0 Ht Wl STUN Woven " , f Wf / 4 CHAPTER 5 Identifying Sources and ~~ ee = Areas for Research Undertaking ~ Research is very broad that can be broken down into several categories. There are several sources of research: primary, secondary, tertiary, documentary, and online sources, Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) At the end of this chapter, students are expected to: * Identify sources for research. Identify researchable areas. NGAGE - —_ Sources for Research Understanding To write a research paper, you have to start well. Research is very broad that can be broken into several categories (Hansen, n.d.): 1. Primary sources are published original writings, reflections, and reports that can be found in periodicals, monographs, conference proceedings, books, theses and dissertations. 2. Secondary sources are published writings and reports that analyze, critique, or report on a primary source and can be found in periodicals and reference books.Tertiary sources are indexes, dictionaries, guides and bibliographies/referentces tha id the researcher In using primary and secondary sources, os Nondocumentary sources are unpublished forms of communication and information which can include interviews, conversations with professionals, students and othe; experts in the fleld. s outae searching. It is seen as Information on the Internet through major searc, engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing. Deciding Whether a Source is Reliable Many sources of information are available. Knowing if the information can be trustey can be difficult. The following are some criteria to consider the reliability of the source, © Where was the research published? : Researchers trust and use research published in credible peer-reviewed scientif; journals. Experts have reviewed studies published in these journals to make sur. they are of high quality. ‘ © How does the new information fit with what is already known? Each research study contributes to an existing body of knowledge. More weigh can be given to findings that support and build on the findings of other research. One study alone is never enough to make a case, it only gives direction about what new research is needed. : . © How does funding influence research? : The ability to report study results without personal bias, is an importar: consideration when conducting research. When reading an article from a funde: research project, you must consider whether the funders of this research hi anything to gain by the results. When research is paid for by a source that does n have an interest in the results, funder’s expectations or preferences were less like to have influenced the results. Areas of Research Interest Selecting a researchable area is one of the most important aspects of social resear’i There are processes considered at the start. Kumar (1996) suggested a set of exercises developing a research project: ‘ Step 1; Select a broad areg of study that interests you, Example; { * School environment / * Academic performance * Parental involvementseep 2: Having selected an area, anal Step 3: lyze ft in order to identify its sub-problem(s). Some sub-areas are: Example: * Academic performance and school environment * Academic performance and Parental involvement eee only a sub-area that would be possible to study within the constraints me resources and expertise. One way to select your sub-area Is to start the process of elimination, Select the sub-area you are very interested in. From the above sub-areas, select a sub-area in which your study in which you would like to conduct eS Here are Some Areas of Research Interest (The Teaching Council, 2015) 1 The Continuum of Teachers Education Examples of possible research topics under this heading: * The professional portfolio * The career entry phase, including induction and probation * Continuing professional development including, individual, school, system © Standards of teaching, knowledge, skill and competence across the continuum Teaching in a Changing Society Examples of possible research topics under this heading: Teaching for diversity, inclusion and special educational needs Teaching for citizenship and moral development Developing, creative, lifelong learners Using ICT for teaching, learning, and assessment3. Pedagogy Examples of possible research topics under this heading: Effective teaching of literacy and numeracy School curriculum policy development and evaluation Assessing for learning/formative assessment Pedagogical approaches and perspective on learning 4. Teaching as a Profession Examples of possible research topics under this heading: Perceptions of teacher professionalism Perceptions of the role of the teacher Collegiality in teaching The development of teaching as a profession (national and international trends) 5. Core Education Principles and Policy Issues Examples of possible research topics under this heading: Supply of and demand for teachers Partnership within education Reconceptualization of the education system towards an improved teaching and learning experience