DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

EMA 399: Research Methods in

Mathematics Education
INSTRUCTORS:
Dr Christopher Yarkwah

Department of Mathematics and ICT Educ.

Faculty of Science and Technology Educ.
College of Education Studies
University of Cape Coast
Cape Coast

7/03/2023 EMA 805 RESEARCH METHODS IN MATHS EDUC. 1

 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Unit 1: Meaning and types of research

7/03/2023 EMA 805 RESEARCH METHODS IN MATHS EDUC. 2

 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Learning objectives
1. Explain what research is;
2. Explain why research should be conducted very often in the area of
mathematics education;
3. Explain the various types of research.

7/03/2023 EMA 805 RESEARCH METHODS IN MATHS EDUC. 3

 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Activity 1 (Pair Work)

1. What is research?

2. What is the difference between a research and search?

3. Why the need for regular research studies in mathematics education?

4. What are the various types of research?

7/03/2023 EMA 805 RESEARCH METHODS IN MATHS EDUC. 4
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Knowledge, Data, Information, and Decisions…

Data

Knowledge Information

New Knowledge/Decisions
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

What is Research?
✓A systematic enquiry aimed at dealing with problems or understanding
situations (i.e., advancement of knowledge). It is systematic because it follows
a laid down procedure in arriving at the conclusions.

✓Scientific research is a systematic way to acquire useful and dependable

information that bears on a meaningful problem. Although it may take place in
different settings and may use different methods, scientific research is
universally a systematic and objective search for reliable knowledge.

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 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Definitions of Research
• Research is a systematic attempt to provide answers to questions (Tuckman, 1999).

• Research may be defined as the systematic and objective analysis and recording of
controlled observations that may lead to the development of generalizations, principles, or
theories, resulting in prediction and possible control of events (Best & Kahn, 1998).

• Research is a systematic way of asking questions, a systematic method of inquiry (Drew,

Hardman, & Hart, 1996).

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 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

PURPOSE OF RESEARCH
• To test what you already know
• To understand the other side of an issue
• To establish reliable guide
• To expand knowledge
• To predict, explain and interpret a behaviour
• To provide solution to a problem
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Importance of Research
Let’s look at the significance of research with the following points:
1. A tool for building knowledge and for facilitating learning
2. Means to understand various issues and increase public awareness
3. An aid to business success
4. A way to prove lies and to support truths
5. Means to find, gauge, and seize opportunities
6. A seed to love reading, writing, analyzing, and sharing valuable information
7. Nourishment and exercise for the mind
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 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Sources of Knowledge
• Experience
• Authority
• Deductive reasoning
• Inductive reasoning, and
• Scientific approach.

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 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

LIMITATIONS TO SCIENTIFIC APPROACH

• Complexity of Subject Matter
• Difficulties in Observation
• Difficulties in Replication
• Interaction of Observer and Subjects
• Difficulties in Control
• Problems of Measurement
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 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION

SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

• The content or the subject matter to be taught

• Relevant literature
• Personal experience
• Methodology
• Theories of teaching and learning
• Attendance at seminars/workshops/conferences
• Interaction with experts, opinion leaders and heads of
institutions
• Replication of previous studies
7/03/2023 EMA 805 RESEARCH METHODS IN MATHS EDUC. 13
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION

SELECTING RESEARCH TOPIC

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

• For you to identify and select appropriate mathematics education topic for
your research work, you must be guided by the following:
• You must make sure that you have interest in the topic or area of research.
• Consult previously conducted research works for insight into the area to be
researched.
• Have an interaction or discussion with your project or research supervisor or
academic counsellor for suggested topics.
• Consult faculty members or tutors of your department and find out about their
areas of research and you can select from one of those areas as your research
focus.
• Find out if the research topic or problem is researchable. This is because one’s
research ability bothers on whether it is possible to gather data or information to
7/03/2023
investigate the problem. EMA 805 RESEARCH METHODS IN MATHS EDUC. 14
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION

SELECTING RESEARCH TOPIC

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

• Find out if the outcome of your research would add new knowledge to already
existing knowledge about what has been researched. In other words, find out
whether the findings of your research work would bring to bear something new on
existing researches.

