Engaging student researchers and teacher researchers in the process of data analysis

Merritt, S. P. (2004, May). Engaging student researchers and teacher researchers in the process of data analysis. Language Arts, (81)5, pp. 406-416.

Merritt says the hardest, most daunting part of research is the data analysis. It is important for novice researchers to examine what it is they bring with them to the study. She suggests that researchers reflect on their study, writing about the assumptions they have, which aids in recognizing bias. She also suggests that researchers keep a journal and confer with other researchers as a method of uncovering their biases and adding to the validity of the study they’re conducting. Novice researchers must understand their theoretical framework as a way to see the research and the reason for the research questions asked in their studies.

This article connects directly to what I’ve learned in EDUC 576 about qualitative research but is discussed in a manner that is very readable for a teacher-researcher. The author does not directly discuss aspects like positionality or validity, but the methods she has her students use to examine their assumptions and biases lend themselves to guiding students to understand their position in relationship to the research and participants, as well as ensuring that their analysis is valid.


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