Module 1 Assignment 1: Course Project Task I

Research Topic and Preliminary Questions

Since you devote a lot of time to your research, it is important to select a topic of such personal interest that you will really enjoy working on it. However, choosing a topic is not that simple.

Supplemental handouts are provided in Doc Sharing for M1 A1, with ideas about research topics and research questions. Each provides a different perspective that may be useful, in addition to the assigned reading in your texts. As Fink (2010) has suggested, thinking of potential research questions around your research topic very early gives you the opportunity to focus on the key words generated the questions you frame. These can help as you begin your database search in M2.A1. In addition, focusing your research topic area around potential questions may help you better understand possible relationships among variables where you might focus your research interest. As you begin to think more this way, consider wording your questions within a context like the following example:  “What are the potential relationships between—- and —-? The idea of framing questions in this relational, scientific way is highlighted, especially in the Doc Sharing article, “Generating and Developing Research Questions.”

The following are additional guiding ideas for you to consider:

Potential relational questions to help you focus your topic and enhance your preliminary keyword search: Think of your topic in terms of preliminary questions that you want answered about the topic.

Educational significance of your topic: Examine the expected impact or significance of your study in your field of study or the potential significance of what you hope to add to the scholarly literature. [Note: you should use conditional verb forms—“The results may lead to a better understanding of the adolescent learner.”] 

Background / Need for the Study: The background is the context of the problem that you have chosen to study and is one way to demonstrate that your study has attracted/will attract the attention of the educational research community. State the background of your topic in one or two paragraphs. 

Reason for interest in this topic.  Specific aspects of the topic you would like to pursue: In what ways could this topic be limited so it would be a manageable topic to research? For example, it would be too broad to explore the leadership styles of all high school principals whose high schools had graduates who entered colleges or universities. 

By Wednesday, July 2, 2014, submit your research topic to the Discussion Area directly into the forum, and not as an attachment. 

Module 1 Assignment 2: Writing Assessment

In this assignment, you will be graded on your writing skills. Review the description of the MyWritingLab related evaluation in the Module 1 lecture pages again.

Review the rubric posted in the Doc Sharing area and make sure you understand the expectations well. You are required to demonstrate proficiency(level 3) on the first three writing criteria elements of the rubric.

Consider the following prompt and compose your response in a 4 – 6 paragraph essay with supporting examples:

Prompt: Suppose there were no rules for conduct of ethical research and no software to detect plagiarism.  Would it matter? Why or why not? Discuss. 

Criteria Explanation:

Writing Criteria: Assesses your level of writing skills

Organization = How clearly has the writer conveyed the thesis statement or position on the topic? How have the supporting ideas been structured so that the reader can understand them?

Writing Style = How clear and focused is the paper? How well has the writing addressed audience considerations?

Grammar and Mechanics = How well has the paper been presented?

Analysis Criteria: Assesses quality of your thinking.

Analysis = How well has the writer considered the material/assignment and discussed/address it?

Access the “Module 1_Scoring Rubric” from the Doc Sharing area and review the elements of the rubric carefully and make sure you understand the expectations before beginning the assignment.

Review the rubric again after completing the assignment and use it as a checklist to ensure that your assignment has addressed all the necessary elements of the rubric criteria. As mentioned earlier, your goal should be to attain Proficiency (Level 3) in all three elements of the writing criteria to pass this writing assessment.

By friday, July 4, 2014, submit your assignment to the M1: Assignment 2