Sondra


 * // Thanks, Sondra! You're PDF graphic of your research profile is excellent! Deb //**


 * As discussed in class, this article is a clearly quantitative in nature. I would like for you to think about this study and suggest ways in which you, as a researcher, might approach this topic from a qualitative perspective. While this study leads to interesting conclusions, does it leave some questions unanswered? If so, what types of data might strengthen the research and make it even more meaningful for educators **


 * From my experience, when I work with students in first grade there are a number of things that increase the students chance of survival. One of the key things being if they had someone at home to take the time to read with them on a daily basis and another being if they have one on one interventions for reading recovery. If the study would have looked at these two things, I believe they would see these two things would have a major effect on the students growth in reading. **
 * The research is unclear on how exactly the students are not left behind when they are doing whole group instruction. However, at the end of the article it did state that students might need interventions still in first grade. The article would have been better if the students were also studied in first grade because then we could have seen a clearer picture of what become of the students that this research was based on. **

**Who am I as a Researcher?**

I believe there is no absolute truth because once we think we have figured it out there will be one unique student who will change everything. They will make you want to throw all your beliefs out the window and start a whole new theory. I am a person who loves to look at numbers and figures so most of my research will probably consist of charts, diagrams, and numbers. Therefore, I consider myself mostly postpositivist. However, there is a part of me who wants to bring about change and through the Master’s program have become an educator who appreciates collaboration with other teachers about similar interests. I also like the mixed methods approach because I think good research should have both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Therefore, I have both advocacy/participatory and pragmatic views as well.

=**A Good Case Study**= A case study is a learning experience for the researcher that consists of how and why questions. A good case study has a variety of evidence which includes real-life circumstances. It allows the researcher to be able to get close to the subject. The researcher must work hard to eliminate opinions and focus on reporting the evidence fairly. Even though case studies look at a limited number of subjects, it gives the researcher the ability to analyze the subject more in depth. They can be based on quantitative or qualitative research, and be based on single or multiple cases studies. Case studies can explain, describe, illustrate, or explore real life interventions. Extreme and critical cases often lead to new discoveries because they reveal more information, whereas random samples would not. When researchers become a part of the research, they begin to truly understand the viewpoints and behaviors of the subject. Therefore, the hypothesis will begin to be reconstructed. Good case studies will show the whole picture and avoid summarizing and omitting the details. It will leave the conclusion open so the study will have a different meaning to a variety of people.

A case study that could be done in the classroom is the investigation of independent reading behaviors. I would pick two extreme cases where the students read beyond their level and two extreme cases where the students read way below their level. I would use observation techniques to document their behaviors when reading independently. I would then interview them to get a better understanding about how they felt about what they were reading.



More on Case Studies:

[|Case Study Method] [|Case Study as a Research Method] [|Application of a Case Study]

Qualitative Research Assignment Due April 10:

Heres my question why did we have to keep it to a max of one page, that was next to impossible and I am not even that much of a communicator.

I thought it was great. It is interesting to note how many people read the book before seeing the movie. ~ denise