Curriculum Research

Much of the "research" reported is intended to prove a result (or at least suggest that that result might be true).  If you are publishing in a journal, or perhaps a dissertation, that is a reasonable goal.
(Even in those situations, most studies have serious flaws which make the results either questionable or difficult to use by others.)

The good news is that the most important curriculum research is possible and productive, as long as some issues are understood at the start:

 1. Cause and effect in math classrooms
 2. Factors under instructor control
 3. Types of grades to include
 4. Dimensions of equity
 5. Retention in a sequence
 6. Correct use of data (especially grades) ... standardization

Good research produces results that faculty can use to improve their courses and programs; bad research either hides problems that exist or make it impossible to monitor improvements.  Good research requires some institutional support and commitment.

Simple reading will not help you produce better curricular research.  You also need some training and mentoring.

Jack Rotman
rotmanj@lcc.edu

Last updated December 15, 2006