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McMillan
Educational Research: Fundamentals for the Consumer, 6e
2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Educational Research: Fundamentals for the Consumer Woolfolk / Perry Child and Adolescent Development 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Sixth Edition McMillan Educational Research: Fundamentals for the Consumer, 6e 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Discussions and Conclusions Chapter 13 McMillan Educational Research: Fundamentals for the Consumer, 6e 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
3 Discussion Topics Purpose and nature of the discussion Interpretation of the Results Conclusions Limitations Recommendations and Implications Criteria for evaluating discussion and conclusions sections of a report McMillan Educational Research: Fundamentals for the Consumer, 6e 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
4 Purpose and Nature The purpose of the discussion section is to present an interpretation of the results, the conclusions, and recommendations for further study An evaluation of the methodology and results to help readers understand what the results mean and how they can be used Integrates the research problem, review of the literature, and results Speculates about the implications of the results through a synthesis of the study reflecting the professional judgment of the researcher McMillan Educational Research: Fundamentals for the Consumer, 6e 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
5 Interpretation of the Results An analysis of the results focusing on factors that might help explain them Interpretations related to the problem and/or hypothesis Restatement of the research question Interpretation of how well the data answers the question Importance of the readers critical analysis of these interpretations Interpretations based on theory McMillan Educational Research: Fundamentals for the Consumer, 6e 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
6 Interpretation of the Results Interpretations related to methodology Selection of participants Measurement of variables for quantitative and mixed-method studies Experimental interventions for quantitative and mixed-method studies McMillan Educational Research: Fundamentals for the Consumer, 6e 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
7 Interpretation of the Results Interpretations based on analyzing data Quantitative Errors in reporting statistical results Violation of assumptions of the statistical procedures Use of appropriate statistical procedures, particularly in multivariate studies Statistical and practical significance Qualitative Development of data coding scheme Use of constant comparison Approach to document review McMillan Educational Research: Fundamentals for the Consumer, 6e 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
8 Interpretation of the Results Interpretations related to previous research Most common feature of discussion sections Places results explicitly in the context of other research and whether or not its consistent Enhances the contribution of the new research to a recognized body of literature McMillan Educational Research: Fundamentals for the Consumer, 6e 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
9 Conclusions Summary statements of the results as they pertain to the research problem Can be found in various locations in the discussion section Should include indications of why the conclusions are supported McMillan Educational Research: Fundamentals for the Consumer, 6e 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
10 Conclusions Limitations Seven factors or variables that need to be considered in using the conclusions Participant characteristics Population validity - generalizability to other individuals Comparison of the sample, sampling frame, and target population Comparisons across subjects within the sample Contextual characteristics Ecological validity - generalization to other settings, times, treatments, or measures McMillan Educational Research: Fundamentals for the Consumer, 6e 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
11 Conclusions Seven factors (continued) Methodology Non-experimental designs drawing causal conclusions Experimental studies drawing causal conclusions when internal validity is weak When the research is conducted Interventions Explication of the intervention Hawthorne Effect - the effects of individuals realizing they are participating in a study McMillan Educational Research: Fundamentals for the Consumer, 6e 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
12 Conclusions Seven factors (continued) Measures Validity Reliability Concerns related to overly strict analysis of limitations McMillan Educational Research: Fundamentals for the Consumer, 6e 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
13 Conclusions Recommendations and implications Statements suggesting future action as a result of the study Focus on methodological issues Focus on practice McMillan Educational Research: Fundamentals for the Consumer, 6e 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
14 Evaluation Criteria The results should be adequately interpreted The conclusions should answer the research questions The conclusions should be limited by participant characteristics and selection The conclusions should be limited by the nature of the interventions, and measures McMillan Educational Research: Fundamentals for the Consumer, 6e 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
15 Evaluation Criteria Statistical and practical significance are discussed separately Failure to show statistical significance does not mean there is not relationship or difference Limitations should be reasonable Recommendations and implications should be specific