On-line Resources
Research Inquiry Guide by Peter Rich, Ph.D.
- Printout guide identifies the goals, forms, kinds of findings, advantages & disadvantages, and examples of the 4 types of research: descriptive, correlational, experimental, and action research.
- Brief overview covering descriptive, correlational, and experimental types of research.
- Excellent examples of clear, concise research questions for different types of research.
- Resource could be used as an activity in which students would identify questions that appear to be descriptive, correlational, experimental, and/or action research type research studies.
- This site defines and describes the steps within action research.
- Excellent chart included that compares and contrasts action research to formal research.
- This site provides excellent examples of action research on a classroom level. The concept of using classroom data centers are featured.
- Power Point defines descriptive studies, advantages, and data collection methods.
Textbook Clarifications
Module 1: Teaching and Educational Psychology in Ed Psych Modules, Bohlin (2009) p 6-19.
Module 1: Teachers, Teaching, and Educational Psychology in Educational Psychology: Active Learning Edition, Woolfolk (2008) p 2-21.
Action Research in Educational Psychology: Reflection for Action, O'Donnell (2009) p 26.
- This textbook actually gives the most information about it and includes the steps for implementing it.
Children's or Youth Literature
The New York Public Library Kid's Guide to Research by Deborah Heiligman (1998).
- Provides guidance on how to do research, including how to use libraries and their resources, the Internet, and other sources such as interviews and surveys.
- Kids learn about their families, friends, and classmates as they sharpen their observation and data-collection skills.
- Identify how the events of the book best represent descriptive, experimental, correlational, and/or action research. What elements could be added to specifically represent a type of research? Students could re-write the story to model an experimental or another research design.
Religious Resources
Relate Definition and Purpose of Principles
- Identify how the definition and purpose of principles in Educational Psychology is similar to the definition and purpose of principles in gospel doctrine. Reference Guide to the Scriptures: Principle from lds.org to direct discussion.
- Pose the following questions: What type(s) of research appear(s) to be encouraged by our Heavenly Father and Savior for optimal progression? Types of research include: Descriptive Studies, Correlational Studies, Experimental Studies, and Action Research. Ask for students to provide specific examples of different types of research in their lives, in the scriptures, and described by apostles and prophets.
- Discuss the function of principles in the gospel and the related function of principles in educational psychology.