Deciding on the topic

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Deciding on the topic
Annelise Kachelhoffer
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Researchers starting research fall in one of
three categories.
(Altrichter 1993)

• They have one very specific question in mind

• They have many different questions in mind none
  giving an obvious starting point

• The have no concrete ideas

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Finding a theme and then a research problem

• This is hard work
• Is not to be rushed

• Formulate more than one possible starting point

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How to start . .
.(Altrichter1993)
Think of your own practical experiences

• anything you have wanted to investigate for a
  long time?

• anything you are very interested in (like very
  much) and want to know more about?

• Interesting world developments?

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Dadds mentions 3 types of starting points
(Dadds inAltrichter 1998)

• An interest- trying out promising idea.

• A difficulty - eg. wanting to improve a
  difficult situation, solve a problem.

• An unclear situation maybe a bigger or
  smaller puzzles.

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Once you have decided on a possible topic or
theme, ask the following question
(Mills2000)
Is this a focus on issues that you feel
passionate about?
Brainstorm different ideas or aspects of the
idea.
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Phrasing your research question
What would be your aim in investigating this
topic? Write it down.
Now phrase the topic so that it it becomes a
research question. You will use words like how,
what, where or when as starters. Read it
carefully. Too much words? Too much ideas? Is it
manageable? Rewrite until it is lean and crystal
clear. Ask a friend to look at it critically.
Can the big question be divided into smaller,
sub questions? Write them down.
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Once you have decided on the research area and
problem, you need to. . .

• understand the theories that impact your research

• understand the historical context of where your
  research problem fits into the broader education
  field

(Kemmis McTaggert 1988)
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Review the literature

• Take time to immerse yourself in the literature
  . . . To become knowledgeable and informed about
  the area you will investigate

• Make use of on-line resources (Eric, journals
  etc.)

• Study Ministry documents

• Visit university and college libraries

• Organize your information from the beginning in
  such a way that you can write an informed chapter
  on it.

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References Altrichter, H., Posch, P., Somekh,
B. (1998). Teachers Investigate their Work.
London Routledge Dick, B. (1993). Action
Research. Retrieved on 23 Septembe 2002 from
Http//ousd.k12.ca.us/netday/links/action_Research
Hodgkinson, C. (1998). Assessment of prior
learning of pre-service teachers computer
literacy. Unpublished PhD thesis. Pretoria
University of Pretoria Mills, G. (2000). Action
Research A guide for the teacher researcher. New
Jersey Prentice Hall Kemmis, S. McTaggart, D.
(1988) The Action Research Reader. Victoria
Deakin University