Assignment #6
By the end of Session #3 you are to post this assignment in the “Assignments†labeled “Assignment #1 Research Proposal.â€
Each student will submit a research proposal on a topic of his or her choice relating to special education.
The purpose of this assignment is to enhance an appreciation for the research process through increasing your understanding of how to conduct your own research within special education.
Writing a Research Proposal:
A research proposal is the presentation of an idea that you wish to pursue. A good research proposal presumes that you have already thought about your project and have devoted some time and effort in gathering information, reading, and then organizing your thoughts.
A research proposal is NOT a project to be thrown together in one night with ideas off the top of your head. Thus, one might say that the research proposal is a second step, following the selection of a broad topic.
The Proposal:
The actual proposal will indicate what analytical question you wish to address.
The foundation of a good research paper is a good research question. Just as a tree needs a good root system to grow to be strong; a good research paper needs a good analytical question.
What does “analytical†mean?:
An analytical question can take different forms and no one form is necessarily better than others.
What all analytical questions have in common is the fact that they are not merely descriptive.
That is, an analytical question moves beyond the “what” and explores the “how,” and the “why.”
A good analytical research paper will use “the what” as part of the answer to “the why.” But it is obligatory to address a question beyond the “what.”
For example, a descriptive paper would ask:
“What was Gorbachev’s economic perestroika policies?”
An analytical paper would ask:
“Why did Gorbachev’s economic perestroika policies fail?”
As part of the paper, you would then review what the policies were, but then you would go beyond that description.
The specific parts of the research proposal are as follows:
1. Statement of the question your paper will answer. Again, remember, the point of your paper is to explain something.
2. Brief literature review in which you review the major works on your topic and indicate what the arguments are. If you are applying a theory to an issue, you can review the theory used. The point is to show an awareness of what has been written on your issue, what evidence was used, what theories applied, and what arguments were made.
3. A statement as to what your argument/explanation will be.
4. A statement as to how your explanation/argument will differ from that, which has been made by other authors. How is your explanation original or different? If you are applying a theory, you can explain which theory you will use and why you think that it is the appropriate theory to explain the event(s) you are interested in.
5. A brief outline of the parts of the paper.
6. A short bibliography/statement as to the major sources you will use. This can include databases, websites, interviews, etc.
7. The proposal does not need to be long, but the quality should be high.
8. Recommendation would be about 3-4 pages for the proposal. The more effort you put into your proposal the better your paper will be. Also, the more detailed your proposal, the more guidance and comments your professor will provide to guide you to a good paper.
9. You should have a proposal prepared and posted by the end of session 3.
10. A proposal which does not follow directions is liable to be returned to you for you to re-do.
General Information on the Paper:
The foundation of a good research paper is a good research question.
Assuming you have your question well defined, the comments below are intended to help you.
If you don’t have a question, it is imperative that you define one before beginning your research.
The paper is to be analytical, not descriptive. So you MUST have a question around which the paper will be organized.
Papers that do not address a research question are subject to being returned ungraded for you to re-do.
Your research paper is intended to be a semester-long project and will be graded as such; hence the early deadline for the outline. In other words, the amount of effort expended is a relevant consideration when evaluating the quality of the paper.
Papers that are clearly “rush jobs” or that had been researched and written during the final weeks of the semester will be penalized accordingly.
General Guidelines:
Below are some general guidelines and instructions that may be of help; for questions relating to your specific paper feel free to consult with your professor.
1. Writing a research paper is a multi-step process. The biggest mistake people make is not allowing enough time. The process consists of at least four distinct phases:
a. research (gathering materials),
b. reading the materials, synthesis of the materials, and
c. writing the paper.
You should start early: most people underestimate how long the first three steps take. These three steps also directly influence the quality of the paper and they are its foundation. Without a strong foundation the paper cannot be strong.
2. In terms of the number of citations you should expect to have around 10-15 different sources, in some combination of books and academic journals. (Weekly magazines like Time, Newsweek, etc. are not considered academic journals. Experience demonstrates that it is necessary to look at 2-3 sources for every one that is actually used, so in the course of researching your question you will look at about 30-45 separate items. Required readings for the class do NOT “count” towards your total; HOWEVER, non-assigned readings from a required text may be used. The point is to get you to expand your exposure by using outside sources.
