Click to Access a Quick Glance of my Action Research and Mixed Methods Quasi Experimental Research 📃😊

Action Research

From my own experience, Action Research is all about identifying a real classroom challenge, testing a solution, and making improvements based on what works. Last semester, I used action research to implement math centers in my classroom. This hands-on, reflective approach helped me adjust instruction in real time and directly support my students’ needs.

Quasi-Experimental Mixed Methods Research

In my parent math homework research, I used a quasi-experimental mixed methods approach to better understand both the impact and the experience of a parent training intervention. Since I couldn’t randomly assign parents to groups, I worked with existing groups to compare outcomes before and after the training. That’s the quasi-experimental part. To deepen the findings, I also gathered qualitative data through open-ended survey responses and interviews, which helped me understand how parents felt, what they found useful, and what challenges they faced. This combination allowed me to measure changes while also listening to their voices, leading to a more complete and human-centered understanding of the results.

Purposes of Research in Instructional Technology

Research in instructional technology helps us better understand how people learn with technology and how to design more effective learning experiences. It provides evidence-based insights that guide decisions, improve outcomes, and drive innovation in educational practice.

As McMillan (2022) notes, “research is a systematic process of asking questions and finding answers that contributes to knowledge and informs practice” (p. 4). In this way, research not only deepens our understanding but also bridges the gap between theory and real-world application, helping educators and designers create meaningful change.