Education Research Design and Methods

Running head: Education Research Design and Methods
Education Research Design and Methods
Student;’s Name
University Name
Author’s Note

2EDUCATION RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Table of Contents
Research Question...........................................................................................................................3
Methodology....................................................................................................................................3
Research Approach..........................................................................................................................4
Research Design..............................................................................................................................4
Data Collection Techniques.............................................................................................................4
Data Analysis...................................................................................................................................5
Addressing Reliability and Validity................................................................................................5
Ethics...............................................................................................................................................6
Questions or Uncertainties...............................................................................................................7
References:......................................................................................................................................9

3EDUCATION RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Research Question
What pedagogical strategies do middle-year science teachers use to engage students in
order to enhance critical thinking and nurture scientific temperament?
The research problem has been chosen because it would provide better insight into the
techniques used by science teachers and the relevancy and effectiveness of these techniques. It is
important to learn about the strategies employed by the science teachers because science is a
subject that is losing attraction, as has been revealed from the literature review. The review also
reveals some strategies proposed by researchers who have conducted previous research in this
field. Therefore, the research question formulated is justified as many researchers have been
done on this but very few have concentrated on studying the strategies used by the teachers
teaching middle-level students Bell (2016). Further, using pedagogical strategies to enhance
critical thinking and nurture scientific temperament of the students studying STEM has been
least focused in previous studies. In this context as well, the research problem formulated is
justified.
The research would help unravel the limitations in the strategies used by the current
middle-year science teachers and provide innovative set of strategies that could enhance critical
thinking. Further, it would allow the science teachers to develop strategies that could cater to the
needs of every student irrespective of their intellectual capabilities. The research is significant
also because, as revealed from the literature review, it would help in finding the prime causes of
the decreasing performance levels of students of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics) stream.
Methodology

4EDUCATION RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Research Paradigm
For the purpose of the study, Constructivism as the research paradigm has been chosen.
According to this paradigm, people construct knowledge socially in the research process and
researchers use the lived experiences of the people to conduct the research. The research
undertaken in this context uses the lived experiences of the teachers. Constructivist paradigm is
used for the present research, as it would record the experiences of the middle-year science
teachers and analyze the pedagogical strategies used by them.
Research Approach
The Research Approach chosen for conducting the research will be deductive. The
deductive approach to research is the fundamental form of valid reasoning. It begins with a
general statement and scrutinizes the probable ways to reach a particular and logical conclusion.
The deductive approach, as opposed to the inductive approach, aims at testing an already present
hypothesis and does not attempt to generate any new theory. The deductive approach has been
chosen research because it attempts to shed light on the existing pedagogical strategies used by
science teachers. As Singh (2015) remarks, the deductive approach to research is an effective
method because it “follows the course of logic precisely”.
Research Design
Qualitative case study will be used for the research on the chosen topic. The researcher
will analyze the case studies related to teaching STEM in science classrooms. It will focus on the
pedagogical strategies used by the science teachers for enhancing students’ critical thinking and
nurturing scientific mentality. Qualitative case study falls under the descriptive research design.