• Ensure originality of the research work. In other words, ensure that you don’t just
copy peoples work and submit rather ensure that whatever you write or do in your
research is coming from the data you have collected. In the case where you
happened to replicate somebody’s work, make sure that it is carried out in a new
location or setting. Show that you have initiated ideas in the research.

7/03/2023 EMA 805 RESEARCH METHODS IN MATHS EDUC. 15

 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION

SELECTING RESEARCH TOPIC

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

• Find out if the research is feasible. The feasibility of a research

topic or problem depends on whether the:
➢data to be collected will be available and accessible to the
researcher.
➢needed financial support will be available.
➢research can be completed within the stipulated time.
➢researcher is furnished with the required research knowledge
about appropriate design and statistical procedures required
for the study.
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 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Nature of Research
• Systematic – plan, identify, design, collect data, evaluate
• Logical – examine procedures to evaluate conclusions
• Empirical – decisions are based on data (observation)
• Reductive – general relationships are established from data
• Replicable – actions are recorded

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 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Development of Research Skills

• Learning how to conduct good research:
• New skills (that many people do not have)
• Better understanding and interpretation of the literature
• Recognize new questions that need investigation
• Objectivity is the key element of research

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 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Search for Truth

• Five sources of evidence in the pursuit of truth:
1. Custom and tradition
2. Authority
3. Personal experience
4. Deductive reasoning
5. Scientific inquiry

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 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Deductive Reasoning
• This kind of reasoning is also called Logic.
• In deductive reasoning, thinking proceeds from general assumption to specific
application
• GENERAL → SPECIFIC
• Aristotle and other early philosophers
• Drawing conclusions through categorical syllogism.
• All philosophers are moral. Socrates is a philosopher. Therefore, Socrates
is moral.
• Resistance training makes one big and bulky by increasing body mass.
Sandi is resistance training. Therefore, Sandi will become big and bulky.

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 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Deductive Reasoning
• Not sufficient as a source of new truth

• Let’s now discuss some examples in the domain of mathematics education.

• Let’s get someone to start the whole process.

7/03/2023 EMA 805 RESEARCH METHODS IN MATHS EDUC. 21

 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Inductive Reasoning
• Conclusions about events (general) are based on information
generated through many individual and direct observations
(specific).
• SPECIFIC → GENERAL
• Researchers observe an individual or group of individuals
from a larger population → based on these observations,
generalizations are made back to the larger population.
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 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Inductive Reasoning
• Two kinds of induction:
• Perfect
Conclusions based on observations made from ALL
members of a group or population
• Imperfect
Conclusions based on observations made from a random
sample of members of a population
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 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Inductive and deductive approaches

7/03/2023 EMA 805 RESEARCH METHODS IN MATHS EDUC. 24
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

The Scientific Method

• Scientific Method is the way researchers go about using knowledge and evidence
to reach objective conclusions about the real world.

• The analysis and interpretation of empirical evidence (facts from observation or

experimentation) to confirm or disprove prior conceptions
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Characteristics of the scientific method

• Scientific Research is Public – Advances in science require freely available
information (replication/peer scrutiny)
• Science is Objective – Science tries to rule out eccentricities of judgment by
researchers and institutions.
• Science is Empirical – Researchers are concerned with a world that is knowable
and potentially measurable. Researchers must be able to perceive and classify
what they study and reject metaphysical and nonsensical explanations of events.
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Characteristics of the scientific method,

cont.
• Science is Systematic and Cumulative – No single research study stands alone, nor
does it rise or fall by itself. Research also follows a specific method.
• Theory – A set of related propositions that presents a systematic view of phenomena by
specifying relationsships among concepts
• Law – is a statement of fact meant to explain, in concise terms, an action or set of
actions that is generally accepted to be true and universal
• Science is Predictive – Science is concerned with relating the present to the future
(making predictions)
• Science is Self-Correcting – Changes in thoughts, theories, or laws are appropriate
when errors in previous research are uncovered
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

The Scientific Method

• Systematic; cyclic; series of logical steps.
• Identifying the problem
• Formulating a hypothesis
• Developing the research plan
• Collecting and analyzing the data
• Interpreting results and forming conclusions

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 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Flow chart of the scientific method

Note: Diamond-shaped
boxes indicate stages
in the research process
in which a choice of
one or more techniques
must be made. The
dotted line indicates an
alternative path that
skips exploratory
research.
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Identifying the Problem

• Three categories when selecting a research problem
➢Those who know precisely what they want to do and have a
well conceived problem.
➢Those who have many interest areas and are having
difficulty deciding exactly what they want to study.
➢Those who do not have any idea about a worthwhile
research problem.

