BEd Hons research project

gerrit stols

Research Proposal

1. Introduction / Background

2. Literature review: Indentify gap in international or national research literature. Read

• National Research Council. (2000). How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

• Kilpatrick, J., Swafford, J. and Findell, B. (eds) (2001) Adding It Up: Helping Children Learn Mathematics. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

3. Theoretical / Conceptual framework: What theory guides your research and what lens  do you use to collect and analyse your data?

4. Rational: Why are you (personally) interested in this topic & what is your contribution?

5. Research question

6. Research design

    6.1  Research methods

    6.2  Data analysis procedures

    6.3  Sample and participants in the study

    6.4  Data collection strategies 

    6.5  Instruments (Explain the link between theoretical framework and instrument)

    6.6  Validity & reliability

    6.7  Ethical issues

7. References (use APA referencing style)

Read the book:

• Mouton, J. (2004). How to succeed in your Master’s & Doctoral studies: A South African guide and resource book. Van Schaik: Pretoria.

For Literature review read all the chapters relevant to your topic (in Groenkloof library):

• Bishop, A. J. (Ed) (2010). Mathematics Education: mayor themes in education. London: Routledge. Volume 1-5 (EDUN 510.71 MATHEMATICS)

• English, L. D. (2009). Handbook (SECOND) of international research in mathematics education: directions for the 21st century, 2nd ed. Mahwah, N.J.; London: Lawrence Erlbaum. Vol 1 & 2 (EDU 510.71 HANDBOOK)

• Lester, F. K., & National Council of Teachers of, M. (2007). Second handbook of research on mathematics teaching and learning: a project of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Pub. (EDUN 510.71 SECOND)

• Gutierrez, A., & Boero, P. (2006). Handbook of research on the psychology of mathematics education: past, present and future. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers. (EDU 510.7 HANDBOOK)

• Lester, F. K. (2005). The handbook of research on mathematics education. Greenwich, Conn.; London: Information Age.

• Bishop, A. J. (2003). Second international handbook of mathematics education. Dordrecht; Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers. (EDUN 510.71 SECOND)

• Grouws, D.A. (1992). Handbook of research on mathematics teaching and learning:  a project of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. New York: Macmillan (510.71 HANDBOOK)

• (In your research is about geometry) Lehrer, R. & Chazan, D. 1998. Designing learning environments for developing understanding of geometry and space.  N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum (EDU 516.0071 DESIGNING)

For your research design read the following books (available at Groenkloof library):

• Cohen, L., Manion, L. & Morrison, K. (2007).  Research methods in education. 7th edition. New York: RoutledgeFalmer. (EDUN 370.72 COHEN)

• Creswell, J. (2009). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches.  Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications (EDUN 300.72 CRESWELL)

• Kelly, A. E., Lesh, R. A., & NetLibrary, I. (2000). Handbook of research design in mathematics and science education. (EDUN 001.42 HANDBOOK) 

• Punch, K.F. (2009). Introduction to research methods in education. London: SAGE (EDUN 370.72 PUNCH)

• (If you want to do a design research study) Plomp, T. & Nieveen, N. (2007). An Introduction to Educational Design Research.

• (If you want to do a design research study) Kelly, A. E., Baek, J. Y., & Lesh, R. A. (2008). Handbook of design research methods in education : innovations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. London: Routledge. (EDUN 001.42 HANDBOOK)