SECTION A [COMPULSORY] Question 1
1.1 Describe action research.
Action research is a reflective, systematic approach to investigating problems or questions
within a specific context, often with the aim of improving practices. It typically involves
collaboration between practitioners, such as teachers or researchers, to explore issues
they face in their work environments. This method is cyclical in nature, involving a series of
steps: identifying a problem, planning an intervention, implementing the intervention,
observing the outcomes, and reflecting on the results. The reflective process allows for
continuous adjustments to be made based on observations and data. In educational
settings, action research is particularly useful for addressing issues related to teaching
methods, student engagement, or parental involvement, as it emphasizes practical, real-
world solutions. It encourages practitioners to critically examine their own practices,
generate data, and create strategies that lead to improvement, fostering an environment of
continuous learning and adaptation.
Identify the problem. Define the issue or question needing investigation.
Plan an intervention. Develop a strategy or action to address the problem.
Implement the intervention. Put the planned action into practice.
Observe and collect data: Monitor the effects and gather evidence on the intervention's
impact.
Reflect and evaluate. Analyze the data to understand the outcomes and refine the
intervention as needed.
This methodology is participatory, engaging stakeholders (e.g., educators, parents, and
students) in the process, and aims to generate meaningful change through iterative
learning and action.
1.2 State whether the following statements are True or False. Write down only the number
and your answer.
a) An educational research code should have a national focus.
True
b) The compilation of a research code should be done by external consultants, without the
input of academics, to minimise biases.
False
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, c) All educational researchers, including master’s and doctoral students, should endorse
the code.
True
d) The code should be concise, reader-friendly, and available in all major languages.
True
1.3 Name the factors that compromise the quality of educational research and
inhibit proper supervision and quality control.
Inadequate supervision
Postgraduate students often receive insufficient supervision, which impacts the quality of
their dissertations or theses. Supervisors may lack experience in research methodology or
may not provide enough guidance.
Language barriers
Students or researchers with language difficulties may struggle to clearly communicate
their ideas, leading to issues in the quality of their research.
Lack of proper research methodology training
Students and some researchers may not be well-trained in research methods, affecting the
rigor and quality of their work.
Overburdened referees
The limited number of accredited journals leads to a high volume of submissions. This can
result in rushed peer-review processes and compromised quality of published articles.
Isolationist culture
Many researchers work in isolation without engaging with others' work, leading to fewer
collaborative studies or meta-analyses that could enhance the quality and impact of
educational research.
1.4 Describe how you would democratize educational research.
I would:
Involving teachers and educational professionals in conducting research to solve practical
problems within their own work environments could make research more inclusive and
practically relevant.
Groups of educators, researchers, and stakeholders could collaborate in regional or local
research guilds. These teams could focus on practical, innovative research that is directly
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1.1 Describe action research.
Action research is a reflective, systematic approach to investigating problems or questions
within a specific context, often with the aim of improving practices. It typically involves
collaboration between practitioners, such as teachers or researchers, to explore issues
they face in their work environments. This method is cyclical in nature, involving a series of
steps: identifying a problem, planning an intervention, implementing the intervention,
observing the outcomes, and reflecting on the results. The reflective process allows for
continuous adjustments to be made based on observations and data. In educational
settings, action research is particularly useful for addressing issues related to teaching
methods, student engagement, or parental involvement, as it emphasizes practical, real-
world solutions. It encourages practitioners to critically examine their own practices,
generate data, and create strategies that lead to improvement, fostering an environment of
continuous learning and adaptation.
Identify the problem. Define the issue or question needing investigation.
Plan an intervention. Develop a strategy or action to address the problem.
Implement the intervention. Put the planned action into practice.
Observe and collect data: Monitor the effects and gather evidence on the intervention's
impact.
Reflect and evaluate. Analyze the data to understand the outcomes and refine the
intervention as needed.
This methodology is participatory, engaging stakeholders (e.g., educators, parents, and
students) in the process, and aims to generate meaningful change through iterative
learning and action.
1.2 State whether the following statements are True or False. Write down only the number
and your answer.
a) An educational research code should have a national focus.
True
b) The compilation of a research code should be done by external consultants, without the
input of academics, to minimise biases.
False
1
, c) All educational researchers, including master’s and doctoral students, should endorse
the code.
True
d) The code should be concise, reader-friendly, and available in all major languages.
True
1.3 Name the factors that compromise the quality of educational research and
inhibit proper supervision and quality control.
Inadequate supervision
Postgraduate students often receive insufficient supervision, which impacts the quality of
their dissertations or theses. Supervisors may lack experience in research methodology or
may not provide enough guidance.
Language barriers
Students or researchers with language difficulties may struggle to clearly communicate
their ideas, leading to issues in the quality of their research.
Lack of proper research methodology training
Students and some researchers may not be well-trained in research methods, affecting the
rigor and quality of their work.
Overburdened referees
The limited number of accredited journals leads to a high volume of submissions. This can
result in rushed peer-review processes and compromised quality of published articles.
Isolationist culture
Many researchers work in isolation without engaging with others' work, leading to fewer
collaborative studies or meta-analyses that could enhance the quality and impact of
educational research.
1.4 Describe how you would democratize educational research.
I would:
Involving teachers and educational professionals in conducting research to solve practical
problems within their own work environments could make research more inclusive and
practically relevant.
Groups of educators, researchers, and stakeholders could collaborate in regional or local
research guilds. These teams could focus on practical, innovative research that is directly
2
