3a+Research+Methods+Data

**Data Instruments** **Surveys** A comprehensive survey has been developed by this researcher using GoogleDocs. A a select group of three teachers will be asked to review the survey for clarity. All staff members who participate in professional development will be asked to complete the survey. Questions are both open and closed-ended. Professional Learning Survey via GoogleDocs

**Interviews** Once the surveys are complete, brief in-person interviews will be conducted with teachers who are willing to participate. Ideally, at least one member from each grade level will be interviewed using the interview guide approach.


 * Interview Guide – //Professional Learning At Ivy Creek//**

 · Tell me about your previous experiences with professional learning at any time during your teaching career (good or bad).  · What elements did you find most effective? What made you enjoy some professional learning sessions more than others?  · What elements did you find least effective? What made you dislike some professional learning sessions?  · Do you apply the things you learn during professional learning? How? Why or Why not?  · Are there any topics you would like to see covered in future professional learning sessions?  · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">If you could change anything about the way that professional learning is currently offered, what would it be? <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Is there anything else you’d like to share? <span style="background: white; display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">This qualitative data collection method will allow for topics and issues to be specified in advance while allowing for variance in the sequence and wording of the questions as the interview progresses. This method will keep the interview conversational which perhaps will elicit more meaningful data (Johnson & Christensen, 2007.)

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">These two methods of data collection are being combined for the purpose of complementarity. The interviews will serve to clarify the results of the quantitative survey (p.451). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">These interviews will also provide data in the form of generalizations and common themes that will help identify staff perceptions about the characteristics of quality staff development. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">In addition, I will complete a thorough literature review to determine what has already been deemed effective.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14pt;">**References** <span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Johnson, B., & Christensen, L. (2007). //Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches// (3rd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.