Backwards Looking Data and Mixed Methods Research

Aligning Methodology to Research Questions

Problem Statement

The problem to be studied is the decline in elementary students' reading scores when they reach 4th-5th grade and the possible link to the school and classroom climate. Evidence of the existence of the problem at this elementary school is based on current and previous reading scores. There is an alarming drop in the students' achievement and diagnostic reading scores. Data shows that at least 92% of the students' reading scores drop when they enter the 4th or 5th grade.

Purpose Statement and Research Questions

The purpose of this study is to examine the potential link between the climate of the school and classroom environments and the 4th and 5th grade students' reading scores.

Research Questions

1. At this elementary school, is there a relationship between school climate and students' reading scores/abilities?

2. How does classroom environment affect students' reading scores/abilities?

3. (Qualitative) How do teachers and students perceive the impact of classroom environment and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs on student reading achievement/abilities?

Participant and Sampling Procedures

Given the specific focus on 4th and 5th-grade students at this elementary school, a purposeful sampling method will be employed. This method allows for the selection of particular groups or categories of people that can provide information related to the research questions. In this case, 4th and 5th-grade students, as well as their teachers, will be the primary participants.

Research Approach

This study will adopt a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative research methods (Dawadi et al., 2021). The quantitative approach will address the first two research questions, with the goal being to identify relationships between variables (Mohajan, 2020). The qualitative approach will be used for the third research question to obtain a better understanding of the perceptions of teachers and students. Thus, the study will use an ex post facto design for the quantitative portion and a phenomenological approach for the qualitative portion (Koster & Fernandez, 2021).

Data Collection Methods

Quantitative Data

Standardized reading scores will be collected for the 4th and 5th-grade students. Additionally, a survey measuring perceptions of school and classroom climate will be administered to these students.

Qualitative Data

Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with a select group of teachers and students. These interviews will delve into perceptions of classroom environment, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, and their impact on reading achievement.

Alignment of Methods to Research Questions

The relationship between school climate and reading scores is a pivotal aspect of this study. To discern this relationship, statistical analyses will be employed on the quantitative data collected. This will involve gathering standardized reading scores of the students and juxtaposing them with data from surveys that measure their perceptions of the school climate.

Furthermore, understanding the effect of the classroom environment on reading scores is another critical dimension of this study. To examine this, regression analysis will be used. This will let me see if the classroom environment, as an independent variable, has a significant impact on reading scores (the dependent variable). Thus, I can identify the extent to which classroom environment influences reading abilities, holding other factors constant.

Lastly, qualitative data will provide deeper insight here. Semi-structured interviews with teachers and students will provide insights into their perceptions regarding the classroom environment's impact and the role of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs on reading achievement. These interviews will be instrumental in understanding the lived experiences of the participants.