Research Proposals
PGCE Secondary SS
The Research Proposal
A document in which you provide a detailed plan
of a research project you wish to carry out.
 Provides a Context or overview for the research
by way of locating the research within a field of
study
 Provides a cogent plan of action with respect to
the research paradigm to be used, data
collection methods and the validation of the
findings

Diagramatic representation
Based on research into the use of IWBs in a secondary classroom in the UK
Context

Locates your area of research within the
discipline

I would provide an overview of the development
of the use of computers as educational tools and
provide a brief overview thereof... introduced
nearly 30 years ago, increasing accessibility in
(especially) developed world, but no clear
evidence of their use having impacted on
learning.
Introduction

Narrow focus to the UK
– Use of computers supported by (especially)
Labour and numbers of computers in UK
secondary schools grown (provide figures).
– ICT a discrete subject but also supposed to be
used as cross-curricular tools in subject
teaching. However, this has proved
problematic due to lack of equipment in
classes, lack of training for staff... Some
believe that IWBs can solve problem
The Interactive Whiteboard

Describe what an IWB is and what it does
Detailed discussion of academic literature
on use of IWBs in schools, focused on UK
and secondary schools
Methodology
Which research paradigm (quantitative,
qualitative) and why, highlighting
strengths of paradigm chosen
 Data collection method, justifying method
chosen
 Issues with design of data collection
instrument – bias – and how to overcome

Methodology
 Describe
what you wish to do
– Look at use of IWB in a specific
class/classes
The issue of validity... triangulation and steps
taken to ensure validity of data and
interpretation thereof