Choosing a Topic - with BYU Specialist

Today I got to meet with a BYU Specialist in Educational Research, Rachel Wadham, to consider some important questions to ask when selecting a topic.  While these questions seemed basic to her, to me they were refreshing and helpful:

1. You need a context for the learning.

• Is it a talent or a skill? Is it a particular subject? What are they learning? 
• Different kinds of learning means there are different forces at work.

2. You need to choose WHO you're studying.

• Who are you getting information about? Professors? Students?
• Different people will have different applications - motivations, attitudes, etc.

3. When/Where is the learning/phenomenon taking place?

• In the classroom? During homework? Taking Tests? 
• Does it happen independently? is it guided?
• Morning? Night?
• Where in the life of the individual is the phenomenon taking place? Beginning of school? End of School?

4.  WHY- Application.

• Why is the learning happening? For the grade? 
• Why are you doing this study?
• Why is this study significant to talk about?
• Why is this study important?
• If there's no reason to know the answer, why do it?
• The answers need both a nebulous and a practical side. 
• To advocate a pedagogy/promote ________.
• To know more about ______ so we can ______. 
• Why is it important/interesting to you?

5. How- How this all goes on.

• How is the homework assigned? How does the teacher grade the homework?
• How to go about finding answers? Data? Quantitative? Qualitative?
• Gather, organize, answer questions, design elements, etc.

Finally, PICK SOMETHING AND MOVE ON.  After a brainstorm, rate options by:

• Convenience - What data already exists? what's available to you? Do you already have connections/information?
• Passion

Then take top two of each category to your chair, select one, and MOVE ON! Don't wallow in this exploration phase for more than two weeks!