Running head: RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
Title of research project set
centered and double-spaced in
uppercase and lowercase
approximately 3-½ in. from the
top of the page.
Be sure to set the running head in ALL CAPS flush left
in the header. Be sure the pagination (page number) is
set flush right in the header. Use small Roman
numerals for introductory matter (title page, contents
page, etc.) and Arabic numerals for text pages. Only
the first page contains the identifier “Running head:”.
A Template for the Master of Education
Option A Research Report
Vince Aleccia
Eastern Washington University
Your name and institutional
affiliation set centered and
double-spaced in uppercase
and lowercase directly below
title of the research project.
Presented to the Department of Education
of Eastern Washington University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree
Master of Education
June 10, 2016
Institutional details and date
of submission set centered
and double-spaced in
uppercase and lowercase
approximately 6-½ in. from
the top of the page.
i
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
Contents
ii
Please note that each Level 2
heading is indented the same.
CHAPTER 1 ....................................................................................................................................1
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................1
Significance of the Study .......................................................................................................1
Statement of the Research Problem .......................................................................................2
Research Questions ................................................................................................................3
Limitations of the Study.........................................................................................................4
Definition of Terms................................................................................................................4
On the Importance of the Content Page(s) .............................................................................5
A Note on Option A ...............................................................................................................6
Some Formatting Pointers......................................................................................................6
CHAPTER 2 ....................................................................................................................................7
Literature Review.............................................................................................................................7
Your First Level 2 Heading ...................................................................................................8
This is a Level 3 heading ............................................................................................8
This is another Level 3 heading ..................................................................................8
Your Second Level 2 Heading ...............................................................................................9
Your Third Level 2 Heading ..................................................................................................9
Some Writing Strategies to Consider ...................................................................................10
Conclusion ...........................................................................................................................12
CHAPTER 3 ..................................................................................................................................13
Project Design ................................................................................................................................13
Type of Design and Underlying Assumptions .....................................................................13
Please note that
each Level 3
heading is
indented the same.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
iii
Qualifications and Assumptions of the Researcher .............................................................14
Participants and Site .............................................................................................................14
Concerning Level 3 headings.....................................................................................15
Description of site ......................................................................................................15
Data Collection ....................................................................................................................16
Data Analysis .......................................................................................................................16
A Final Note .........................................................................................................................17
CHAPTER 4 ..................................................................................................................................18
Project Implementation and Analysis ............................................................................................18
Description of the Project ....................................................................................................18
Changes Made ......................................................................................................................18
Data Collection ....................................................................................................................19
Data Analysis .......................................................................................................................20
Challenges Experienced .......................................................................................................21
Final Information on Tables and Figures .............................................................................21
CHAPTER 5 ..................................................................................................................................22
Conclusions and Reflections ..........................................................................................................22
What to Do Differently Next Time ......................................................................................22
Reflections on My Own Growth ..........................................................................................23
A Note on References ..........................................................................................................23
Suggested Length of the Research Report ...........................................................................23
REFERENCES ..............................................................................................................................24
APPENDICES ...............................................................................................................................25
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
iv
Appendix A—Letter to Parents ...........................................................................................26
Appendix B—Student Survey .............................................................................................27
Please note that the page numbers
are aligned right. This can be easily
done using the Tabs menu located
under the Format pull-down menu.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
v
Tables
Table 1—NBCT Responses to “I perform work that suits my values” .........................................20
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
vi
Abstract
Immediately after the contents page (or list of tables and/or figures, if your research
report requires them), you will insert an abstract. This is a passage of about 150 words that
conveys what your research report addresses. In broad strokes, provide the reader with a
summary of your study and your findings. You likely will reveal the type of research
methodology (or methodologies) you used, whether qualitative, quantitative, or mixed. Use
active voice, avoid technical jargon if at all possible, and be as parsimonious as possible with
your words. Set the label centered 1 in. from the top of the page in bold. Be sure the text of your
abstract is set double-space, like everything else in your research report. This is the last
introductory component before you begin the first chapter. Because it appears before the text of
your research report, the abstract is not listed on the contents page(s).
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
Please note that the chapter
designator is set centered in all caps
bold 2 inches from the top of the
page. This is done for all chapters.
CHAPTER 1
1
Please note that the title of the
chapter (a Level 1 heading) is set
centered in bold caps and lower
case double-spaced under the
chapter designator. This, too, is
done for all chapters.
