Seminar - Research Question

This week we were asked to think about our research question for our practicum experience this year. I have a knack for research and enjoy conducting research to find solutions to problems. When I discovered that we would be doing a research project this year, I was excited. I am happy doing just about any kind of research that leads to new information. Therefore, when my school psychologist recommended a possible topic, I jumped on the idea.

The school has many concerns that are researchable, but the school psychologist was presented with a research question provided by another faculty member. She was asked to look up information on students who receive instruction emotional disability (ED) services. The school psychologist asked me to start collecting research that has been done on the outcomes of students with ED. I fortunately discovered a great deal of research on the statistics of what happened to those students. Many of them had difficulties maintaining jobs for extended periods of time and often did not pursue a higher education.

I did not gather the full scope of what the school psychologist was interested in, but I imagine she is interested in the high school's own ED services and what outcomes are typical for those students. By comparing the high school program to the standard national outcomes, the school psychologist can perhaps see how their own students compare.

When thinking about this topic as a research project, I am immediately drawn to the methodology. I would like to know how this can be achieved. It would be difficult to establish a control group because students with ED should not be kept out of this program (unless it is completely new and not research based). I need to find out more information about what the faculty member and school psychologist have in mind for this project. I need to know what their goals are, who would be involved, what other treatment methods they have tried, and whether they maintain statistics on their graduates. I am sure I will come across more and more questions as I go along.

If this research project does not work out, I am also interested in looking into truancy behaviors and appropriate interventions. I have not found many interventions at the high school level that would be practical for the school to implement. While several of the interventions may be what are necessary, it would be difficult for a graduate practicum student to make a recommendation and receive financial support for it (like introducing the "small schools" concept). I have not completely given up on looking into this matter, but for now I may be switching topics to meet the focus of the school.