In qualitative research, Agee says, "A broadly framed question can serve as a basis for initial and emerging sub-question." (p. 434)
Agee goes on to say, "A single overarching question allows a researcher to capture the basic goals of the study in one major question. A clearly stated overarching question can give direction for the study design and collection of data and offer the potential for developing new, more specific questions during data collection and analysis. Sometimes, these broader research questions are not stated as questions but.rather as goals for the study." (p. 435)
This information is food for thought. My research question for my capstone research paper is quite specific, and isn't written in question format. It is:
The purpose of this study will be to understand how to transition from a classroom-based learning approach to an online or blended learning approach for adult learners in the NWT. This study aims to identify and understand the challenges and opportunities faced by adult learners enrolled in adult basic education in the NWT, transitioning to online learning.
The demographic of the learner that we anticipate transitioning to online learning is:
• Adult learner enrolled in adult basic education (K-12 for adults);
• Predominantly First Nations and Inuit;
• Age range from 20-60 years; and
• Live in small northern communities ranging in size from 60 residents to 6,000 residents.
Courses are delivered in English.
So this leaves me wondering, do I begin with a question like; how do we transition to online learning in adult basic education in the NWT? Or What are the benefits and challenges of delivering online or blended learning in adult basic education in the NWT. Both of these questions are broad, but they certainly don't have the depth of the original description and in some ways change the intent of the research.
Writing research questions is an art form, one I think I need to ponder more.
Agee, J. (2009) Developing qualitative research questions: a reflective process, International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, 22:4, 431-447, DOI:
10.1080/09518390902736512
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt almost sounds to me like you have two questions: (1) what are the benefits and challenges to delivering online and/or blended delivery adult basic education in the NWT; and (2) what are the best practices for transitioning the adult basic education to online learning in the NWT that will maximize the benefits and minimize the challenges. It seems that some of the research articles we have been reading for our assignment 4 ask multiple questions related to the same topic... based on this, I think you could ask both of these questions without loosing the scope of your initial purpose.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with Erin and I would encourage you to keep writing about the research question. What are you really hoping to discover through this research? From whose point of view? What do you already think yourself about the answer to these questions? What are others (researchers, educators saying about these questions. What is the desired goal of your research (to apply and implement something based on sound research?; to contribute to the scholarly community doing this kind of research, to create best practices? The answers to these kinds of questions can help you narrow your topic or pinpoint it or even broaden it and the good news is any information you gather in the process of answering them will be useful for some part of the paper. (e.g. lit. review).
ReplyDeleteThank you both for initiating this discussion. As I begin to read the textbooks for the next course in program planning, I am beginning to think that I need to structure this question more around the planning both for development of ALBE as a hybrid model, but also as a technology management issue. What I realize is that we have not even begun to think about the implementation of technology in learning and that maybe this question needs to be broader and yet more specific. An example may be; What steps does the NWT need to take to begin planning to deliver hybrid models of adult basic education. What planning process is required. Who are the stakeholders. What are the costs, etc.
ReplyDelete