Introduction
The first chapter of your Option A research report for the MEd program provides an
overview and framework of the project for your reader. It should consist of six sections: (a)
introduction, (b) significance of the study, (c) statement of the research problem, (d) research
questions, (e) limitations of the study, and (f) definitions of terms. As with the other chapters of
your research project, the first section, which serves as an introduction, does not have a Level 2
heading. Hence, it begins as this paragraph does: indented but otherwise unadorned. Be sure to
paginate in the upper-right corner with a running head in the upper-left. (The first chapter will
normally begin with “1” for the pagination; the introductory pages such as the title page, contents
page, and pages containing lists of tables or figures will be paginated using lower-case Roman
numerals [i, ii, iii, etc.].) You may wish to cite specific sources that you’ve encountered in your
research that will convey the essence of the background of your research project. When you have
provided the appropriate overview and background for the reader, you will then need to provide
the reader with an advance organizer. A listing of the sections as given in the second sentence of
this paragraph will suffice. Use APA seriation for elements within a paragraph for this listing as
discussed on page 64 of the Publication Manual. Once you’ve given your reader a sufficient
introduction, you’re ready to continue with the rest of your first chapter.
Significance of the Study
Please note the use and format
of this Level 2 heading.
In this section, you should explain why this study is important. If, for example, you will
focus on the importance of teaching study skills to incoming high school freshmen, you need to
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
2
ask yourself questions about the importance of this topic. Have student scores on standardized
assessments lagged in a particular area? Do students need remediation in notetaking or other
study skills? Do students need additional structure in working productively in cooperative
groups? How could your research study improve the situation or condition of students, teachers,
or education in general? You may wish to cite specific studies that you encounter in your review
of literature that address the significance of your research project. As Glatthorn and Joyner
(2005) suggested,
a professionally significant study can contribute in one or more of these ways: test a
theory, contribute to the development of theory, extend existing knowledge, change
prevailing beliefs, suggest relationships between phenomena, extend a research
methodology or instrument, or provide greater depth of knowledge about a previously
studied phenomenon. (p. 114)
In essence, this section answers the imperative question “So what?” that is crucial to
understanding the significance of your research study. If you’re clear about the answer to “So
what?”, then you’ll have a better understanding of why you’re conducting your study and, just as
importantly, so will your reader.
Statement of the Research Problem
Please note the use and format of this long (40+
words) quote. The period appears after the last
word of the quote, not after the parenthetical cite.
Begin this section with a statement that starts “The purpose of this research project is
to….” Because this statement encapsulates the essence of your research project, you should take
great care in making it as complete as possible. As with the other sections of your first chapter,
you may wish to cite specific sources that address some aspect of the purpose of your research
project. An example of this is the long quote from Glatthorn and Joyner (2005) used in the
previous section. Please note that with an indented long quote, quotation marks at the beginning
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
3
and end of the quote should not be used. The indentation of the quote serves as the typographical
indicator that the passage is a quotation.
Research Questions
This section of your first chapter provides the reader with the specific questions your
research project will address. You will need a sentence or two that introduces your research
questions such as “To determine the effectiveness of teaching study skills to ninth-grade students
during their first quarter of high school, I will examine the following questions….” When you
list your research questions, be sure to number them with Arabic numerals followed by a period.
(See pages 63-64 of the Publication Manual for a rationale and more detailed explanation.) Here
is an example of this format:
1. What study skills do entering freshmen have?
2. To what extent does training in study skills improve the academic grades of students who
are exposed to this training?
3. Do entering freshmen who are not given training in study skills perform better than, as
well as, or less well than students who are exposed to this training?
The scope and sequence of these questions are crucial as they form the major focus of your
research project. Be sure they’re in the most logical order. This is also important because your
research questions will almost certainly be tied to the sections of your literature review in the
second chapter. Also, be thinking about what type or types of data you will use to answer the
questions. Creating research questions without thinking about the data sources to use in
answering them is one of the most common mistakes beginning researchers make. In addition,
you will examine how you answered these questions in your final chapter of your research study.
Thus, they serve as structural bookends that mark the focus and results of your research project
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
4
in the first and last chapters. When you have finished listing your research questions, you’re
ready to move on to the next section in your first chapter.
Limitations of the Study
This section should make clear exactly what your research project will address as well as
what it won’t. If, for example, your research project will examine the impact of study skills on
entering freshman students at a high school, then be sure to indicate that you will not look at the
impact of study skills on other students in the school. If your research project will examine only
two sections of students in an experimental-control group structure, be sure to indicate that the
research project will not affect all freshman students. Other limitations may include factors that
you have no direct control over such as a budget cut in the middle of the year that affects the
planned outcome of your research project. It’s imperative that your reader knows exactly what
you plan to address in your study and what you plan to leave out. As with so much else in life,
accurate framing of what your study will and will not address is crucial.
