Natural Sciences Explore Randomization in Designs

Teachers Instructions
1. Choose a topic within the natural sciences to explore. This should be a current issue within the field (ex. Possible life Assignment: Explore Randomization in Designs
Instructions
This assignment has three parts. The first part is a review of dissertations to help you understand what will be expected of you as you move into the dissertation phase of your work. The second part is an elaboration on random vs. non-random selection, and the third part allows you to practice with setting up the research of your own.
Part 1 (2 points):
For both of the dissertations listed in the Resources for this week, identify in one sentence each the problem, purpose, research questions, methodology and design used in the study, and finally why the methodology and design selected are appropriate to answer the research questions presented.
Part 2 (2 points):
In half a page, for both of the dissertations listed in the Resources for this week, identify whether random sample selection was or was not used in the study. If it was a random sample, what made randomization possible? If it was not a random sample, what made randomization impossible?
Part 3 (6 points):
Think of a problem that exists in an education-related area today that you might wish to address with future research. In one page, describe the problem, purpose, research questions, and hypotheses. Determine and describe whether randomization could be used or not used in this situation.
For example, perhaps you recently found out that high school juniors are scoring poorly on the science section of the ACT (the problem). Your purpose could be to determine if a new teaching technique impacts student performance on the science portion of the ACT. Your research question could ask how the new teaching technique impacts students’ scores on the ACT as compared to the standard teaching method. Your hypothesis may be that students taught with the new method score better on the ACT than those taught with the old method. Think through whether—if you had two classes of students in a local high school, one using the old teaching method and one using the new teaching method—randomization in your study would be possible or not possible and describe this in detail. Use your own example of a study you might conduct rather than using this same example.
Length: 2 pages, not including title page
References: No references required
Your assignment should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards.on Mars, global warming, micro-organisms destroying the Titanic wreck, lighter-than air travel, alternative fuels, etc.)
2. Create an annotated bibliography with five entries. Look for current, well-researched sources on your topic. Complete a summary, analysis, and response for each source. There is a template on moodle for this.
3. Write a 3-4 page report on your natural sciences topic. Follow the conventions set forth in this powerpoint. You will need at least 5 outside sources to help explain and give evidence to your chosen topic.