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Module Four  Data Collection and Ethical Issues
Module 4 Notes 
 

Data Collection and Ethical Issues 
    What are the reasons for establishing an Institutional Review Board and procedures?  

    Is research done by teachers in their classrooms subject to review? Why or why not?  

    What is the most important element of the 11 presented in your text (pgs. 276-277)?  

    Must teachers obtain consent from their students before conducting research? Why or why not?  

    Identify areas of concern regarding your group's research proposal.  
     


Definitions 
    1. Construct - a psychological trait that is not directly observable, but is believed to exist due to behaviors exhibited; examples: anxiety, intelligence, happiness, love 

    2. Data Reduction - procedures used to summarize the data; you will never find an article where the researcher (s) simply provides original forms with the individual responses form participants.  Instead, you are likely to find summaries in the form of narrative, tables, and/or figures.  Data reduction is that the researcher (s) used to move from the original, individual responses to the summary

    3. Operationalize - to define a construct by listing clearly described, observable behaviors 

    4. Reliability - the consistency of measurement; does it measure the same thing across time with the same level of accuracy? 

    5. Validity - the inferences made from the results of measurement; does it measure what I intended it to measure? 
      
    Contrast reliability with dependability; validity with credibility; and objectivity with confirmability.  


Guidelines for Constructing an Instrument to collect data from students  
    1. State the items in simple, clear language. 

    2. Avoid negatively stated items 

    3. Balance the items with positive and negative opinions 

    4. Create items that have student interest / appeal 

    5. Create options that have student interest / appeal 

    6. Options should have no more than five levels 

    7. Decide on an even or odd number of levels for your options 

    8. Set aside the items and then revise / review the items 

    9. The total set should contain no more than ten items 

    10. Add directions for responding and the purpose of the survey 

    Following the steps outlined in your text for developing a data collection instrument, develop an attitude instrument for students

Readings 
Read Chapter 10 (pgs. 275-281) and Chapter 11 (all) 
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Updated last January 2002 by Roberta McKnight.   
Copyright 1999 Hewitt-Gervais 
All rights reserved.
Florida Gulf Coast University 
School of Education