Definition of Terms
One of the most important hallmarks of academic writing—or any writing for that
matter—is precision. You may well use terms that you encounter in your review of the literature
that are employed in specific ways in your research project. Thus, for the sake of clarity, be sure
to define these terms precisely for your reader. After your Level 2 heading, and before you list
your terms, be sure to indicate why you’re operationalizing these terms. For example, “It’s
essential that the reader knows exactly what is meant by some specialized terms that appear in
this research report. To give the reader that information, a list of terms follows with their specific
definitions as they apply to this study.” When you define a term, please begin with a paragraph
indentation and then list the term in boldface followed by a colon. End each definition with a
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
5
period. If you are using a term as defined by a researcher, be sure to cite the source at the end of
your definition. Please follow this formatting precisely, and be sure to list your terms in
alphabetical order. Here are three examples for you:
National Board Certified Teacher: an accomplished teacher who has demonstrated
professional mastery through certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards. Such a teacher is referred to as an NBCT. National Board certified teachers receive
certification in a specific subject are (for example, mathematics or art) and at a specific
development level (for example, Early Adolescence [EA] or Adolescence and Young Adulthood
[AYA]).
Professional Development School: a school, usually an elementary school, with ties to a
college or university teacher-training program that serves as a laboratory for training teachers
and, often, teacher leaders.
Role Conflict: the incompatibility or incongruency a teacher leader experiences in
performing professional duties—especially as they pertain to tension between (a) the teacher
leader’s internal standards or values and the defined role behavior; (b) the time or resources and
the defined role behavior; (c) several roles the teacher leader must assume and the accompanying
changes in behavior each role requires; and (d) institutional demands and requests from others,
including co-workers and supervisors (Rizzo, House, & Lirtzman, 1970).
On the Importance of the Contents Page(s)
The contents page or pages of your research report are more than simply a list of the
chapters and sections of your report. They serve as an integral structural device that provides the
organizing principle for the entire report. In essence, a well-structured contents page or pages
also doubles as an outline. The reader can readily consult it to determine the hierarchical
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
6
relationships between Level 2 headings within a chapter as well as any Level 3 headings (or, if
necessary, Level 4 headings) and their relationship with the appropriate Level heading which
they support. Please be sure your contents page or pages serve this purpose. Carefully check that
the Level 2 headings and Level 3 headings are organized correctly. Please ensure that you format
your headings correctly. (See pages 62-63 of the Publication Manual for more information.)
A Note on Option A
This option of the MEd research report should focus on a product such as a curriculum
unit or other independent variable that can make a difference for students and your institution—
whether classroom, school, or district. It should be a topic that you are passionate about. You
will, of course, spend a good deal of time on the research and writing of the report as well as
designing the project, collecting the data, and analyzing them. Therefore, choose your project
carefully as you will be living with it for a year (or more).
Some Formatting Pointers
When you set up your formatting defaults, be sure you have no additional space inserted
when you hit the Return key. To check this, first click on the Paragraph pull-down menu. Then
under Spacing be sure that both Before and After are set at 0 pt. Line spacing should also be set
as Double. If you make these settings your default, you’ll never have to worry about this while
you’re writing your research report. In addition, remember that APA style requires the use of the
Oxford comma in a list. Be sure, moreover, that your double quotation marks are “smart quotes”
(“x”) instead of inch markers ("x") and that your single quotation marks or apostrophes are also
true single quotation markers or apostrophes (‘x’) instead of foot markers ('x'). These details will
enhance the professional appearance of your finished research report.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
7
CHAPTER 2
Literature Review
The second chapter of your Option A research report for the MEd program encompasses
a synthesis of the pertinent research literature that you have examined. It should consist of
several sections including the following: (a) an introduction, (b) several segments of the
literature review, and (c) a set of conclusions. The number of segments of the literature review
itself will depend on the number of research questions you have for your research project.
Ideally, each research question should be correlated to one of the sections of the literature review
itself. For example, if your research project focuses on study skills of incoming high school
freshmen—the example used in the sample first chapter—then your sections of the literature
review should be aligned with your research questions. If your first research question deals with
the study skills preparation that incoming freshmen have, then the appropriately related section
of the literature review should be devoted to studies that address this topic and be labeled with a
fitting Level 2 heading such as Study-Skills Preparation of Incoming Freshmen (set, of course, in
boldface flush left).
As with the other chapters of your research project, your introductory section will be
without a Level 2 heading. Thus, it should begin as the first two paragraphs in this sample:
indented but otherwise unadorned. Likewise, be sure to have your running head and pagination
in the header. (Your second chapter will begin with the pagination number following the last
page number of the first chapter. For example, if your last page of the first chapter was page 6,
the first pagination number in your second chapter would be “7” as in this sample paper.) You
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
8
should also provide your reader with an advance organizer for the structure of this chapter, just
as you did in the first chapter. You might model this advance organizer on the second sentence of
the first paragraph above. Once you’ve completed your introductory section, you’re ready to
tackle the main part of your literature review. Please note the use and format
of these Level 3 headings.
