AEE
578--Scientific Inquiry in Agricultural and Extension Education
| AEE
578--Scientific Inquiry in Agricultural and Extension Education |
Class 1:  |
Introduction to Scientific Inquiry |
Introduction:
 |
When
I agreed to accept a graduate assistantship at Ohio State in 1973, I
accepted with three stipulations: 1.) The assistantship had to start on
July 1, 2.) I had to receive at least $7,200 and 3.) I would only
teach, not do research. To me, research was something I didn't
know anything about and it was sort of like voodoo in my mind. I wanted
no part of it. However, I did take some research methodology courses during my graduate study and soon became excited about research. It was fun and exciting. I ended up obtaining a minor in research/statistics. Since then I have conducted numerous research studies, published over 100 journal articles and made over 125 research presentations at professional conferences. Research is a vital part of our profession. In this course and lesson, you will start on a journey which will hopefully end with you feeling the same way about research that I do. |
Learning
Objectives:  |
 Explain
what is meant by the term "educational
research," and give two examples of the kinds of topics educational
researchers
might investigate; Explain
why a knowledge of scientific research methodology can be of value to
educators; Name and
give an example of four ways of knowing other than the method used by
scientists; Explain
what is meant by the term "scientific method"; Give an
example of six different types of research methodologies used by
educational
researchers; Describe
briefly what is meant by critical research; Describe
the differences among descriptive, associational, and intervention-type
studies; Describe
briefly the difference between quantitative and qualitative research; Describe
briefly what is meant by mixed methods research; and Describe
briefly the basic components involved in the research process.
|
| Instructional Activities:  |
Take the interactive
pretest to
see how much you know about research basics.
H. M. Hamlin was one of the most
respected
agricultural educators in the nation during the 1930-1960 era. His
article
"What is Research" published in the American
Vocational
Association Journal in 1966 is considered a classic. Be and sure to
take
note of his definition of research. Read Chapter 1 " The Nature of
Educational
Research in the course text, How to Design and Evaluate Research in
Education (Fraenkel & Wallen, 7th Edition, 2009). Read Ways
of
Knowing by Bill Huitt at Valdosta State (Georgia). View the PowerPoint presentation on Introduction to Scientific Inquiry. If you
have PowerPoint you can download the
presention to your computer.
The Albers
Communication
Group tell when Qualitative and
Quantative
approaches should be used. |
Lagniappe:
 |
Lagniappe is a term
commonly
used in Louisiana and means an unusual or unexpected gift or treat.
From
time to time there will be a little lagniappe in these classes. You
might
enjoy looking at some of the research related cartoons at Nearingzero. I liked the new
publication
cartoon. |
Review: |
Go to
the text web site and complete the multiple
choice review questions for this lesson. |
Assignments:
 |
Complete Worksheet 1. This worksheet is on identifying the different types of research. The PowerPoint presentation and the textbook should be useful in completing this worksheet. It is due next week and can be e-mailed or turned in as a paper copy. Please pay careful attention and really think about the questions. It is not uncommon for some students to make 60 on this exercise while others make 90 or higher. |