Question 1: Explain the key differences between descriptive and experimental research.
There are some key differences between descriptive and experimental research. Descriptive research is often used in new areas in which little prior knowledge currently exists about a field of study; with experimental research, prior knowledge is utilized to conduct a more refined study to determine if a causal effect exists by comparing control and experimental groups. With Descriptive research, there is no manipulation of variables involved, and are studied in natural environments; with experimental research, there are strong controls of several variables to determine their impact on the outcome of the research by controlling the environments people are placed in. Descriptive seeks to answer What is happening? Why is something happening? How is something happening?. Experimental research seeks a specific causal effect, such as Why does Flouride in drinking water reduce cavities?
Question 2. Explain correlational research.
Correlation research is a research design that attempts to discover relationships between two or more variables. This type of research may be performed with intact or predetermined groups, and do not require random sampling. An example of this can be the number of hours studying per week and grades in school.
Question 3. Explain the key differences between quantitative and qualitative research.
In Qualitative research, information is collected through observation, interviews, description of events and other open-ended means. In such research, the researcher can exercise more options in what information to gather. In quantitative research, the information being sought is very specific, which can be quantified and measured to be used and compared in several ways. This research often seeks specific conclusions, for which data is collected to either confirm or disprove. In Qualitative research, no environmental controls are put into place, and subjects are studied in natural settings. Quantitative research usually contains control and experimental groups to exclude the impact of certain environmental factors and isolate others. Qualitative research is used to understand a field with much depth and complexity; Quantitative research studies specific, measurable phenomena to determine cause and effect.
Question 4. What is action research?
Action research is often used in educational settings and is a usually a form of descriptive research. It involves implementing a program within a classroom or school for which data is collected and used to determine effectiveness of a program. The cycle of collecting and analyzing data to evaluate and improve a program's implementation is used to determine a its effectiveness in the classroom or school it is being implemented. Because such information is often performed in isolation, results are not necessarily transferable to the general population.
Such programs that engages in a type of action research are Professional Learning Communities.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Assignment 2, Belmont Report
1) What were some of the events the caused the Belmont Report to be Written?
The development of rules governing ethical human research manifested as a result of the atrocious human biomedical research committed at concentration camps during the Second World War. These ethical standards became the Nuremberg Code, which were applied to Physicians and Scientists who conducted such research on concentration camp prisoners to determine their guilt or innocence in how they followed or violated these standards.
Over the next 30 years, complex situations arose that caused different rules to conflict. Additionally General rules were often difficult to apply in several particular situations, and were left open to interpretation. To address this, the National Research Act of 1974 was signed into law, which led to the creation of the National Commission for the Protection for Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research.
The Belmont Report is the product of this Commission's work, which provides general outlines for Basic Ethical Principals and for the means to apply them in research.
2) What are the "Basic Ethical Principles" cited in the Belmont Report?
There are three basic ethical principals cited:
1. Respect for Persons
2. Benificence
3. Justice
Respect for Persons ensures that the person is informed about the potential risks of such research and is competent to understand what those risks entail. Children or elderly people with failing mental faculties would not be ethical candidates to select. Additionally, prisoners or other people in compromised positions could also pose ethical dilemmas.
Benificence encompases two interrelated ideas:
a) do no harm
b)maximize possible benefits and minimize potential harm
One example of research which exemplifies do no harm includes when placing Flouride in drinking water for the experimential group of children while doing nothing for the control group. This research yielded far fewer cavities for the experimental group. One counterexample of research the maximized potential harm was conducted during the 1930's at Tuskegee; this entailed African-American men who were left untreated with Syphillis and died as a result. The purpose of the research was to document the different stages of the disease. Although, potential negative outcomes of research may not be forseen, in the instance they emerge, consideration for further experimentation should be considered.
Justice considers questions as to what people or groups of people may benefit from research versus which should be burdened by it. Some accepted considerations include that all be treated equally; some will benefit based on need; others benefit based on what a person can contribute to socitey.
3) How are the "Basic Ethcial Principals" assured in research practice?