Your First Level 2 Heading
This section of your literature review should be tied to one (and, ideally, the first) of your
research questions. Remember that a literature review should not be merely a collection of
annotations about sources. Rather, each section of your literature review should flow coherently
using sources to bolster your points in that particular section. Be sure to cite your studies (either
in text or parenthetically) using APA format. (See chapter 6, “Crediting Sources,” especially
sections 6.11 through 6.21 [pages 174-179] in the Publication Manual for guidance.) In addition,
be sure to keep a Level 2 heading connected to at least the first two lines of text that the heading
introduces. Separating a heading on one page and starting the text on the following page creates
typographical widows (the headings) and orphans (the separated text).
This is a Level 3 heading. Each section of your literature review may be subdivided into
subsections. If you choose this method of organization, be sure each subsection uses a Level 3
heading. These subsections may be a single paragraph or a collection of paragraphs. And please
remember that no paragraph should be longer than a single page. As with any other type of
outlining mechanism, be sure to have at least two Level 3 headings under a Level 2 heading.
This is another Level 3 heading. Each Level 3 heading is set in boldface just as Level 2
headings are. But unlike Level 2 headings, Level 3 headings are indented and have only the first
letter of the first word (and any proper nouns or adjectives) capitalized. Further, they end with a
period (or other end punctuation such as a question mark) to separate them from the rest of the
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
9
text in the paragraph. A word on structural simplicity here: There are Level 4 and Level 5
headings, but avoid them unless they’re absolutely necessary. If you must use them, then follow
the formatting guide on pages 62-63 of the Publication Manual concerning level of headings.
Your Second Level 2 Heading
This section of your literature review should be tied to another (and, ideally, the second)
of your research questions. Please be sure to cite your sources consistently using APA style. If
you’re citing a study with three authors in your text, you would use the citation form of Brown,
Smith, and Jones (2009). If, however, you give the citation within parentheses, you’ll need to
replace the conjunction “and” with an ampersand (&). This form of citation would be thus:
(Brown, Smith, & Jones, 2009). Observing these stylistic requirements will mark your paper as a
professional effort. Please note, however, that on the second and subsequent citations of sources
with three authors, you’ll need to list only the first author with “et al.” (meaning “and the rest” in
Latin) following. Be sure to refer to the chapter titled “Reference Examples” (pages 193-224) in
the Publication Manual. Pay special attention to the table on page 177 titled “Basic Citation
Styles.” This resource will be invaluable as you write your research project, and you may wish to
sleep with it under your pillow!
Your Third Level 2 Heading
As noted above, there is no set number of sections in the literature review. Some reviews
may have only two sections while others may have three, four, or more. This will depend largely
on the number of research questions you have guiding your research project. As a suggestion,
you may wish to check your list of references to be sure that each piece of literature you mention
in this chapter is listed alphabetically by author in the reference list. This list follows the last
chapter and precedes any material in the Appendix. Doing this at the end of each draft of each
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
10
chapter will simplify the process of compiling your list of references at the end of the writing
process (and, incidentally, prevent premature graying of your hair). Please remember, too, that
Option A of the research report for the MEd program requires a minimum of 25 sources in your
literature review.
Some Writing Strategies to Consider
Clear, readable writing is the currency in which scholars trade. Indeed, the three
hallmarks of good writing are clarity, economy, and precision. One of the best ways to become
an accomplished writer is to write frequently and edit carefully. As with most other endeavors,
there is no substitute for practice. Bookstores and libraries carry dozens of writing guides;
consider consulting several and buying at least one to reference regularly. One of the best and
most venerable is Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style, which has gone through multiple
revisions since its first appearance in 1959. Though slender, its 85 pages will provide reliable
advice about improving your writing. Consider the passage under Rule 17, “Omit needless
words”:
Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a
paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no
unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer
make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in
outline, but that every word tell. (p. 23)
In this 63-word passage, Strunk and White provide a solid principle about economy in writing.
Cut ruthlessly as you edit: if a 2-word phrase can be replaced with a single strong word, do so.
Rely on strong nouns and verbs that don’t require second-string adjectives and adverbs.
Please note that indented quotes such as
this do not have double quotation marks at
the beginning or end. The indentation alerts
the reader that this is a quote.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
11
Another strategy to consider is to have a structure as you write. The structure, of course,
may change as you move through the writing process, but it’s crucial to have a plan. At the least,
be sure you know what your main idea or thesis is. Time spent clarifying this critical part of your
document will pay handsome dividends. How will you develop your thesis? Will you use a
chronological, spatial, or importance order as you write? One way to keep this in your mind is
tape a copy of your thesis near your computer screen. As you finish each paragraph and save (a
good habit to cultivate), be sure to ask yourself if the last bit you’ve written in some way relates
to and develops your thesis. If it doesn’t, then there’s a good chance you should delete or at least
rewrite the paragraph. This incremental process—though initially painstaking—will ensure a
more coherent, unified document.