3. There should be four distinct parts of the paper.
a. The first part, the introduction, should spell out clearly for the reader what the paper is about and what you will do. In this part you should indicate the question you are exploring, the importance of the topic, what the parts of the paper will be, and a summary of your hypothesis or findings. This then will serve as the organization for your paper and you should structure the paper accordingly.
b. The second part of your paper is the literature review in which you review the major works on your topic and indicate what the arguments are. You will want to write this part so that your paper will add to the literature; that is, to be different and original in some way.
c. The third part (broadly speaking) is the body, or research you want to conduct.
d. And the fourth part is the conclusion, summarizing what you expect to find and what your answer is to the question you have posed. For organizational purposes, in the body of the paper I like to use sections to divide the paper.
4. You have three options for notes to the paper:
a. notes in the text,
b. notes at the bottom of the page, and
c. notes at the end of the paper.
Failure to render notes in correct format will lower the paper grade by one-half grade. If you have questions as to correct note format, use APA format (APA website is in the Webliography).
5. The paper is to have a title page, indicating the title of the paper, the course, and your name. You are required to attach your original proposal to the final paper.
6. The paper is to have a bibliography, rendered in correct format. Failure to either include a bibliography or, formatting the bibliographical entries incorrectly, will result in a penalty of one-half grade.
7. The paper is to be typed, double-spaced using normal margins, spell-checked, and grammatically correct.
8. NUMBER YOUR PAGES, BEGINNING WITH PAGE TWO, WHICH FOLLOWS THE TITLE PAGE. IN OTHER WORDS,THE FIRST PAGE IS THE TITLE PAGE WHICH IS NOT NUMBERED, AND THEN FIRST PAGE OF TEXT WILL BE PAGE TWO.
9. The paper should use normal font size (12 point) and use regular print (no bold print).
10. For questions about any of the above, or specific questions about your paper, feel free to consult with your professor during classtime, office hours, or by email.
11. Where People Lose Points:
a. A number of common errors result in the loss of points. Thus, you should pay attention to these pointers to avoid that happening to you.
b. A badly written paper will mask even good research. Leave time to do at least two drafts.
c. Do not turn in a FIRST DRAFT.
d. Ask a peer reviewer to read the final draft.
e. A paper that does not follow directions, that is, one that is purely descriptive instead of analytical, does not fulfill the assignment. Therefore, follow the directions that have been given to you, and if you do not understand, then ask for assistance.
f. A paper that does not use the correct format for note and bibliography loses points. Again, use APA format. Failure to render the correct format as a sign of failure in the research course.
Other Resources:
Selected Special Education Journals (available full-text online through Libraries):
Exceptional Children
Exceptionality
International Journal of Disability, Development, and Education
International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders
Intervention in School and Clinic
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities
Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Journal of Learning Disabilities
Journal of Special Education
Learning Disabilities Research and Practice
Learning Disability Quarterly
Remedial and Special Education
Teacher Education and Special Education
Teaching Exceptional Children
Topics in Early Childhood Special Education
Professional Organizations:
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) – http://www.cec.sped.org/
Research Division (http://www.cecdr.org/index.cfm), free e-newsletter
American Educational Research Association (AERA) – http://www.aera.net/
Special Education Research Special Interest Group (SIG), many other SIGs and Divisions
American Evaluation Association (AEA) – http://www.eval.org/
PreK-12 Educational Evaluation, Special Needs Populations Topical Interest Groups (TIGs)
Education Week:
http://www.edweek.org/ – free weekly e-newsletter on K-12 news, analysis and research for teachers and administrators
Scientific Research in Education:
What Works Clearinghouse (U.S. Department of Education) – http://www.whatworks.ed.gov/
Shavelson, R., & Towne, L. (Eds.). (2002). Scientific research in education. Washington,
DC: National Academy Press.
(Available for skimming and purchase online at http://books.nap.edu/books/0309082919/html/)
· Scientific research in education (special section). (2002). Educational Researcher, 31(8),
4-29.