The tools to ensure basic ethical principals include:
1. Informed consent
a. Information
b. Comprehension
c. Voluntariness
2. Assessment of risks and benefits
a. The nature and scope of risks and benefits
b. The systematic assessment of risks and benefits
3. Selection of Subjects.
People consenting to research should have all availbe information about the research available to them, and should clearly understand benefits and consequences. Documents signed that outline should provids such information clearly and be free of obfuscation. Potential subjects should be willing participants in conducting research and should not be intimidated or coerced by superiors or as a result of an existing medical condition. Finally, patients should have an equal opportunity to be selected for such research as parameters of the research allows. Limitationis to this may include research into conditions which may apply to a narrow group of people.
The development of rules governing ethical human research manifested as a result of the atrocious human biomedical research committed at concentration camps during the Second World War. These ethical standards became the Nuremberg Code, which were applied to Physicians and Scientists who conducted such research on concentration camp prisoners to determine their guilt or innocence in how they followed or violated these standards.
Over the next 30 years, complex situations arose that caused different rules to conflict. Additionally General rules were often difficult to apply in several particular situations, and were left open to interpretation. To address this, the National Research Act of 1974 was signed into law, which led to the creation of the National Commission for the Protection for Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research.
The Belmont Report is the product of this Commission's work, which provides general outlines for Basic Ethical Principals and for the means to apply them in research.
2) What are the "Basic Ethical Principles" cited in the Belmont Report?
There are three basic ethical principals cited:
1. Respect for Persons
2. Benificence
3. Justice
Respect for Persons ensures that the person is informed about the potential risks of such research and is competent to understand what those risks entail. Children or elderly people with failing mental faculties would not be ethical candidates to select. Additionally, prisoners or other people in compromised positions could also pose ethical dilemmas.
Benificence encompases two interrelated ideas:
a) do no harm
b)maximize possible benefits and minimize potential harm
One example of research which exemplifies do no harm includes when placing Flouride in drinking water for the experimential group of children while doing nothing for the control group. This research yielded far fewer cavities for the experimental group. One counterexample of research the maximized potential harm was conducted during the 1930's at Tuskegee; this entailed African-American men who were left untreated with Syphillis and died as a result. The purpose of the research was to document the different stages of the disease. Although, potential negative outcomes of research may not be forseen, in the instance they emerge, consideration for further experimentation should be considered.
Justice considers questions as to what people or groups of people may benefit from research versus which should be burdened by it. Some accepted considerations include that all be treated equally; some will benefit based on need; others benefit based on what a person can contribute to socitey.
3) How are the "Basic Ethcial Principals" assured in research practice?
The tools to ensure basic ethical principals include:
1. Informed consent
a. Information
b. Comprehension
c. Voluntariness
2. Assessment of risks and benefits
a. The nature and scope of risks and benefits
b. The systematic assessment of risks and benefits
3. Selection of Subjects.
People consenting to research should have all availbe information about the research available to them, and should clearly understand benefits and consequences. Documents signed that outline should provids such information clearly and be free of obfuscation. Potential subjects should be willing participants in conducting research and should not be intimidated or coerced by superiors or as a result of an existing medical condition. Finally, patients should have an equal opportunity to be selected for such research as parameters of the research allows. Limitationis to this may include research into conditions which may apply to a narrow group of people.
Assignment 1, Indroduction
My name is Jeff Burke and I work as a math curriculum specialist for the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. My work mainly involves working with teachers and students in alternative education and juvenile court schools. I really enjoy the opportunity to learn from and work with such great people that devote themselves to our high-risk students. I also teach math part-time at Crafton Hills Community College.Since moving to California from New York three years ago, I have been fortunate to enjoy many opportunities to learn and to work to impact many students' lives. I believe that Instructional Technology may hold the key for many students to improve their chances at learning and breaking the cycle of poverty to become successful adults.
In my spare time, I enjoy travelling my newly adopted state and the world. The picture above was taken in London with fellow teachers. I hope to travel to Japan next year and visit my distant relatives in Germany.
Anyone with questions about teaching in the juvenile court school or in alternative education, please feel free to reply. Also, if anyone is familiar with any quality instructional technology programs that are helping their students, please let me know about them. I look forward to your comments.
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