One of the trickiest parts of writing a research report or thesis is to align the reference list
with your in-text citations. If you don’t use a program such as RefWorks or EndNotes, consider
using this process: as you read your draft, place a check next to the appropriate entry in your
reference list. When you’ve finished reading the draft, each citation should be checked in the
reference list. If not, then be sure to add it. If a source in your reference list is not checked, then
be sure to delete it.
Another strategy to help polish your writing is having someone whose judgment you trust
read your draft. (Having two people is even better, provided they are careful readers.) Often, as
we edit our work, we tend to overlook phrases and sentences that contain unnecessary words or
words that have been unconsciously omitted. Another related problem is that of “eye skips.” This
is when a reader’s eyes unconsciously pass over an entire line of text, a far-too-common
occurrence. Having another pair of eyes to read your draft will lessen the chance of these events
happening.
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Finally, be sure that each paragraph in your research report is at least one sentence long
but no more than one page. Your readers will appreciate not having to slog through
excruciatingly long paragraphs. Not only that, but having an entire page of text without an
typographical respite in the form of headings or other graphics such as tables or figures can be a
terrific eyestrain.
Conclusion
When you have finished synthesizing your sources for the body of the literature review,
you will need to present your findings in a final section. This may be a paragraph or two that
recapitulates the major themes and findings of your literature review. It may, of course, be longer
depending on the complexity of your literature review.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
13
CHAPTER 3
Project Design
Chapter 3 of your Option A research report for the MEd program should consist of six
sections: (a) introduction, (b) type of design and the assumptions that underlie it, (c) the role of
the researcher including qualifications and assumptions, (d) selection and description of the site
and participants, (e) data-collection strategies, and (f) data-analysis strategies. As with the other
chapters of your research project, the first section, which serves as a framework for what follows,
does not have a Level 2 heading. Hence, it begins as this paragraph does: indented but otherwise
unadorned. Be sure to continue the pagination in the upper-right corner. (This sample chapter
begins with “13” for the pagination because of the relative brevity of this template, but in reality
your third chapter will probably begin with “20” or thereabouts, taking into account the
pagination for your first and second chapters.) When you have provided a framework for the
reader that briefly recapitulates the first two chapters (a few sentences at most), you will then
need to provide the reader with an advance organizer. A listing of the sections as given in the
first sentence of this paragraph will suffice. Once you have given your reader a recapitulation of
the first two chapters and an advance organizer for the rest of the third chapter, you’re ready to
continue.
Type of Design and Underlying Assumptions
In this section, you should address what your specific design is. Indicate whether you will
use a quantitative design, a qualitative design, or a mixed methodology design. You may wish to
use one of the models given in the Leedy and Ormrod text used in EDUC 520 if your design
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14
includes a quantitative component. You should also address the underlying assumptions by
explaining why you chose the particular research design you did. (Why does your research
project lend itself to the particular research design you chose?) You can use a quote, paraphrase,
or summary from the Leedy and Ormrod text or any other research methods text to support your
choice, if this seems to work. When you’ve provided your reader with a rationale for the
particular design type you’ve chosen, you’re ready to move to the next section.
Qualifications and Assumptions of the Researcher
In this section, you have the opportunity (and the obligation) of giving the pertinent
professional and philosophical background about yourself. Why exactly are your qualified to
conduct this research project? What professional background (formal academic work as well as
staff-development experiences) do you have that make you the right person to research your
topic? What assumptions do you have? (You may want to mention the idea that in action
research, the researcher has the dual identity of participant-observer. And you may want to
explain the effect that this dual identity could have on your research project.) Once you’ve
explained why you’re qualified and what your philosophical assumptions about the research
project are, you’re ready to move to the next section.
Participants and Site
This section of your third chapter focuses on the participants and the location of the
research project. Be as specific as possible when explaining how you chose your participants.
Did you use students solely from your own class or classes? Did you use students from other
classrooms in your building? From other buildings in your district? Was your population a true
population or a sample? If you used a sample, was it random, cluster, or systematic? If you used
a random sample, was it simple, stratified, or proportional? (Consult the Leedy and Ormrod text
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
15
or any reputable research methods text if the details are fuzzy.) Precision, which is always a good
thing in writing, is particularly important when explaining your participant selection. Sometimes,
a sample of convenience is necessary. If you use such a sample, please explain why. You should
also indicate in this section how you addressed the issue of participant safety. This will include a
discussion of your Institutional Review Board (IRB) application that you completed. It’s a good
idea to include a copy of your approved IRB application in the appendix. If you’re using other
teachers besides yourself, you’ll want to provide appropriate background information on them
(for example, their academic qualifications, years of professional experience, etc.).