APA Style:
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
(Available for purchase online at http://www.apastyle.org/)
PPT located in Doc Sharing with APA Format
Purdue University Online Writing Lab. (2002). Using American Psychological
Association (APA) format: Updated to 5th edition. Retrieved August 30, 2005, from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_apa.html
Chapter One (Introduction)
Use the templates located in doc sharing to write the first draft for Chapters 1 and 2 (the introduction and background). Refer to the “Writing Guide and Researcher Guide, as well as the “Recipe Handbook: Capstone Research Project, all located in doc sharing.
This assignment will be due at the close of session #4.
The purpose of this assignment is to provide a framework for writing the first draft of the introduction.
Review the information below and then; use this information to continue refining your paper. Make sure to read the TEMPLATES TO ENSURE YOU HAVE ALL SECTIONS REQUIRED.
The bullets listed below are the pieces you will need to incorporate in to the Introduction.
Introduction
· Do not need any sub-organizers (no sub-tittles) in the introduction section.
· In 3 to 5 paragraphs, use a special way of getting the readers’ attention and raisin their curiosity to read further.
· Use an essay format Consider a distinctive anecdote vignette or a transcript of a conversation.
· In 1 or 2 closing paragraphs, of the essay, briefly identify the basic topic, issue, or concern which was the focus of your research study,
· Do not state your full, refined research question yet.
Note: Remember the basics for writing a paragraph & essay:
· Topic sentence,
· detail sentences, and
· wrap-up sentence
At this point: you need:
· to go back and examine the APA format
· Avoid writing too many of your own opinions and
· make an effort to connect research (include references to your statements),
· there must be a balance between a narrative from the perspective of your professional experience and how you integrate research into your own piece.
· Look at different drafts available in doc sharing and also look at published articles.
· Focus on how the author included references (this is the hard part during the process of getting the research paper going).
Chapter Two (Background)
Read the following information. Work on the draft for Chapter Two of your research paper. The information below is to provide a framework/template in order to develop the second chapter of the research paper.
* Chapter 2 is the Background and is due on week 5. Points: 10
Background has several components and sub titles (Personal Contexts, Review of Literature, Terms Defined, Assumptions and Beliefs):
Personal Contexts :
Start this section with a description of how you discovered and became interested in your study topic and issues. Include Observations of students and reflections on your own experience Include Interactions with other staff about issues related to your topic, Experiences with special projects and other recent studies, workshops or institutes. Include all of your personal past attempts in addressing or dealing with your topic concerns and issues.
Again go the essay route; Begin with a topic paragraph, 3 to 4 detail sentences, and wrap it up with one paragraph.
1st or 3rd?
This is where you need to decide if you are going to use the voice of : 1st person or 3rd person. IF you are conducting Action Research: you might consider using 1st person . “I was interested in…..” If you are conducting quantitative or mixed methods: I recommend 3 rd person “The author examined effective reading comprehension strategies for children with learning disabilities in a second grade level…”
Present of Past Tense?
Please remember to write the draft and IRB in future tense and to write the research paper in past tense.
Review of Literature:
Describe and comment on how other published educators (from your search) have….
· Addressed your topic and concerns
· clarified and defined terms
· affirmed the value of issues
· expressed their guided beliefs
· recorded results of using specific activities or approaches
· used helpful “categories†for analysis
· revealed some of the benefits or needs
· reflected on further needs to explore
· provided specific strategies or approaches for you to try out
Terms Defined:
· List and give specific meanings to any specific defined concepts you used in your study.
Assumptions and Beliefs:
· You need to identify the theoretical assumptions or beliefs which guided your study, including your theoretical beliefs of……Learners, learning, SPED Curriculum, diversity, SPED practices, disability studies etc.
Post a draft of your research design, what are you planning to do at this point and why?
Follow the template for the research design provided in the “Research Guide,” located in Doc Sharing (step #4).
Include sections for:
• Participants
• Setting
• Planned Activity
• Methods of Data Collection
• Data Analysis
Be sure you look at samples of other research papers and published papers.