Module 01 - Session Long Project

For your TUI dissertation researched you will be required to do quantitative research. However, depending on the research problem, and the scope of your proposed research it may also be possible to include a qualitative component in your dissertation research (note: the major part of your dissertation research will need to be quantitative research.)

With this in mind (that your specific application of qualitative research may be a component of your dissertation research) this SLP will require you to examine the topic "mixed methods" within educational research.

You are required to submit modular components of the SLP. The first modular paper will be the foundation, and then each of the following modular components will build on the previous component. Therefore, you need to take care to meet all of the SLP requirements on a module by module basis. (Each modular component will be reviewed, and the final SLP grade will be assigned at the end of module 5).

Module one:

In a 2-3 page paper:

a) explain what the concept "mixed methods" means, and refer to and quote at least 3 background readings in your discussion;

b) what purpose(s) could a qualitative component serve in a "mixed method" study (research);

Requirement: include an APA formatted reference list for the module one section;

Module 2

Identify two articles in Proquest (both articles need to report educational research) that used mixed methods. Write a 2-3 page paper, in which you discuss the following in depth (with reference to both articles)

a) What was the research problem?

b) What type of qualitative methods did the researchers use?;

c) What did the qualitative component contribute to the research? (what were the strengths of the study, because of the qualitative component? what were the shortcomings of the study, because of the qualitative component?

Requirements:

• include an APA formatted reference list for the module two component
• Quote/refer to the content of the article in the paper.

Module 3

Identify any completed TUI education dissertation in Proquest, which used both quantitative and qualitative research (mixed methods) in the dissertation study.

Respond to the following questions in a 2-3 page paper:

1. What were the research problem, and the research questions of the dissertation?

2. What did the qualitative component consist of (which research question did it answer)?

4. How did the student report the qualitative data analysis?

5. What were the strengths and possible shortcomings of the qualitative data analysis and qualitative results discussion (in this dissertation)?

Requirements:

• include an APA formatted reference list for the module two component
• Quote/refer to the content of the TUI dissertation (that used mixed methods) in the paper;

Module 4

In a 2-3 page paper:

a) Identify and discuss your research interest (which may become your proposal topic eventually);

b) Describe the research problem that you intend to examine, (with references to literature)

c) Write the research questions (write at least two research questions: one that will apply to quantitative measures, and one research question that will apply to qualitative measures- indicate which one is which);

d) Identify and discuss the specific qualitative data collection technique that you may use to explore/answer the qualitative research question; (refer to the literature about this method to support your decision, and also to the article and the dissertation that you analyzed in modules 2 and 3)

e) Give examples of the type of items that you would include to do the data collection (for example, if you plan to do interviews, give examples of interview questions that you will use)

Module 5:

In a 2-3 page paper:

Give an overview of your findings in this SLP in the following way:

1) What are the strengths and weaknesses of a "mixed methods" approach to research in EDUCATION (keep the discussion specific to research in education);

2) Which factors would you take into account before you would consider a qualitative component in your dissertation research (refer to the findings, background readings of all the modular SLP papers.)

Expectations:

1. Submit all the modular components in one final paper (between 12- 15 pages long, double spaced);

2. Your scholarly approach should be evident: the content need to be presented in an organized manner, use subheadings, APA formatted references.