12 Jun Research Design Project: Action Research and Program Evaluation Pre-Matrix Assignment Instructions

The main assignments for this course are wrapped into the Research Design Project. This project has three pre-matrices that will inform three matrices. Each pre-matrix and matrix address basic and applied research that is quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, action research, and/or program evaluation. For each pre-matrix, you will find peer-reviewed education research articles on the same topic using the specified research design(s). For the matrices, you will identify methods, information, and critique the studies. This assignment helps you learn how to evaluate research, identify the main components, and start building your literature review.

This assignment will focus on specific types of basic and/or applied research. Action research is the most prominent form of applied research. Action research is a research method in which a practitioner has a real-life problem or issue in their school that needs to be resolved, improved, changed, corrected, fixed, or eliminated when possible (Kitsantas et al., 2023). Program evaluation uses empirical methods to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of programs in real-world settings, where most applied research occurs. It focuses on solving practical problems and improving programs and policies. As such, some experts refer to it as a form of applied research, whereas others consider it a third type of research—evaluative research (Miller & Salkind, 2002)

Instructions

You will submit 2 documents for this assignment:

1. RDP: Action Research and Program Evaluation Pre-Matrix

2. Zip-file with all of your articles (Naming convention of zip-file: RDP AR PE Articles)

For the RDP: Action Research and Program Evaluation Pre-Matrix, you will:

1. Select 3 research study articles published in a peer-reviewed journal related to your topic of interest.

a. All articles must be educational studies published within the past five years.

b. All articles must be on the same or connecting subject matter.

c. Articles cannot be literature reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses or meta-syntheses, any other type of review or synthesis, longitudinal studies, or instrument validation studies; all research evaluated must be original/single empirical research. Reports and dissertations are not allowed as they are not peer-reviewed journal articles.

2. Each of the 3 articles will have a different research design.

You must select:

a. 1 Action Research study using a quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods research design (AR-QUAN, AR-QUAL, or AR-MM)

b. 1 Program Evaluation using a quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods research design (PE-QUAN, PE-QUAL, or PE-MM))

And 1 of the following designs:

c. Action Research using a different research design than the one used above.

d. Program Evaluation using a different research design than the one used above.

3. For 1 and only one of your article searches, you are required to use artificial intelligence (AI) to find and verify your article.

a. You may only use M365 Copilot, LU’s approved source for AI.

b. You may only use AI to complete the components in the pre-matrix for that single study.

c. You will identify which research design component you used AI for and include a copy of your “conversation” after your reference section in the template.

d. Please remember that AI is not always correct, and you have to use your knowledge gained for the week in determining whether AI’s information is usable or if you have to reprogram.

e. Remember to download the article!

Microsoft Copilot Software – As a student, you have access to this tool as part of the Microsoft 365 software package. You can also access it from your myLU account > IT Marketplace > Scroll down to Microsoft 365 Software (under IT Marketplace Software).

4. Be sure to download every article and save it in a folder on your computer. You may be asked to produce the article if the instructor has any issues downloading it. This will also ensure that the article is real!

Helpful Information

For help finding articles in general, refer to and Read: Suggestions and Tips for Determining Research Designs in the Learn section of this module for more information.

Any sections requiring textbook support must use the textbook from this course.

For help determining the specific research design used, please use your textbook readings, PowerPoint slides, videos, and the Read: Qualitative Research: Common Types of Data Collection, Analyses, and Research Design and the Read: Quantitative Research: Common Types of Analyses and Research Designs in the previous modules.

It is highly recommended that you search for articles in your capstone interest area. Additionally, higher-tiered journals are preferred over lower-tiered journals as they provide better information from top experts. The link to the tiered rankings can be found in this assignment’s resource section, located in the assignment description: SCImago Country & Journal Rank.

Using the provided Research Design Project Action Research and Program Evaluation Pre-Matrix Template, provide the following information in a paraphrased format:

· In the pre-matrix

· Type of article

· Article reference (must hyperlink DOI)

· Narrative in-text citation

· Parenthetical in-text citation

· Rationale with support from the article for how you know it is either action research or program evaluation (include page/paragraph number)

· Rationale with support from the textbook for how you know it is either action research or program evaluation (include page/paragraph number)

· Specific research design (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods program evaluation; quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods action research). Note: If it is action research, identify whether it is practical or participatory action research. If either design uses mixed methods, you must include the type of mixed method design.

Please see Read: Suggestions and Tips for Determining Research Designs in the Learn section of this module.

· Rationale with support from the article for how you know the design is correctly identified (include page/paragraph number). Additionally, you will also address the following:

· If action research (practical or participatory)

· If program evaluation (which type)

· Rationale with support from the textbook for how you know design is correctly identified (include page number)

· AI Identification if used for the study (hyperlink to AI Conversation heading which has already been bookmarked)

· After the pre-matrix

· You will answer a few questions about how research design is encapsulated in a biblical worldview. You must include Bible verses to support each of your answers.

· Reference page: Include references for the course textbook and Bible sources

· AI Conversation (already bookmarked in template): You can go to the AI conversation in M365 Copilot and copy and paste it under this heading. I encourage you to copy and paste along the way in the event of a technological issue. See the separate M365 Copilot Conversation document in the assignment instructions. This document provides information on how to hyperlink and copy information.

Current APA formatting is expected throughout your paper (see the APA Help Sheet or the APA Style Guideline linked in the Resource section of the assignment description).

The Research Design Project Action Research and Program Evaluation Pre-Matrix Sample has been provided for your reference.

Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.

References

Kitsantas, A., Cleary, T. J., DiBenedetto, M. K., & Hiller, S. E. (2023). Essentials of research methods for educators. SAGE Publications, Inc. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781071830710

Miller, D. C., & Salkind, N. J. (2002). Handbook of research design and social measurement. SAGE Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412984386.n1