Improving One's Own Practice Through Research

This book chapter is an overview of the different types of research a teacher practitioner might conduct in order to inform his/her practice. The author quips that many books have been writ... See More

This book chapter is an overview of the different types of research a teacher practitioner might conduct in order to inform his/her practice. The author quips that many books have been written on how to design an experiment to test a research hypothesis. He attempts to provide an overview of the process so that teachers can consider possible ways to design their individual research questions. A separate section is devoted to action research; this form of research can inform instructors of how to best stage student learning in their classes. If it has been a while since you took a research methods course, this book chapter will remind you about such things as experimental and quasi-experimental research studies, qualitative vs. quantitative research, and the need for IRB (Institutional Research Board) forms to be filled out when human subjects are involved.