Impact of Parental Separation on School Engagement: Research Proposal

This research proposal investigates the impact of parental separation on school engagement during middle school years, focusing on students at Campbell High School in Canberra. The study aims to understand how parental separation affects students' academic performance, behavior, and emotional well-being. The proposal includes a literature review examining the causes of parental separation, the importance of school engagement, and the relationship between the two. The research methodology employs a deductive approach, utilizing a descriptive research design and a mixed-methods approach to data collection, including surveys for students and interviews for teachers. Quantitative data will be analyzed using regression analysis, while qualitative data from interviews will be analyzed thematically. The proposal outlines the sampling technique, sample size, and ethical considerations, along with sample questions for both students and teachers. The research seeks to identify effective strategies for improving school engagement among children experiencing parental separation, contributing valuable insights to educational practices and support systems for affected students.

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Research Proposal
Research Topic: Impact of parental separation on the school engagement during middle school
years- A study based on Campbell High School (Canberra)
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
1.0 Research Question, Background and Significance..........................................................................3
1.1 Introduction of the topic..............................................................................................................3
1.2 Research Question.......................................................................................................................3
1.3 Research Objectives.....................................................................................................................3
1.4 Literature Review........................................................................................................................4
1.4.1 The main reason for parental separation...............................................................................4
1.4.2 Importance of school engagement among youngsters..........................................................4
1.4.3 Relationship between parental separation and school engagement......................................5
2.0 Research Methodology....................................................................................................................7
2.1 Research Approach......................................................................................................................7
2.1.1 Justification for Research Approach.....................................................................................7
2.2 Research Design..........................................................................................................................8
2.2.2 Justification for Research Design.........................................................................................8
2.3 Data collection method................................................................................................................8
2.3.1 Justification for Data collection method...............................................................................9
2.4 Data analysis Method..................................................................................................................9
2.5 Five sample question.................................................................................................................10
3.0 Sampling Technique......................................................................................................................12

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3.1 Sampling method.......................................................................................................................12
3.1.1 Justification for sampling method......................................................................................12
3.2 Sample size....................................................................................................................................12
3.2.1 Justification for sample size................................................................................................12
3.3 Recruiting plan for selecting sample size..................................................................................13
4.0 Research Ethics..............................................................................................................................13
5.0 References......................................................................................................................................15

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1.0 Research Question, Background and Significance
1.1 Introduction of the topic
Karibayeva and Bogar (2014) stated that for school students, parent and teachers are
considered as two major educators of the children’s life. Parent’s involvements are important for
the students to get involvement and engagement in the middle school (Karibayeva and Bogar
2014). The academic progress of the children, their development of the language ability,
behavior, general perception towards life and social skills is associated with the involvement of
the parents (Koepke and Denissen 2012). Wang and Sheikh‐Khalil (2014) highlight another main
reason for the distraction of the student in their middle school is parental separation due to which
the academic progress of the student gates affects as they cannot concentrate in their studies.
This research thus aims for finding out different ways due to which parental separation can
impact school engagement during middle school years.
1.2 Research Question
 In what ways can parental separation impact school engagement during middle school
years?
1.3 Research Objectives
 To investigate the ways due to which parental separation impact school engagement
during middle school years
 To suggest effective strategies for improving school engagement among children
witnessing parental separation during their middle school years

