DQ 1
According to Bradley (2016) an established theory allows for structure in the case study which assists in developing a comprehensible descriptions of the phenomenon, and this leads to identification of key variables for more in depth-research.
The phenomena in a qualitative study helps the researcher to assess and analyze literature related to the purpose of the study. The phenomena in my selected topic will include the development of a study about the heterogeneous grouping method and its contribution to enhancing reading comprehension skills for fifth grade students. This phenomena informs the method that a qualitative study is needed to develop the case study. It also leads the design by structuring the study in a 5th grade classroom to assess levels of reading comprehension after a series of meetings in a heterogeneous small group setting.
The questions will be worded to address the content of the phenomena, and they will be as follows:
How would heterogeneous grouping assist fifth grade students in enhancing their reading comprehension levels?
From the students' perspective, does heterogeneous grouping help fifth grade students develop better comprehension skills?
In a qualitative study, the data collection instrument will be focused on the target population, or the group of people the researcher wants to generalize findings and draw conclusions after the completion of the study (Bradley, 2016). In this case, the collection instrument will be the population of a fifth grade classroom where heterogeneous grouping is present consistently.
Instruments for data collection will include observations of students' discussions in heterogeneous settings (mixed ability) and a student questionnaire, including reflective questions on the grouping method. The observations are essential to study the students' interactions in a mixed-ability setting. Also, it is important to evaluate the reading discussions amongst students to observe the high performing readers and low performing readers and their roles in the setting. The questionnaire will allow me to study the topic from the students' perspective to assess whether the grouping method assist them in enhancing their reading skills.
Bradley, G. (2016). Role and purpose of chapter 2: Literature review in dissertation research. GCU Research: Analyzing Research, 2016. Retrieved from
http://lc.gcumedia.com/res861/gcu-doctoral-research-analyzing-research/v1.1/#/chapter/8
DQ2
The variables or phenomenon in my study will address the method, design, research questions and data collection instrument through a good literature review. Halfhill (2016) explains that through a good written literature review the researcher is able to tell a story about the phenomenon and the multiple variables being studied. A good written literature review informs the reader of what already has transpired and what types of studies have been published. My study will be a qualitative design format. Two instruments that will be utilized to gather data are questionnaire and interviews. It's very important to explain that a questionnaire is not the same as a survey. The researcher writes a questionnaire, the same set of universal questions is then asked to study participants in order to address the same topics from all participants. Interviews will be the second type of instrumentation that will be utilized in my study.
The interviews would be semi-structured using a set of general core questions. A questionnaire and interview instruments are tools that are utilized in qualitative studies and are instruments that are known to have reliability and validity. When an instrument has reliability, it is able to produce results that are stable and consistent. If the instrument has validity, it means it is able to collect data and is able to measure what it's supposed to measure.
Halfhill, T. (2016). Chapter 8: Methodology and Instrumentation. In Grand Canyon University (Ed.), GCU Doctoral Research: Analyzing Research. Retrieved from
http://lc.gcumedia.com/res861/gcu-doctoral-research-analyzing-research/v1.1/
DQ 3
Phenomenon's addressed in my study are important because not only will they solve problems, but they can improve the welfare of society. The phenomenon is the basis for how I go about conducting my research. The phenomenon will produce reliability and validity in my research (Halfhill, 2016). The phenomenon for which I develop my research questions can establish consistency and replicability of data collection.
Two instruments that I will use to gather data for my study are interviews and questionnaires. My study is to search for everyday realities of a social phenomenon, and I want answers to my questions as they are really practiced. The face-to-face interviews will be conducted using open ended questions to receive as many perceptions and other thought provoking questions as possible. I will need to create the questionnaire questions from both the interviews and literature. The results of the interviews and questionnaires should allow me to analyze patterns in the adolescents influences and knowledge. The results should also lead me to further investigating on the topic to develop further ideas or themes.
References
Halfhill, T. (2016). Chapter 8: Methodology and Instrumentation. In Grand Canyon University (Ed.), GCU Doctoral Research: Analyzing Research. Retrieved from
http://lc.gcumedia.com/res861/gcu-doctoral-research-analyzing-research/v1.1/
DQ 4
The role of the literature review is essential in qualitative research because inductive research starts with grounded theory, phenomenology, and narrative (Bradley, 2016). Understanding prior works related to the studied subject is important to ensure the existence of a gap and to validate the necessity of the research, and this work is included in the literature review.
My plan will be to continue reading current articles and finding new discoveries related to the subject; updating the research is important to keep track of recently completed studies. In the literature review, the following items need to be addressed and included: Historical context related to the topic, identification of the gap, theoretical foundation structured from models, laws, and theories (Bradley, 2016).
I have looked back at many studies regarding students grouping for the purpose of enhancing academic achievement, and I need to continue reading and signifying the existence of the gap. By the time I attend my second residency in May, my plan is to have these three sections mapped. After my visit to GCU, I will receive feedback, which I will need, and I will continue from there.
Bradley, G. (2016). Role and purpose of chapter 2: Literature review in dissertation research. GCU Research: Analyzing Research, 2016. Retrieved from
http://lc.gcumedia.com/res861/gcu-doctoral-research-analyzing-research/v1.1/#/chapter/1