Scott Edward Moran, Ph.D.
moran.scott1@gmail.com 210-269-7531
On this page, you will find...
Tasks
1. Consider Research Process-Steps 1-4
2. Consider Research Process-Steps 5-8
3. Stations and research
4. Reflection
5. Accountabillity
Please watch the video below. This video will introduce you to Library Databases.
Scott Moran via YouTube @scottmoran3078
Remember the essential questions you drafted earlier in this unit? They will become your focus now. Your teacher will assist you as you learn to use the Library Databases.
Assignment
Your task is to find at least three sources that "answer" your essential questions. You may also choose to formulate new questions related to your topic if you wish. Use the digital notecards below to document your sources and copy key information you can use in both your multimedia presentation and your persuasive letter. You are not limited to these databases with regard to the information you need to become further educated in terms of your SDG.
Research Paper Scaffold PDF
Example product
The Research Process (Steps 1-4)
Step 1: Identify the Problem
A well-defined problem will guide the researcher through all stages of the research process, from setting objectives to choosing a technique. There are several approaches to gaining insight into a topic and understanding it better, such as:
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A preliminary survey
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Case studies
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Interviews with a small group of people
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Observational survey
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Defining key words for searches
Step 2: Evaluate the Literature
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A thorough examination of the relevant studies is essential to the research process. It enables the researcher to identify the specific aspects of the problem.
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Once a problem has been found, the investigator or researcher needs to learn more about it.
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This stage gives problem-zone background. It teaches the investigator about previous research, how they were conducted, and its conclusions. The researcher can build consistency between his work and others through a literature review. Such a review exposes the researcher to a more significant body of knowledge and helps him follow the research process efficiently.
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ProQuest, Nexis Uni, Google Scholar, Search Engines, Google Books, or your school’s library are a great starting place to find information.
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Cornell University released a video showing students How to identity Scholarly Journal Articles and How to identify Substantive News Articles.
Step 3: Create Hypotheses
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Formulating an original hypothesis is the next logical step after narrowing down the research topic and defining it. A belief solves logical relationships between variables. A researcher must have a certain amount of expertise in the field to establish a hypothesis.
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Researchers need to keep in mind while formulating a hypothesis that it must be based on the research topic. Researchers can concentrate their efforts and stay committed to their objectives when they develop theories to guide their work.
Step 4: The Research Design
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Research design is the plan for achieving objectives and answering research questions. It outlines how to get the relevant information. Its goal is to design research to test hypotheses, address the research questions, and provide decision-making insights.
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The research design aims to minimize the time and effort required to acquire meaningful evidence
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This plan fits into four categories:
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Exploration and Surveys
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Experiment
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Data Analysis
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Observation
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The Research Process (Steps 5-8)
Step 5: Describe Population
Research projects usually look at a specific group of people, facilities, or how technology is used in the business. In research, the term population refers to this study group. The research topic and purpose help determine the study group.
Suppose a researcher wishes to investigate a certain group of people in the community. In that case, the research could target a specific age group, males or females, a geographic location, or an ethnic group. A final step in a study’s design is to specify its sample or population so that the results may be generalized.
Step 6: Data Collection
Data collection is essential in obtaining the knowledge or information required to answer the research issue. Every research collected data from the literature or the people being studied. Data must be collected from the two categories of researchers. These sources may provide primary data.
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Experiment
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Questionnaire
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Observation
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Interview
Secondary data categories are:
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Literature survey
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Official and unofficial reports
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An approach based on library resources
Step 7: Data Analysis
During research design, the researcher plans data analysis. After collecting data, the researcher analyzes it. The data is examined based on the approach in this step. The research findings are reviewed and reported.
Step 8: The Report-writing/Product Creation
After completing these steps, the researcher must prepare a report detailing his findings. The report must be carefully composed with the following in mind:
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The Layout: On the first page, the title, date, acknowledgments, and preface should be on the report. A list of tables, graphs, and charts should follow a table of contents.
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Introduction: It should state the research’s purpose and methods. This section should include the study’s scope and limits.