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 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Identifying the Problem

• First, and arguably the most important, step
• Several sources
• Theoretical basis
• Professional practice
• Personal experience
• Shear curiosity
• Starts as a broad question that must be narrowed
• Problem statement; experimental approach to the problem; etc.
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 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Scientific Method of Problem Solving

• Step 1: develop the problem (define and delimit it)
• identify independent and dependent variables
• Step 2: formulate the hypotheses
• the anticipated outcome
• Step 3: gather data
• maximize internal and external validity
• Step 4(5): analyze and interpret results
7/03/2023 EMA 805 RESEARCH METHODS IN MATHS EDUC. 32
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

How to do research
• Read about topic
• Draft aims of research. Clear, simple, focused.
• Draft literature review.
• Draft research plan – check it is really likely to meet your research aims. Check
again.
• Do research/analysis
• Draft research/analysis and recommendations/conclusions
• Check it fits together and revise all sections
• If it doesn’t fit together revise aims and …
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Practical issues
• Timing
• Plan this remembering that your supervisor may suggest extensive changes.
• Gantt chart may help.
• Ethics (remember the form!)
• Access to information.
• Take care: this is often difficult!
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Quality concepts
• Reliability – or dependability/replicability

• Validity and credibility

• Generalizability and transferability

• Ethical practice

7/03/2023 EMA 805 RESEARCH METHODS IN MATHS EDUC. 35

 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

CLASSIFICATION OF
RESEARCH
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

CLASSIFICATION OF RESEARCH
i. Classification by purpose
ii. Classification by method.
iii. Classification based on type of evidences required and
method of analysis.
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Classification by purpose contd.

• Basic [Pure] Research: This is concerned with the production of result and
finding which lead to development of theory.
• Let’s discuss some mathematical examples. Who want to start?????

• Applied Research: This is conducted for the purpose of applying or testing theory
and evaluate its usefulness in solving problems. It is concerned with the usefulness
of ideas or theories or practical situation.
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Classification by purpose contd.

• Action Research: is a research that is directed towards solving specific problem
in a local setting .it is usually taken by a teacher or group of teachers in school to
solving specific problem so that the result can be generalized.
• Let’s discuss some mathematical examples. Who want to start?????

• Evaluation Research: the results of evaluation research help in decision making.

• Let’s discuss some mathematical examples. Who want to start?????
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Classification by purpose contd.

• Research and Development: This is aimed at developing and testing product to
ensure their effectiveness.
• Let’s discuss some mathematical examples. Who want to start?????
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Classification of Research by Method

• Historical
• Descriptive (survey)
• Correlational
• Experimental
• Casual-comparative (ex-post-facto)
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Historical Research
This type of research is based on oral evidence records
such as diaries, case history, autobiography, logbook;
Books, Journals, magazines etc are also useful
documents.
Let’s discuss some mathematical examples. Who want to
start?????
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Descriptive Research
 It is also called a survey research. This type of research is based on
information, interviews, (oral, written, structured, unstructured etc),
inventories, rating scales, self report, observation etc. Descriptive
research is aim at fact finding of the present condition or current
situation.
• This kind of research gives a vivid description of a phenomenon and
report the status of the phenomenon.
• Let’s discuss some mathematical examples. Who want to start?????
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Descriptive Research
 It is type of research which is used to answer descriptive research
questions such as:
 What is happening?
 How is something happening?
 Why is something happening?
 It uses frequencies, averages, means and percentages to report on the
status of the phenomenon being dealt with. A typical example is on
reporting on the status of academic background of senior high school
mathematics teachers.
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Descriptive Research
In this situation, all that the researcher needs to do is to
obtain the frequencies and percentages to report on the
academic background of these teachers and no
conclusion can ever be drawn concerning relationships.
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Correlational Research.
 The correlational studies present a research approach that seeks to
explain educational phenomena rather than mere stating the
phenomena.

