Data Collection, Instruments, and Procedures – Action Research Proposal

[WLO: 1, 2, 3, 4][CLO: 4, 5]

As we have discussed so far in this course, we are using a mixed-method approach for your proposed action research study so you gain experience and skills in using both approaches to collecting data. If you plan to implement your action research in the future, you may need to further consider if your research question lends itself to a more qualitative or quantitative approach to data collection. The mixed-methods design for your proposed study allows you to consider how each method of data collection can support a deeper understanding of your area of focus, the effectiveness of your intervention, and the answer to your research question.

This week you will work on the next section that will contribute to your Final Action Research Proposal by examining both qualitative and quantitative approaches to data collection, generating one instrument you can use to collect data in your study, considering how you will establish trustworthiness in your study, and planning your procedures for data collection. Please be sure to carefully review the Instructor Guidance, the course Anchor Paper, and course readings for this week to inform the development of this assignment.

*

Reminder to Students: Remember to save all copies of your work throughout the course as you will use each assignment as part of the Final Action Research Proposal. For many of the discussions and assignments, you are building on your work each week, so it is appropriate to use content from your discussions in your weekly assignments, generally expanding and extending concepts and sections as you progress from week to week. You will have the opportunity to make revisions to each section of your proposal based on instructor and peer feedback prior to your final version in the Final Action Research Proposal, so be sure to revisit the feedback you have received from your instructor and classmates each week to continuously refine your proposal throughout the course.

• Content Expectations
  • Data Collection – Qualitative: In one to two paragraphs, justify one qualitative (experience-based) instrument that would be used in your proposed study to collect data on the effectiveness of your intervention in answering your research question(s). Provide support from the research, literature, and textbook to explain why this would be an effective method for collecting data.
  • Data Collection – Quantitative: In one to two paragraphs, justify one quantitative (number-based) instrument that would be used in your proposed study to collect data on the effectiveness of your intervention in answering your research question(s). Provide support from the research, literature, and textbook to explain why this would be an effective method for collecting data.
  • Instrument: Design one instrument, either quantitative or qualitative, that you could use to collect data to answer your research question(s) and to determine the effectiveness of your intervention. Remember to review the data collection technique sections in the text and in this week’s guidance to choose appropriate instruments to answer your research question.
  • Data Collection Considerations – Credibility, Transferability, Dependability, and Confirmability: Using Guba’s Criteria of Validity of Qualitative Research, determine how you will establish trustworthiness of your action research study.
  • Data Collection Procedures: In conjunction with your intervention plan, formulate your procedures for collecting data in your proposed action research study. You may use the chart you created for your intervention plan to add in the data collection procedures, or provide a narrative description of your procedures. Be sure to also address how your data collection will reflect trustworthiness and the ethical considerations related to anonymity and confidentiality.
• Research and Resource Expectations
  • A minimum of two scholarly, peer-reviewed sources, in addition to the course textbook, are required.
• Writing and Formatting Expectations
  • Title Page: Must include a separate title page with the following:
    • Title of paper
    • Student’s name
    • Course name and number
    • Instructor’s name
    • Date submitted
  • Academic Voice: Academic Voice is used (avoids casual language, limited use of “I” or first person, it is declarative).Third person dfeclarative
  • Purpose and Organization: Demonstrates logical progression of ideas.
  • Syntax and Mechanics: Writing displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
  • APA Formatting: Papers are formatted properly and all sources are cited and referenced in APA style as outlined 
• Suggested Assignment Length
  • This assignment should be four double-spaced pages in length (not including title and reference pages).