Concerning Level 3 headings. In this section, a logical organizing principle would be to
have two subsections: one for participants and one for location. If you choose to use this
organizing principle, be sure to introduce each subsection with a Level 3 heading. This paragraph
begins with such a heading. Please note the Level 3 heading is boldfaced like the Level 2, but it
is indented and ends with a period. In addition, only the first letter of the first word and any
proper nouns or adjectives are capitalized, unlike the Level 2 heading in which the first letter of
all principal words is capitalized. Also please note that if you divide a section that begins with a
Level 2 heading, you should have at least a sentence of text separating the Level 2 heading from
the first Level 3 heading.
Description of site. In this section, you will provide the reader with all of the pertinent
particulars of the research project’s location. For example, if you’re using a specific classroom,
be sure to describe the details that will affect aspects of your research project. The size, color,
lighting, wall coverings, floors, and desk arrangement of the classroom might figure importantly
in your project. If so, give the particulars for your reader. You may also wish to provide specific
details about the school building if it’s germane. Of course, if your project involves using sites at
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16
two or more schools, then you’ll need to adjust your description accordingly. The rule of thumb
is to provide enough detail to the reader without overwhelming her. When you’ve provided
sufficient detail, you’re ready to move to the next section.
Data Collection
This section requires you to explaining specifically what your data-collection plan is. If
you’re using a quantitative instrument such as a survey with forced responses (for example, a 5point Likert scale), be sure to describe the instrument in detail. (How many items? Do they
address attitude? Are there demographic items? How will the instrument be administered?) If
you’re collecting qualitative data, which method(s) will you use? Don’t simply say you’re going
to interview participants. Will your interviews use a structured, semistructured, or unstructured
format? How many questions will you have for participants in your interview? You will need to
include a sample of each instrument you use in your research project. These samples should
appear in the Appendix, following the reference list. Once you have addressed your datacollection plan, you’re ready to move to the next section.
Data Analysis
This section deals with how you will extract meaning from the data you collected for
your research project. If you’re going to create crosstabs, for instance, indicate the reason for
them and how you will set them up. If you’re going to be gathering measures of central tendency
such as mean, median, and mode, be sure to indicate why this is the most appropriate method of
analysis for your data. The same holds true for measures of dispersion such as range and
standard deviation. If you’re gathering information from participant interviews, be sure to
explain the process you intend to use to decide on specific themes or nodes. How many times
will you read the transcripts of your interviews to obtain “thick” results?
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
17
A Final Note
When you first submit your third chapter, it will be part of your research proposal. As
such, you will not have yet collected and analyzed your data for your research project. Thus,
much of the third chapter will be written in the future tense. When you have completed data
collection and analysis, you will need to revise your third chapter and cast it in the past tense. In
addition, if you cite any additional references in your third chapter (such as the Leedy and
Ormrod text), be sure to add them to your references list.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
18
CHAPTER 4
Project Implementation
The fourth chapter of your Option A research report for the MEd program will focus on
describing what the outcomes of the project implementation were. It should consist of six
sections: (a) introduction, (b) description of the project and what actually happened, (c) what
changes were made and the factors that caused such changes, (d) data collection, (e) data
analysis, and (f) challenges you experienced while implementing the project. The first section, as
in the other chapters, provides a quick overview of the project and does not have a Level 2
heading. As with the other chapters, be sure to include the header. This chapter will need to be
written in past tense as you are reporting how you implemented your research project. Once you
have completed your introduction, you’re ready to move to the next section.
Description of the Project
This section describes in detail the research project you’ve carried out. You will likely
want to focus on a brief recapitulation of the project design including participants and site(s) as
well as other aspects that readers would be interested in.
Changes Made
Change—especially unplanned-for change—seems to be a constant in the research
process. In this section, you will want to describe how your research project changed during the
process and what the factors were which led to these changes. For example, you may have had to
change the sample population you were working with because of a revision in your teaching
schedule. This is definitely something that you should describe, as well as the impact such a
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
19
change had on your research project. Full disclosure of the results is not only ethical in research
but absolutely essential. It is rare to find a research study that goes off exactly as planned; most
studies have to address unplanned-for changes. There is no dishonor in doing so.
