Then, the next step is to “convert” it into a problem statement. The problem statement is a reiteration of the research problem as a complete sentence. The purpose of the problem statement is to guide your study. Refer to the examples in the text. The research statement is the fundamental question inherent in the research topic. It serves as the main guide to the study. The research questions should begin with the word how or what. Do not assume results in the questions. Ask questions that can be answered with data. Write a problem statement followed by your research question(s).
Rubric
Use the following Rubric to guide your work on the Week 1 Assignment.
| PEDG 5307
Week 2 Tasks |
Does Not Meet Minimum Criteria
|
Approaches Minimum Criteria | Meets Criteria | Exceeds Criteria |
| Part 1 Identifying Research Topic (15 points) |
The candidate failed to submit a reflective summary regarding identifying a research topic.
(0 points) |
The candidate presents a superficial and incomplete summary.
AND/OR The submission is 1-2 unfocused, rambling and/or poorly organized paragraphs. AND/OR The submission contains serious grammar and spelling errors. (10 points) |
The candidate submits a detailed summary identifying 2-3 areas of concern.
AND/OR The submission is 1-2 paragraphs with clear presentation of ideas but lacks organization. AND/OR The submission contains occasional grammar or spelling errors. (15 points) |
The candidate submits a balanced, insightful and thorough summary identifying 2-3 areas of concern.
AND The submission is 1-2 well developed paragraphs; demonstrate clarity, conciseness, and correctness; and free of grammar and spelling errors. |
