Shaw-IAU Workshops by the OAE

The use of quantitative research methods within astronomy education research is appropriate for answering questions about changes in or relationships between variables. Quantitative data comes in multiple types (categorical/nominal, ordinal, interval/scale, or ratio) and different analysis strategies are appropriate for each. Although assessing p-value for statistical significance is common, it should be used in conjunction with other indicators of statistical quality. Effect size is one of the most important indicators but should be put in context of prior work and theory that drives the research question. It is critical to ensure that there is strong alignment between your study’s literature and theoretical framework, research questions, data collection, data analysis, and discussion.

About Janelle Bailey

Janelle M. Bailey, Ph.D.,is an Associate Professor of Science Education at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, USA. She studies astronomy and Earth science education as well as preservice teacher training. Her research has been published in journals such as Science Education, American Journal of Physics, The Physics Teacher, The Earth Scientist, andScience Scope. She teaches courses for science teachers of grades K-16, at undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels. A former Past President of the American Association of Physics Teachers, she is on the editorial board for Astronomy Education Journal and is an ad hoc reviewer for a number of other journals.

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