Data Collection
This section will chronicle the process of data collection you did while completing your
research project. What was the process you used? How were your data organized? If you choose
to present your data using tables and figures, be sure to follow APA style by consulting the
Publication Manual (2010). See especially pages 128-150 for guidelines using tables and pages
150-167 for guidelines using figures. One general rule that might prove useful is found on page
137 of the 5th edition of the Publication Manual (2001): (a) if you have 3 or fewer numbers, use
a sentence; (b) if you have from 4 to 20 numbers, use a table; and (c) if you have more than 20
numbers, consider using a graph or figure instead of a table.
Just as a reminder, APA style requires that tables have only horizontal lines, not vertical
ones. In addition, be sure to number tables and figures sequentially to avoid confusion. Thus if
you had both tables and figures, the first of each would be Table 1 and Figure 1. Be sure, too, to
double-space all parts of a word table including notes. (Tables using numbers should be doublespaced whenever possible for the sake of clarity.) Remember that notes should be set in 8-point
type rather than 12-point type used for headings and the body.
When you create tables and figures, please remember that these graphic representations
of data should follow the three hallmarks of good writing: clarity, economy, and precision. Thus,
headings and notes should contribute to the internal logic of the table or figure. You will also
want to strive for simplicity in representing data in tables and figures. Cut relentlessly to avoid
any possible misreading of your data. Please see Table 1, which appears on the following page,
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
20
as an example of how to organize data in an economical fashion. For the sake of convenience
and uniformity, please use Table Simple 1 as your template. To access this, Click on the “Table”
pull-down menu, then click on “Table AutoFormat.” Under the “Table styles” list, scroll to
“Table Simple 1” and select. Table 1, found below, uses this table format and conforms to APA
style requirements.
Please note that the table
designator is set in Roman
caps and lower case.
Table 1
Please note that
the table title is set
in italic caps and
lower case.
NBCT Responses to “I perform work that suits my values”
Cumulative
Descriptor
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
Disagree
4
4.7
4.8
4.8
Uncertain
8
9.4
9.5
14.3
Agree
46
54.1
54.8
69.0
Strongly Agree
84
98.8
100.0
Missing
1
1.2
Total
85
100.0
Note. The results for this particular survey item did not have any responses for the descriptor of Strongly Disagree.
Data Analysis
Please note that the table note is set in 8-point
Times New Roman with “Note” italicized and
followed by a period.
In this section of the chapter, you will address the “Whys” and “Ahas!” that your data
have provided. Look for patterns in both quantitative and qualitative data that lead you toward
tentative conclusions. If, for example, your data suggest that students who have received a
particular treatment as an independent variable score higher on a particular assessment
instrument (which, of course, is the dependent variable), then you can discuss reasons why that
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
21
may be the case. Please remember that data can only suggest conclusions. It’s inappropriate to
assume that your data prove anything. Humility is a virtue sometimes overlooked in scholarship.
Challenges Experienced
This final section of your fourth chapter will address what challenges you encountered
while conducting your research project. These challenges may have to do with your sample used
for the project, difficulties securing materials, or problems with colleagues or administrators.
Rather than merely listing the challenges, however, you should address how you overcame the
obstacles you encountered. Be as specific as you can. Remember: it is rare, indeed, for a
researcher to have no challenges while implementing a research project.
Final Information on Tables and Figures
Be sure that every table and figure has a heading and that all vertical lines have been
omitted. Further, be sure to refer to all tables in the text, ideally just before the table appears. Be
sure that all tables are numbered sequentially using Arabic numerals. Figures, too, are numbered
sequentially using Arabic numerals.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
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CHAPTER 5
Conclusions and Reflections
The final chapter of your Option A research report for the MEd program will focus on
describing what the project findings are and your thoughts about the process of conducting the
project. It should consist of three sections: (a) summary of the entire project, (b) what to do
differently next time, and (c) reflection on your own professional growth. The first section
provides the reader with a summary of findings about the research project. It should also address
how the project findings addressed the research questions posed in the first chapter. As in the
other chapters, this introductory section does not have a Level 2 heading. Be sure to include a
header with pagination. This chapter will need to be written in past tense as you are reporting the
findings of your research project. Don’t forget to include the advance organizer. Once you have
completed your introduction, you’re ready to move to the next section.
What to Do Differently Next Time
Hindsight, of course, is always 20/20. Having completed your research project, what
would you change if you were to replicate your project or tweak it somewhat? Would you delete
any parts or add something (or several things)? You might wish to consider your research
preparations, literature review, project design, data collection, or data analysis procedures. For
example, would you expand or reduce your participant population or sample? Or would you
extend or contract the time frame of your project? And just as important, why would you make
any indicated changes? Try to envision your audience for this section as a beginning researcher
who wishes to replicate your project.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
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Reflection on My Own Growth
Every research project we participate in broadens our experience base. Often, it increases
our knowledge base as well. It may even increase our wisdom. How have you grown as a
professional educator because of your research project? How have you grown as a human being?
