COUN 508 Fall 2009 Framing Research Problems Action research requires careful framing of the problem to be investigated. The example below illustrates the relationship between a general problem to be investigated and the specific research questions that then guide the selection of the appropriate research methodologies to answer the questions. Sample problem statement This research proposes to examine alcohol drinking behaviors of high school students at xyz high school. In particular, the research focuses on the drinking behaviors of junior and senior males when present at social gatherings where alcohol is present. The context of this research is the efforts of two counselors at xyz high to develop a new alcohol abuse prevention program for the school and to pilot the program with 11th and 12th grade male students in spring 2010. Sample research questions based on the problem statement The action research project will address the following specific questions in the first phase of the project: 1. What are some normative drinking behaviors of xyz high school junior and senior males during social gatherings where alcohol is present? 2. How do some xyz high school junior and senior male students manage to abstain from drinking while in social situations where alcohol is present? 3. How do xyz high school junior and senior male students define appropriate drinking behaviors? 4. How do xyz high school junior and senior male students define alcoholism? In this hypothetical project, once the first phase is completed and the action researchers have gathered data based on these questions they will then design and pilot an alcohol abuse prevention program for the school. In phase two of their work they will assess the impact of the piloted program on xyz high juniors and seniors.
Framing Research Problems
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