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Summary of Findings: A non-technical summary of findings and recommendations will follow the introduction. The results should be summarized if they’re lengthy.
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Principal Report: The main body of the report should make sense and be broken up into sections that are easy to understand.
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Conclusion: The researcher should restate his findings at the end of the main text. It’s the final result.
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Proofread:
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Errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Make sure that your research paper is free of those errors.
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Citation. Double-check your professor’s requirements to see which citation format you should follow and make sure the sources you used are cited properly
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Your writing style. The last and the most important thing you should check is your writing: Is your paper easy to comprehend? Is your message clear to the reader? Is the data you present correct?
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Station Rotation model
With the station rotation model, secondary students can focus on language arts skills such as analysis, structure, and academic writing while improving their overall writing quality.
1. When I conduct writers' workshops in my own classroom, I adapt the station rotation model of blended learning. I set up five or six stations around my classroom. Students walk into the room and look at the assignments listed on the whiteboard. They then pick the skill that they need to develop and go to the designated station. The teacher usually works at the table with the hardest skill and then wanders around the classroom offering help as needed. The workshop usually lasts 4-5 days.
2. Every time I conduct a writers' workshop, I survey the students and ask them what skills they would like to practice. I've found that doing this allows me to narrow down the specific skills that my students are struggling with.
Examples of Stations
A. Read Aloud-After a brief discussion about the benefits of reading aloud, students go out to the hallway and use their phones or Chromebooks to record their own voices as they read.
B. Kaizena Recording-For those who use Google documents in their schools, Kaizena is an excellent resource. Students download this app which allows them to have a conversation with the teacher. Using the app, they highlight certain portions of their essays and give me audible comments. They tell me what areas they think need improvement and what areas they feel they've mastered.
3. Learn How to Analyze- This is a skill that can be difficult for students at all levels. To help students learn to analyze text, give them various passages and teach techniques that will help them find the "bigger picture." After this quick exercise, have them rework passages in their own essays.
4. Grammar- After students complete an exercise that teaches them how to identify these types of sentences, instruct them to fix the sentences in their own essays.
5. Essay Structure-Review the format of an essay with students. Then instruct them to go back and label the parts of their essay using pen, pencil, or Google Docs.
6. Academic writing and transitions-Give students examples of academic words and transitions. Then have them use this type of language in their own essays. They should underline or bold the areas where they made the changes.
7. MLA format and Works Cited- Using Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) as a main source, instruct students to complete various activities that will help them build a works cited page for their own papers.
8. Teacher time- I believe that best help we can give students with their writing is to sit down with them one on one. With the station rotation model of the writers' workshop, teachers have more time to do this.
9. Introduce quotes- This station is devoted entirely to helping students avoid the habit of "dropping quotes" -- including quoted material without introduction or attribution.
10. Peer feedback-Students read their partner's essay and then fill out a detailed form that you've given them for their questions and observations. After reading the essay and filling out the form, they should have a verbal conversation with their partner about the areas that need improvement.
Stations can be adapted to suit any subject and grade level.
Reflecting on the process
Update your Daily Report and Action Plan. You coud also update your calendar. Continue developing your multimedia presentation.
Big Idea:
What can I do to teach others about my SDG and help my community implement one of the SDGs?
Students will have three primary goals for this unit.
First, they will be working to research a chosen SDG and consider a scenario-based lesson. Second, they will need to determine how they will educate others in terms of their SDG, for most people know very little about the SDGs. Finally, they will be creating a multimedia presentation and persuasive letter meant to convince people to take action regarding their SDG. Be thinking about these three aspects of the project at all times.
Alternatively, students can
construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, the occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity OR
evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces the impacts of human activities on natural systems.
Extension: Enter your multimedia project in the worldof8billion video contest.
Extension: Use the Five Thinking Hats Method when reading: Five Thinking Hats is a simple, effective parallel thinking process that helps people be more productive, focused, and mindfully involved.
You and your team members can learn how to separate thinking into six clear functions and roles. Each thinking role is identified with a colored symbolic “thinking hat.” By mentally wearing and switching “hats,” you can easily focus or redirect thoughts, the conversation, or the meeting.