Research Plan CEP 822 Research Questions My research aims to inform the following questions: 1. Do iPods have a positive impact on student learning? 2. If so, why and to what extent?
Sample The success of my research depends on 4 criteria. I have decided to experiment with a group of high school students because they are mature enough to rely on. The experiment will take place at school; in the classroom, library, or language lab, depending on which environment provides the most suitable setting for the study. The experiment will have to last until enough samples have been collected from the 2 groups, experimental and control. I’ve decided to compare the results from the 2 groups after they have taken 3 tests in each language skill, so the research is likely to last one semester, preferably starting with the first so that improvements can be made for the second semester. Finally comes the budget. This will have to cover the cost of 10 iPods, enough for half a class of 20 students. An 8GB Apple iPod can be purchased for $149, so the budget would be around $1,500. (See Appendix A for a quick summary of the sample description.) The sample I have chosen is well suited for my research for several reasons. First of all, I am studying the impact of iPods on students learning, so it’s only natural to conduct the study in a school on a group of students. What’s more, I am not asking for an expensive place to rent; the places where I am conducting the research would be occupied any way for the lesson itself, whether I intend to use iPods or not. The time and duration shouldn’t pose a problem either since both are within the school year time frame. As for the budget, I think spending $3,000 on a 6Created by: Jean-Claude Aura
Date: December 2009
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