Future-Proof Education
Project Based Learning Framework
Dr. Abirami V
Assistant Professor of English
Language and Research 1
A touchstone approach to ensure that our
research project journey is systematic,
coherent and methodical to ensure
successfully reach our destination.
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The Research Process - Stages
1. Broad Idea /
Domain
2.
Identification
of the Problem
and Problem
Statement
Project Based Learning Framework
3. Refine the
Research
Questions
4. Lay
Research
Design
5. Track
Progress in
Research
6. Successful
completion
3
Stage 1 – Broad Idea/ Domain
Areas of Knowledge and Interest
Scientific, Social, or Practical relevance
Availability of data and sources
Length and Timeframe available
Approval and Acknowledge
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Stage 2 – Define Your Problem
A research problem is a specific issue, difficulty,
contradiction, or gap in knowledge that you will aim
to address in your research.
Practical problems aimed at
contributing to change
Project Based Learning Framework
Theoretical problems aimed
at expanding knowledge
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Stage 2.2 – Draft Your Problem Statement
Put the problem in context
Describe the precise issue
Show the relevance of the
problem
Set the objectives of the research
Goal: To seek out the reasons behind the problem and
propose more effective approaches to tackling or
understanding it
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Stage 2.2 – Problem Statement
– Aim & Objective
Aim: The overall purpose of your
research. (written in the infinitive
form)
Objective: The concrete steps you
will take to achieve the aim
The aim of this study is
to determine…
Qualitative Methods will be
used to identify…
This project aims to explore…
Using statistical analysis, the
research will measure…
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Sample – Aims and Objectives
The aim of this research is to investigate effective engagement strategies to
increase voter turnout in region X. It will identify the most significant factors in
non-voting through surveys and interviews, and conduct experiments to
measure the effectiveness of different strategies.
This project aims to better understand young people’s experiences in the gig
economy. Qualitative methods will be used to gain in-depth insight into the
motivations and perceptions of under-30s engaged in freelance and zero-hour
work across various industries. This data will be contextualized with a review of
recent literature on the gig economy and statistical analysis of demographic
changes in the workforce
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Stage 3 – Refine Research Question
Focused on a single problem or issue
Researchable using primary and/or secondary sources
Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints
Specific enough to answer thoroughly
Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper or thesis
Relevant to your field of study and/or society more broadly
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Research Question
Central question is the overarching question you
explore in the research study.
• Sub questions divide the central question into
smaller, specific questions.
– Issue sub questions: Narrow the focus of the
central question into specific issues.
– Procedural sub questions: Indicate the steps to be
used in analyzing the data in a qualitative study.
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Sample – Research Problem
Live online sessions may be delivered in virtual
classrooms from Adobe Connect, Elluminate,
GoToMeeting, Wimba, or other software programs.
Regardless of the software used, student attendance at
live online sessions, especially optional ones, can be
unpredictable at best. It is a common complaint
among the online faculty at a university in the south
that many, oftentimes most, of their students do not
attend the live online sessions. This study will address
the problem of low student attendance at nonmandatory virtual classroom meetings in online
college courses.
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Sample – Problem Statement
The interaction level in a synchronous class, also known as
web conferencing, to be a significant factor in the
effectiveness of the class.
However, if students do not attend, then they cannot
interact nor express themselves. Research concerning the
use of newer multimedia technologies, such as interactive
synchronous web conferencing tools, is in its infancy and
needs further and continued study.
The aim of the research is to explore absenteeism from
nonmandatory synchronous sessions in the virtual learning
environment, Wimba Classroom, by undergraduate and
graduate students in online courses at a southern university.
This study will benefit college and university administrators
who can create or revise policies based upon the results.
Administrators may even decide to change virtual
classroom providers. Faculty may benefit if results indicate a
change is needed in their own practices. Finally, the study
will benefit online students whose learning experiences will
Project Based Learning Framework be improved by the findings.
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Sample – Research Question
What are students’ attitudes regarding nonmandatory
synchronous sessions in Wimba at a Southern
University?
1. What are students’ reasons for attending nonmandatory
synchronous sessions in Wimba?
2. What are students’ reasons for not attending
nonmandatory synchronous sessions in Wimba?
3. What actions could the university or its instructors take
that would motivate students to increase their attendance
at nonmandatory synchronous online sessions?
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Finally…
If you find yourself stuck, always ask yourself:
Am I spending too much time on this work?
Have I gone back to read an article or learn a method that would help
me understand this work better?
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