Session 1: Data Analysis and Research Methods

What is Data Analysis?

Let's get started with the tutorials by exploring the resources below to build a foundational understanding of data analysis.

  • Read Bowen & Bartley (2014) Chapter 1 - Introduction: Data and Science (pp. 3-11).
  • Review the Data Analysis  presentation below.
  • Read Mertler (2020) Chapter 6 - Analyzing Data (pp. 172-197).

Questions to ponder

Research Methods

During the capstone project, you’ll be asked to share your research methods in the methodology section of your action research paper (Chapter 3). Essentially, research methods “are the systematic tools used to find, collect, analyze, and interpret information” (SAGE Research Methods, 2021). As the action researcher, you’ll use your research questions to help you decide what research methods you’ll implement and how you’ll analyze the data collected during your study. As you move through the MSSE core education courses, you'll complete each stage of the action research process as shown below.

Research Design

For your capstone project, you’ll implement a mixed-method research design. What does this mean? To read more about each research design and why mixed method is a valuable design for action research, review the image below and read Mertler (2020) on the following pages:

  • Mixed-Methods Research Design, pp. 106-108.
  • Quantitative Research Design, pp. 98-106.
  • Qualitative Research Design, pp. 93-98.

Why is a mixed-method research design valuable?

Using the interactive below, listen to two videos sharing why MSSE faculty think mixed-method research is a valuable approach to use when conducting action research in education. 

 
For videos with closed caption please visit: Jessi’s Video and John’s Video

Question to Ponder

Mixed-Method Research in Action: MSSE Exemplar Capstone Papers

Now that you have a better understanding of what data analysis is and a basic understanding of the research methods & designs, let's take a moment to click through a few examples of Chapter 3: Methodology of MSSE capstone papers. As you review the papers, think about the following questions:

  • What do you notice or wonder about Ch. 3?
  • What language in the research questions tell you the capstone project is mixed-methods research?
  • How do the data collection instruments (i.e. surveys, interviews, test scores) help the teacher answer their research questions?
  • How do the data analysis techniques help the teacher answer their research questions?
  • How do or don't these papers meet the MSSE 575 Capstone Paper Rubric criteria for the Methodology section of the paper?

End of Session Reflection

Questions to Ponder

 

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