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EDU 6550: Foundations and Current Issues in Education: Class session

Starting point for research for new teachers

Research

Evaluating sources activity

Screenshot of ERIC database with information about Beyond the Brick Walls: Homeschooling Students with Special Needs article displayed

Screenshot from Opposing Viewpoints database with information about Homeschooling Benefits Special Needs Children article displayed

  • Who wrote Source 1? Source 2?

 

  • Which author has the most expertise on this topic?

 

  • What is the purpose of Source 1? Source 2?

 

  • Are either of the sources peer-reviewed?  

 

  • Do you think you could use Source 1 to make a point in a paper?  If yes, give an example of a point you could make using this source as evidence. 

 

  • Do you think you could use Source 2 to make a point in a paper?  If yes, give an example of a point you could make using this source as evidence. 

Looking at publications activity

Take a look at an education publication.  Do you see any of these kinds of articles?

  • report of new research
    • quantitative research (data includes numbers, results quantifiable)
    • qualitative research (focus group, interviews, etc.)
  • literature review (review of previous research)
  • book review
  • lesson plan or unit

With your partner, looking at the publications you were given, indicate the kinds of articles you can identify (from the list above).  Let's see which kinds are easiest to identify or most common.  For each article you can identify, click below, then click "submit." 

Kinds of articles in education publications
Quantitative research: 18 votes (30%)
Qualitative research: 17 votes (28.33%)
Mixed methods: 5 votes (8.33%)
Literature review: 3 votes (5%)
Lesson/unit plan: 8 votes (13.33%)
Book review: 3 votes (5%)
Editorial/Commentary: 6 votes (10%)
Total Votes: 60