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1.4 Literature Review
1.4.1 The main reason for parental separation
According to the report of Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), it has been
found that the main reason for the parental separation is due to communication problems,
changed lifestyle desires, incompatibility and unfaithfulness (Aifs.gov 2018). People nowadays
are more concerned towards self-fulfillment and have less tolerance of unsatisfying
relationships. The report also shows that the difference among the men and their counterparts
leads in abusive behavior that furthermore related to the separation (Aifs.gov 2018). It is also
found in the report that 45% of the people gets separated on their own decision; while, 34%
divorced on the decision by their spouse (Aifs.gov 2018). Lastly, the in the remaining 21% cases,
the decision to get separated is mutual (Aifs.gov 2018).
1.4.2 Importance of school engagement among youngsters
School engagement can also be segregated in different forms. Coleman (2018) stated that
the term behavioral school engagement signifies involvement of a student in form of regular
attendance, following the school regulations and completing the homework regularly within the
time. Another form of school engagement is emotional school engagement that refers to positive
and negative attitudes towards study values, study orientation and student-teacher relationships
(Galindo and Sheldon 2012). Lastly, another form of school engagement is cognitive perspective
on school engagement which shows the technique a student uses to accomplish their regular
studies that is whether they study in-depth or they just memorize the lecture notes (Elder 2018).
The children of divorced parents are more likely to secure a bad grade and lacks performance in
extracurricular activities too. The result of the parental disputes leads to the bad scores in
examinations and repetition of a grade. Thus, the school engagement is essential for the

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development of the children as it allows them to enhance their skills and grab all the knowledge
that is being taught to them in the school (Edwards and Redfern 2017). Wang and Sheikh‐Khalil
(2014) stated that middle school student need more support as they are in the transitional period
and should have to progress for the future.
1.4.3 Relationship between parental separation and school engagement
Lack of family resources
Thomson and McLanahan (2012) stated that the availability of the family resources is
one of the reason due to which some youngsters have difference to growing up in an intact and
non-intact family. Barth (2017) depicted that intact family are the one where both parents are
present. However, family resources can be categorizes into three different parts- financial
resources, human resources and social resources (Shoshani and Slone 2013). Zentgraf and
Chinchilla (2012) stated that students grown up in a financial stabilized family have more school
engagement compared to the family that s suffering from financial hardships. The main reason is
that in financial hardship, parents are more likely to quarrel with each other (Galindo and
Sheldon 2012).
Lack of concentration
Flacking et al. (2012) stated that student have to study more and understand the
knowledge of the middle school syllabus as they have to make their position for the higher
studies. Thus, in such crucial stages if parent develop disputes among them and get separated,
student gets emotionally disturbed. In such cases, they cannot concentrate on their studies and
their academic progress automatically diminished (De Lange, Dronkers and Wolbers 2014).
Leaving the school

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According to the research data of the AIFS, due to financial problems and the disputes
among the parents, in such cases nor the father or the mother desires to take the liability of the
children (Aifs.gov 2018). Thomson and McLanahan (2012) also highlight that in such case the
lack of enough money results in leaving the school after their elementary study. After dropping
out of the school, either the student joins some work for earning money or opted illegal activities
(Song, Benin and Glick 2012).
Failed grades and repetition of school grades
It is found that one out of the two Australian failed in crucial subjects like Science and
Mathematics (The Australian 2018). The OECD report also shows that this problem is mainly
shows in the 15 years children (The Australian 2018). This poor performance of the children
leads to the high risk of dropping out of school which leads to illiteracy among them. It is also
found that 14% of such children remain illiterate (The Australian 2018). Another source stated
that middle school students emotionally disturbed as they need to be get supported and
encouraged by their parents (Familycourt.gov 2018).
2.0 Research Methodology
2.1 Research Approach
Gale et al. (2013) stated that there are two categories of research approaches- inductive
and deductive. Gray (2013) stated that in deductive research approach, the research outcome is
based on theories and concept developed by other research scholar used in the research. Gale et
al. (2013) on the other hand depicted that, in inductive research approach, new theories and
concepts has been developed in order to find a new direction regarding the research topic. In this
research study, the deductive approach will be utilized.

