WebQuest Reflection

What?

The four types of educational research & their definitions include:

1. Descriptive Study: Informative assessment of current situations. This type of study reflects current information about events, frequency, people, etc.
   
2. Correlational Study: Investigates the relationship between two variables and the effect they have on each other.
   
3. Experimental Study: The manipulation of variables, including an experimental group and a control (constant) group. Experiments are used to measure changes observed based on the variable that was changed.
   
4. Action Research: Research conducted by teachers, administration, or other school personnel to assess current issues or situations occurring in the areas of their jurisdiction.
   

Each type of research is important and applicable in its own way. Each situation where research is conducted should be examined to determine what type of research is appropriate.

So What?

I have learned that educational research is extremely important in order to understand what works and what doesn't work in education. Each type is important in the appropriate situations. Descriptive studies are useful in determining the actual specifics of situations. They should take on an unbiased view of a situation, and allow you to see a situation through a different lens. Correlational studies are important in order to determine how two attributes or characteristics influence each other. Experimental studies allow you to try out how changes may affect the situation you are in (i.e. how altering your teaching can affect your student's grades). Action research gives you the power as a teacher to conduct research in your own school or classroom. This gives you data applicable to your situation specifically, and it doesn't have to be generalizable to other teachers' situations if you do not want it to be.

Now What?

There is still a lot I do not know about educational research. I would like to learn more about how I can apply large educational research to my own classroom and use it to benefit my students. I would also like to learn more about how to conduct my own action research as a teacher. Doing so would help me be a better educator because I would be able to evaluate the effectiveness of my teaching. Learning to do my own correlational studies would also be beneficial, especially if I have behavioral issues in my classroom, to see which behaviors perpetuate other behaviors.

If I apply educational research to my future classroom, I will be able to better serve my students through effective teaching. Applying behavioral and learning studies will help me understand how best my students can retain information and behave well in the classroom. I can also perform research on myself in order evaluate how I am performing as a teacher.