 This is a research that involves looking at relationships between two or

more variables using correlation coefficients. The primary purpose of
this kind of research is to find relationships between two or more
variable so as to better understand the conditions and events that we
encounter (what goes with what) and to predict future conditions and
events.
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Correlational Research.
Correlations as a matter of fact do not show cause and
effect.
For example, finding out if there is a statistically
significant relationship between male and female
mathematics major students attitude towards the teaching
and learning of mathematics at the senior high school
level.
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Experimental Research
 This type of research involves conducting experiment
for research purpose.

The experimental method involves investigating possible

cause and effect relationship by exposing one or more
experimental groups to a treatment and one or more
control groups not receiving the treatment.
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Experimental Research
• THE ISSUE OF RANDOMIZATION
• Randomization involves not building in biases into who gets the chance to be selected to
participate in the study and how they get divided up into the treatment or control groups.

• Two types of randomization is involved in experimental research; Random Selection,

and Random Assignment.

• Random Selection involves giving every willing subject an equal chance of being
selected to participate whereas Random Assignment involves giving every selected
subject an equal chance of being selected into either the experimental or control group.
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Experimental Research
• True and Quasi-Experimental Research
• True experimental research is those in which there is both random
selection, and random assignment.

• In quasi-experimental research random selection may not be possible

but random assignment is guaranteed. School-based experimental
research mostly take this form.

• The bottom line in both cases is that the researcher is still trying
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Causal-Comparative Research
• Causal-comparative and experimental research represent
distinctly different methods, however both attempt to establish
cause-effect relationship, and both involve group comparison.

• In this kind of research, it is basically designed to show the

possible causes of a phenomenon or occurrence. This type of
research is called ex-post facto research because the effect of a
phenomenon is studied after it has had effect upon another
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Causal-Comparative Research
• For example: studying the effects of referrals of students
in programmes or the studying effects on students who
had not been promoted by comparing the latter’s
performance of those who were retained and those who
were promoted.
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

CLASSIFICATION OF RESEARCH BASED ON EVIDENCIES

REQUIRED OR METHOD OR DATA ANALYSIS
• There are three types of research based on evidences required or method of data
analysis. These are:
• Qualitative - non computational
• Quantitative - Computational
• Triangulation of multiple perspectives.
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Quantitative Research
• It is a type of research that systematically observe changes in the
phenomena of interest while manipulating what are believed to be
causal influences.
• Quantitative research has the following characteristics:
• Data collected usually quantitative in nature
• Where triangulation is necessary, consistency checks could be built into
questionnaires to provide independent estimates of key variables
• Usually involves the use of many subjects
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Quantitative Research
• Significant tests for differences between groups
• Data analysis may involve multivariate analysis to examine the
factors contributing to the magnitude and direction of the
change
• Conceptual framework often leads to formulation of hypotheses
that can be tested empirically
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Qualitative Research
Qualitative research (words)- is by definition exploratory, and it is used when we
don’t know what to expect, to define the problem or develop an approach to the
problem. It’s also used to go deeper into issues of interest and explore nuances
related to the problem at hand.
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Qualitative Research
This type of research has the following characteristics:
• It is involved with obtaining an in-depth look at a particular individual, situation
or set of materials (i.e., small samples are used)
• The natural setting is the direct source of data and the researcher is one of the key
instruments
• It is concerned with process as well as product
• Data tends to be analyzed inductively
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Qualitative Research
• Key tools used are interviews and observations recorded in field notes.

• Usually, it reveals a target population's conduct and observations that

rive it with reference to specific issues.

• In this kind of research, the researcher usually takes an in-depth studies

of small groups of people to guide and support the construction of
hypotheses or research question.
 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ICT EDUCATION
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

Qualitative Research
• The results of qualitative research are descriptive in nature
simply because interviews with individuals, group discussions,
keeping diary and carrying out journal exercises and
observations are best presented as reports.

• In qualitative research rigorous statistical tools are not usually

used for analyses of data rather data is/are analysed
thematically.