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2.1.1 Justification for Research Approach
The research aims for finding the ways that impacted the academic progress of the middle
school children due to their parent’s separation. Thus, the results of the divorce or separation of
the parents will be identified based on the research carried for developing the literature review in
order to address the research question. Thus, there are no new theory and concept formulated
based on the research topic.
2.2 Research Design
Descriptive and exploratory are two different types of research design and is used to
answer the research question (Vaismoradi, Turunen and Bondas 2013). van Wyk (2012) portrays
that descriptive approach illustrates verification of the developed research question based on the
findings in the literature review and data analysis. On the other hand, exploratory research design
highlights new insights regarding the research topic. In this research, descriptive research design
will be considered.
2.2.2 Justification for Research Design
This research study aims for a well defined research that answers to the question “In what
ways can parental separation impact school engagement during middle school years?” Thus, in
order to answer this research question, a highly structured data will be appropriate. The research
findings from the literature review and data outcome form the analysis will be used to answer the
research question precisely.
2.3 Data collection method
According to McDaniel and Gates (2013), the two different ways to collect the data for
the research study are primary and secondary data collection. In primary data collection, the data

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are gathered directly from the research respondents through the medium of survey, questionnaire,
interview and polls (Wahyuni 2012). Smith (2015) on the other hand stated that some data for
the research are collected through research papers, government sites, academic journals and
company’s websites. These data is known as secondary data collection and is used when a large
demographic has to be covered. In this research study, primary data collection from the students
and teachers of Campbell High School (Canberra) will be considered.
2.3.1 Justification for Data collection method
The research topic will find the impact of parental separation on the school engagement
during middle school years and the answer to this research question will be obtained better from
the primary research. The students will be asked question regarding the problem they faced due
to the separation of their parents through questionnaire. The students are selected as they can
precisely quote their problem and difficulties that they are feeling due to the separation of their
parents. Moreover, the teachers are considered for the interview method in order to know about
the progress of selected students. The teachers are selected as they have the data regarding how
many students repeated grades in the middle school stages and how many of them secured ‘A’
grades.
2.4 Data analysis Method
Data obtained from the research can be analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively (Bernard
2017). Hair Jr et al. (2015) stated that when there is numerical data present while analyzing the
obtained data, it is known as quantitative analysis method. However, when data analyzed is
theoretical in nature, it is known as qualitative data analysis method. In this research study, both
the quantitative and qualitative data analysis method will be used.

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The data gathered from the student will be analyzed through regression analysis in order
to find the relationship between the independent variable “parental separation’ and dependent
variable “school engagement” using Microsoft Excel. However, the data collected from the
teachers of the school through interview will be evaluated theoretically to find the difference in
the academic progress of the student, whose parents are separated to those who do not have such
experience.
2.5 Five sample question
Demographic question
Q1. In which grade you are studying?
 6th Grade
 7th Grade
 8th Grade
 9th Grade
Question on parental separation
Q2. According to you what is the main reason for the separation your parent?
 Physical abuse
 Mismatch in decisions
 Extreme load pressures
 Lack of financial resources
Q3. Do you agree that your parents are not giving you proper assistance in your homework due
to the disputes among them?
 Strongly Agree
 Agree

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 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly Disagree
Question on school engagement
Q4. How far do you agree that your parental separation is the main reason for you to not attend
the school regularly?
 Strongly Agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly Disagree
Q5. Do you agree that the disputes among your parents results in lower concentration in the
study?
 Strongly Agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly Disagree
Interview question
Q1. Did you notice any differences in behavior of the student who suffered parental separation to
those who did not suffered?
Q2. Is there any difference in their academic results among those who do and do not face
parental separation?

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Q3. What counseling activities are present in your school in order to support those children, who
witnessed parental separation and help them to enhance their academic result?
3.0 Sampling Technique
3.1 Sampling method
Probability and non-probability are two different methods to select sample for the
research (Fowler Jr 2013). In probability sampling technique, all the members have the equal
chance to get participated in the research and in non-probability; all the respondents do not get
equal chances to participate in the study. In this research student, non-probability sampling
technique will be selected (McDonald, Mohebbi and Slatkin 2012).
3.1.1 Justification for sampling method
The student only from the 6th to 9th grade will be considered as the research aims for the
finding the impact of the parental separation in the transitional period between elementary school
and that of the high school. Since, not all the students are selected for participating in the
research, the sampling method will be appropriate. Moreover, in case of selecting the teachers,
the non-probability sampling technique is used as only the class teachers for these classes will be
selected.
3.2 Sample size
Nardi (2018) mentioned that the total number of participants of the research is known as
sample size. In this research 200 students are selected for the questionnaire method and 4
teachers each from every grade from 6th to 9th will be considered.

