Contents...… v |
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Preface...… ix |
To the student |
To the instructor |
About the student examples |
About the author |
Acknowledgments |
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Overview...… 1 |
1.1 Motivation for the project…... 1 |
Emphasis is shifting toward real data |
Projects allow hands-on experiences |
1.2 Schedule for the project...… 2 |
Course schedule |
Project schedule |
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Group Communication...… 5 |
2.1 Purpose of the communication plan...… 5 |
Group dynamics |
Uses of the communication plan |
2.2 Contents of the communication plan...… 6 |
Information content |
Planning content |
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Project Ideas...… 8 |
3.1 Purpose of the list of ideas...… 8 |
Start on the right track |
Start with general thoughts |
3.2 Generating research questions...… 9 |
Involve the entire group |
Ask a question about a large group |
Talk to experts |
Use the Internet |
Consider what will be recorded |
Is the question describing, comparing, or relating? |
3.3 Requirements for the research project...… 11 |
Everyone needs to be able to participate |
There must be sampling |
No opinion surveys |
No duplicates |
3.4 Example of a list of ideas...… 12 |
Example |
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The Research Proposal...… 14 |
4.1 Purpose of the research proposal...… 14 |
Always begin with a plan |
Be specific |
Be complete |
Be flexible |
4.2 Contents of the research proposal...… 15 |
Good writing is essential |
Required elements |
4.3 Examples of research proposals...… 18 |
Example A - After-school programs in Nebraska City |
Example B - Seeds in watermelon |
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Data Collection...… 23 |
5.1 Purpose of the data collection stage...… 23 |
Answer the research question |
Real data |
5.2 Characteristics of good dataIntegrity...… 24 |
The meaning of integrity |
Does the sample represent the population? |
Do the variables relate to the issues? |
5.3 Characteristics of good dataAccuracy...… 25 |
The meaning of accuracy |
Counting |
Measuring devices |
Survey instruments |
5.4 Collecting the data...… 26 |
Everyone must be involved |
Use randomness to select the sample |
Be courteous at all times |
5.5 The data collection report...… 27 |
The data must be collected by the deadline |
The process is the important part |
5.6 Examples of data collection...… 28 |
Example A - After-school programs in Nebraska City |
Example B - Seeds in watermelon |
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Data Analysis...… 32 |
6.1 Purpose of the data analysis...… 32 |
Answer the research question |
Randomness gives us the ability |
6.2 Types of data analysis...… 32 |
Use the right tool |
Is the question describing, comparing, or relating? |
6.3 Preparing the data for analysis...… 33 |
Identify the variables |
Organize the information into rows and columns |
Use code numbers if necessary |
6.4 Examples of data analysis...… 35 |
Example A - After-school programs in Nebraska City |
Example B - Seeds in watermelon |
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Presenting the Results...… 41 |
7.1 The overall presentation...… 41 |
Purpose of the final presentation |
Elements of the final presentation |
7.2 The oral presentation...… 42 |
Purpose of an oral presentation |
Elements of an oral presentation |
Style issues for the oral presentation |
7.3 The written report...… 44 |
Purpose of a written report |
Elements of a written report |
Style issues for the written report |
7.4 Examples of written reports...… 45 |
Example A - After-school programs in Nebraska City |
Example B - Seeds in watermelon |
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Comments on Student Examples...... 54 |
8.1 Comments on the list of ideas...… 54 |
8.2 Comments on the research proposals...… 55 |
Example A - After-school programs in Nebraska City |
Example B - Seeds in watermelon |
8.3 Comments on the data collection...… 57 |
Example A - After-school programs in Nebraska City |
Example B - Seeds in watermelon |
8.4 Comments on the written reports...… 59 |
Example A - After-school programs in Nebraska City |
Example B - Seeds in watermelon |
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Index...... 65 |