What, for example, did you learn about human nature or the teaching and learning process
because of conducting your project? Will you follow up this study with another?
A Note on References
As you compile your reference list, be sure to put each source in appropriate APA style
and format. This includes using hanging indentation, which is a real convenience for the reader.
Remember to order your sources alphabetically by author. Don’t forget to space between initials
in author or editor names. Please check to be sure that text citations and reference list entries
agree both in spelling and in date. In addition, be sure that inclusive page numbers are provided
for each journal article or book chapter listed. This is one of the most common errors for novice
researchers. Finally, check that each parenthetical or in-text citation is listed exactly the same
way in the reference list. By extension, check that each entry in your reference list is cited in
your text. This is common scholarly courtesy for your readers. Check that you have included the
digital object identifier (doi) for sources that have them.
Suggested Length of the Research Report
If you choose Option A for the MEd research report, you should know there are no
absolute length limits. That being said, most Option A research reports will probably encompass
between 50 and 60 pages, including references. Remember that the second chapter literature
review must contain a minimum of 25 sources.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
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References
American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Glatthorn, A. A., & Joyner, R. L. (2005). Writing the winning thesis or dissertation: A step-bystep guide (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2005). Practical research: Planning and design (8th ed.). Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Rizzo, J. R., House, R. J., & Lirtzman, S. L. (1970). Role conflict and ambiguity in complex
organizations. Administrative Science Quarterly, 15(2), 150-163.
Strunk, Jr., W., & White, E. B. (1979). The elements of style (3rd ed.). New York, NY:
Macmillan.
Please note the use of hanging
indentation when a reference
listing exceeds a single line.
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
25
Please note that the appendices
designator is set in caps and
lowercase and is centered
horizontally as well as vertically
on the page.
Appendices
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
26
Appendix A—Letter to Parents
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Over the next couple of months, in music class, I will be incorporating different methods to teach
music concepts to your child. The methods that will be incorporated are: (a) using background
music in class to observe any changes in behavior and academic performance, (b) using music
therapy to aid music instruction, and (c) using Mozart music in the classroom. All three methods,
I hope, will help your child learn, understand, and remember music concepts.
I will be using the information collected from our class sessions to aid in my professional
development as I work towards the Washington State requirement of completing my Professional
Certification.
As I teach your child music, I’ll be alternating different teaching methods and strategies to
determine which method has the largest positive effect on music learning. I’m looking forward to
trying out new methods which I hope will make me a better teacher for your child.
I will be using video and photographs as part of my evidence. The information collected will
only be used for my professional certification portfolio and will be destroyed once the portfolio
is accepted.
If you want your child to be included as evidence, either videotaped or photographed, please sign
below and return this letter to me.
I have been enjoying teaching your child and am excited with the growth I’ve seen over the year.
Thank you,
Mrs. Molly Bloom
Discover Elementary
Music Teacher
I hereby allow ___________________________ to be included in the evidence, videotapes, or
Child’s Name
photographs that are collected in music class.
____________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
RESEARCH REPORT TEMPLATE—OPTION A
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Appendix B—Student Survey
This anonymous survey has been designed to gather demographic data as well as information
about student attitudes toward the Canyon High School campus newspaper. Thank you for taking
the time to respond to this survey.
Part I—Attitudinal Items. Please respond candidly to each statement by circling the most
appropriate number. The 5-point scale corresponds to the following values:
5 = Strongly Agree
4 = Agree
3 = Uncertain
2 = Disagree
1 = Strongly Disagree
1. The campus newspaper, which is published every two weeks, needs to be published more
often.
5
4
3
2
1
2. The size of the issue, 8 pages, is large enough to accommodate the news around the
campus community.
5
4
3
2
1
3. The design of the paper is, in general, visually pleasing.
5
4
3
2
1
4. The photographs that appear in the paper are, in general, clear and focused.
5
4
3
2
1
5. I generally receive a copy of the paper in my third-period class on publication days.
5
4
3
2
1
6. The headlines, in general, reflect the content of the stories.
5
4
3
2
1
7. News coverage is, in general, relevant to the campus community.
5
4
3
2
1
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8. Sports coverage, in general, is balanced with all campus sports receiving notice in the
paper.
5
4
3
2
1
9. Entertainment coverage, in general, addresses most popular venues such as movies,
plays, and video games.
5
4
3
2
1
10. The ads in the paper are for services that I use or may use in the future.
5
4
3
2
1
Part II—Demographics. Please answer the following so we can compile a statistical crosssection of students who responded.
11. What is your gender?
_____ Female
_____ Male
12. What is your grade?
_____ Freshman
_____ Sophomore
_____ Junior
_____ Senior