Research Questions Variables and Types of Data

Research Questions Variables and Types of Data Name of Student Institution Affiliation Research Questions Variables and Types of Data Introduction Research questions are critical elements of any research. A research question is an initial step towards pursuing given study research by defining a particular issue that needs to be explored or answered. Acting as research catalysts, research questions provide the researchers with the focus needed by guiding them towards the research. Research questions may, however, require readjustments as critical information is discovered in the course of the research. Both quantitative and qualitative studies utilize research studies. Three basic types of research questions exist namely; descriptive research questions, relational research questions, and causal research questions (Quantitative Research Questions). Researchers make use of variables for their quest to answer or understand a research problem. Credible and reliable variables are used for research (Bryman, 2007). The two primary variables include independent and dependent variables. Educational researchers often use moderating (covariant) variables in their research, a variable that shows the impact of the interaction effect on a dependent variable (Case Overview). Values assigned to each variable referred to as data. Data can either be categorical or continuous (Case Overview). The purpose of this paper is to develop both qualitative and quantitative research questions and to explore the types of data used in educational research. Research Questions Quantitative Research Questions Descriptive Question How adequate is the staff-housing provided to teachers, in education systems where the education ministry provides housing to its staff? Correlational Question Does the number of years of experience differ significantly between primary and secondary school teachers when it comes to the use of performance-based assessments in their classrooms? Causal Question All other factors being equal, do students in boarding schools perform better than students in day schools? Qualitative Research Question How do teachers in primary and secondary schools describe their experience and considerations in joining graduate school? Variables Identifying the correct variable is crucial for the success of such research that explores educational topics. Several factors will be put into consideration in identifying the type of data attributes to use; independent, dependent or covariant variables. Based on such an observation, the research questions raised above use varying variables to answer each question as follows: * Descriptive Question How adequate is the staff-housing provided to teachers, in education systems where the education ministry pro...