Curbing Absenteeism among Learners - Essay Example

Developing a research plan and Question Relationship between the research topic, a researchquestion and a set of hypothesis. The research topic, question, and hypothesize provide a basis for the research action. Research topic entails the area of interest for the teacher-researcher. The research topic is later converted to a research question that is inherent in the research topic. The question prompts the teacher-researcher to speculate answers by coming up with tentative intelligent guesses on the possible findings of the study, hence formulating a set of hypothesis in the process (Craig, 2013). Question 2 Research topic: Curbing absenteeism among learners. Research question: How justifiable are the possible causes of absenteeism and what are their implications on performance? Hypotheses (3 types) (i) There is no justifiable reason for absenteeism. (ii) Some reasons for absenteeism are justifiable through their implications on performance may not be established. (iii) Reasons for absenteeism will be established, and their direct implications on performance will be outlined. Question 3 Research topic: Females’ perception of engineering as a male career. Research Question based on Qualitative Research design: What are the perceptions held by females of factors that suggest engineering as a male career? Research Question based on Quantitative research design: What percentage of females regard engineering as a male career? The above two research questions (question three) are identical in one perspective as they both focus on the same specific variable of perception of engineering from a gender perspective. They appear different from another angle as the question based on qualitative research design focuses on multiple realities that can be constructed from different sources, unlike the other question that targets valid statistics. Question 4 Sample correlational research: Drinking Soda may cause teen violence (Fox-news, 2011) Source: Fox News The news outlet shares the results of a study where two groups of teenagers are measured against two variables; tendency to carry weapons and tendency to carry none based on the amount of soft drinks drunk. The study focuses on the effects of nutrition on behavior. The outlet points out that the study does not establish whether soft drinks cause violence. The news outlet does well to focus on the facts realized from the study. It interprets the information right without signs of the misconception. Question 5 Research Question based on Qualitative Research design: What are the perceptions held by females of factors that suggest engineering is a male career? Qualitative Research Design Approaches to use Case study- -Hold an in-depth study of my home state for a period of 1 month on attitude towards engineering through observations, interviews and review of existing document. Ethnographies- Conduct an in-depth study of females and their respective cultures through observations and interviews. Phenomenological studies- Seek many peoples opinions of their perception of engineering through lengthy interviews. Quantitative Research Design Approaches to use Descriptive design- Conduct observational and survey research to collect relevant statistics. Correlational design- Review conducted studies in the same area and interpret statistics by comparing correlation coefficients. Group comparison designs- Gather statistics based on group of females exposed to varying factors in the society. Question 6 A draft of consent letter to students Based on Research Question: What are the perceptions held by females of factors that suggest engineering is a male career? Feb 21st, 2015 Dear [student] My name is Ken Watson. I am a teacher-researcher at Harvard University. I am conducting a research to examine females’ attitude towards engineering and the popular stereotype that engineering is a male career. I am concerned about the career choices made by learners based on gender. I plan to conduct interviews that will involve teachers, students, parents and other members of the society. If you agree to participate, I will ask you to fill out a questionnaire form regarding your dream. Moreover, I would need to know why you chose such careers, how your cultures affect such choices and your opinion on who fits in engineering as a career. Your feedback will help us reshape the school career department, offer relevant career guidance and address your career needs based on such factors as gender. If you do not want to contribute, there will be no consequence involved and your results will not be pretentious. Participation is voluntarily. You can withdraw midway if you want to. Your inconspicuousness will be secured. Any questions regarding the study can be addressed to me through kwatson@hotmail.com Sincerely, Mr. Ken Watson Teacher-researcher Please check one of the following. Yes, I will partake. I comprehend it is voluntarily. I can withdraw later. No. I don’t want to participate. Name Signature. Article 1: The effectiveness of Spalding instruction for spelling performance Author: Margos O’Neill The author is concerned with the need to enhance spelling in young elementary children. Spalding instruction is based on a language art strategy that has a number of positive outcomes for the elementary students. It does provide sequential, multisensory guidance in spelling phonics and handwriting. Learners can diligently put points across in well-written words. They acquire ability to read and write a composition. The young children acquire preferable mental skills while spelling and turn out as better readers and writers. The author conducts his action research at Villa Montessori School from August 2003 to February 2004. He features six teachers and 132 students. His findings are pretty encouraging as a positive gain in the area of concern in special education, average and advanced students. Universally, the learners improved in spelling. He echoes the need for teachers’ expertise in assessment and underscores that effective spelling skills improve writing and reading skills. Article 2: Business Managers’ Network Author: Lori Grant The author conducts his research in Colorado Charter School and is keen to identify the major causes of the failure of the school. The leaders lack business knowledge and fail to see its relevance in management. The school fails to make and avail relevant fiscal data useful in making and execution of decisions. The management is ignorant of accrual requirements in Colorado Chart Accounts. Accounting practices are minimal, and the school is not keen to take advantage of tax exemptions. It is a story of financial mismanagement. The author lays in place some resolutions to get the school back on its feet. They design a business managers’ network that would help communicate matters regularly. There would be need to adhere to relevant fiscal issues to minimize chances of financial mismanagement. A website is designed and put in place to enhance communication between the members. The business managers’ network accrues benefits to the school as members can access accurate and useful financial information. Members amass a great deal of valid knowledge on financial management. Members maintain a positive attitude towards the network. Article 3: Improving school-wide communication through new school website: Responsive action research. Author: Heidi Mitchel The author engages in an action research with an objective to study and identify issues hampering parent-teacher dialogue in his suburban elementary school. He engages with members of the school community who participates in the course of the study. His aim is to establish better communication channels amongst the school stakeholders. He collects data through interviews, questionnaires, and group discussions and manages to find touch with the sentiments of the parents, teachers and learners. The major area of concern is the school website that appears had to access due to cumbersome, unnecessary security features. The content on the website happens to be out of date thus tendency to provide misleading information. Findings reveal need for a new website that would be accessible 24hours a day and 7days a week. There would be links for learners to access instructional materials with frequent teacher feedback and help. There would be online email directory communication for easy access to information. It would be easy to contact homeroom mothers. Family from index would feature to share parents’ hobbies, interests, and skills. The website would provide an easy avenue for volunteers. There was improved cohesiveness in the school community, in the long run. All stakeholders portrayed a positive attitude in support of continuous school improvement. REFERENCES Craig, M. (2013). Action Research: Improving schools and empowering Educators. SAGES Publications Inc. Fox-news. (2011, October 25th). Drinking soda may cause teen violence. Retrieved Feb 21st, 2015, from Fox News: www.foxnews.com/health/2011/10/25/study-drinking-soda-causes-teen-violence/ Read More