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3.2.1 Justification for sample size
Since, the students from 6th to 9th grade are considered in the middle school; hence, 50
students each from each grade will be considered. Moreover, the class mentors are selected as
they have the report of each students of their respective class on all subjects. Thus, in this way,
the accurate data required for the research to answer the research question will be obtained.
3.3 Recruiting plan for selecting sample size
All the research respondents will be considered from the Campbell High School
(Canberra). The students belong to the middle school are selected so that they can better answer
their situation and the problem they are facing due to the separation of their parents. The class
teachers have all the progress report of the students of their respective classes and thus, these
teachers will be able to report accurate data.
4.0 Research Ethics
This research study will not force anyone to participate in the study and all the research
respondent are provided with a consent form. The consent form will be signed from each one of
the respondent. It will be mentioned in the consent form that the research survey or interview
will no longer take than 30 minutes and all the research respondent will also allowed quitting the
survey anytime they want. Moreover, no respondent will be forced to change their answers
regarding the research questions. All the data gathered from the questionnaire and interview will
be protected under the legislation Data Protection Act 1998. In addition to that, all the data
obtained from the research study will be kept anonymous. The data will not be shared to any
other organization and other people. The research result will also be shared to the respondent in
order to proof that the data are collected for the research purpose only and not for any other

13RESEARCH PROPOSAL
benefits. The data will be stored in the laptop maximum of 1 year and then will be deleted from
there in order to avoid any kind of discrepancy. All the research respondents are also provided
with the contact details of the survey and interview conductor so that an active communication
can be establish and the respondents can ask any details about the data they have provide. Thus
all the research ethics will be followed to conduct this research.

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5.0 References
Aifs.gov., 2018. Family factors in early school leaving. [online] Available at:
https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/family-factors-early-school-leaving/parental-involvement-
protective-factor-against [Accessed 18 Jun 2018].
Aifs.gov., 2018. Towards understanding the reasons for divorce. [online] Available at:
ttps://aifs.gov.au/publications/towards-understanding-reasons-divorce/initiating-separation
[Accessed 18 Jun 2018].
Barth, R.P. ed., 2017. Adoption and disruption: Rates, risks, and responses. Routledge.
Bernard, H.R., 2017. Research methods in anthropology: Qualitative and quantitative
approaches. Rowman & Littlefield.
Coleman, J.S., 2018. Parents, their children, and schools. Routledge.
De Lange, M., Dronkers, J. and Wolbers, M.H., 2014. Single-parent family forms and children’s
educational performance in a comparative perspective: Effects of school’s share of single-parent
families. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 25(3), pp.329-350.
Edwards, V. and Redfern, A., 2017. At Home in School (1988): Parent Participation in Primary
Education. Routledge.
Elder, G.H., 2018. Children of the great depression. Routledge.
Familycourt.gov., 2018. http://www.familycourt.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/fcoaweb/family-law-
matters/parenting/children-and-separation. [online] Available at:
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/education/one-in-two-teens-fail-reading-and-
maths/news-story/3a9a961fb84ece67c675e52c99606871 [Accessed 19 Jun 2018].

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Flacking, R., Lehtonen, L., Thomson, G., Axelin, A., Ahlqvist, S., Moran, V.H., Ewald, U.,
Dykes, F. and SCENE group, 2012. Closeness and separation in neonatal intensive care. Acta
Paediatrica, 101(10), pp.1032-1037.
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