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The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project

Student resources.

Examples of Student Research Projects

Biology Research Projects for High School Students: 20 Ideas To Try This Summer

By János Perczel

Co-founder of Polygence, PhD from MIT

16 minute read

Biology and biomedical research are two of the most popular academic disciplines among high schoolers. If you’re someone who’s interested in those fields and you’re looking for research opportunities this summer, you’ve come to the right place! With the study of biology, not only can you gain a better understanding of the natural world, but your research can have practical applications in fields like medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. Whether you’re just starting out in your exploration of biology, have taken a biology class in school, or you’re looking to do some advanced research to submit to your state’s science fair , we have level-appropriate ideas for you!

With a variety of topics like cancer treatment, genetics, neurodegenerative diseases, and marine life, we’ve got you covered. Here is a curated list of 20 different research project ideas to get those creative juices flowing. If you’re hungry for more, head over to our comprehensive Project Ideas database here and browse over 2800 more ideas!  

Research YOUR fave areas of Biology and Medicine

Polygence pairs you with an expert mentor in to create a passion project around biology and medicine. Together, you work to create a high quality research project that is uniquely your own. We also offer options to explore multiple topics, or to showcase your final product!

Human Body Project Ideas

Rate of cognitive decline in different elevations.

Oxygen partial pressure decreases with altitude, challenging blood oxygenation which may affect brain function. If you’ve ever felt some altitude sickness, then this is exactly what’s happening. This is because the atmospheric pressure decreases at higher elevations, leading to a decrease in the partial pressures of the gasses in the air, including oxygen. And of course, oxygen is needed for us to function. What is the effect on brain health/ cognition in sudden increased elevation: say, climbing Mount Everest? Does chronic exposure to high elevations increase the likelihood of dementia? In this project, a meta-analysis of published works examining the effects of altitude on cognition would be conducted.

Idea by mentor Alyssa

Building a Blood Vessel

Use online graphics to illustrate how a blood vessel forms. Blood vessels are structures that carry blood and are responsible for transporting nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. There are three main types of blood vessels: arteries, veins, and capillaries. For this project, complete a literature search to understand what is known about blood vessel growth. Then, utilize this information to generate a graphic with no words to demonstrate how the vasculature (network of blood vessels) forms. The goal of this project is to explain science without using text and therefore make it more available to a larger community.

Idea by mentor Natalie

Examining the bacterial profile of various households

As of late, bacterial microbiomes have been a huge and interesting topic in the field of bacteriology as they play an important role in human health. Bacterial microbiomes are communities of bacteria that live on or outside organisms. They’re found in various parts of the human body, and help us to digest food and regulate our immune system. In this project, you will seek to understand how skin microbiomes can differ between different  individuals of different households. This project will require making different bacterial media that can be made at home selecting for various microorganisms. If you’re new to preparing bacterial media, check out this resource here!

Idea by mentor Hamilton

Regulation of Circadian Clocks

Sleep is known to be governed by two distinct processes: a circadian clock that aligns sleep and wakefulness to the solar day and the sleep homeostat that encodes for sleep debt as a compensatory mechanism against sleep loss. You’ve most likely heard about circadian rhythm and our body’s internal clock, and circadian regulation of sleep is a fundamental process that allows animals to anticipate sleepiness or wakefulness consistently every day. These mechanisms can be regulated in multiple ways: at the gene, protein, gene, and clock neuronal level. In this project, we will focus on 1) how to efficiently digest primary and review articles to compile and condense information, 2) investigate how circadian clocks are regulated at these different genetic levels, and 3) try to effectively summarize the information we've gathered. We can present this information in a variety of ways, and what the final product looks like is up to you.

Idea by mentor Oscar

The Biology of Aging

Aging is the number one risk factor for a variety of diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and loss of hearing/sight. We are only now beginning to truly understand the process of aging and have even started to uncover ways that we could stop, or potentially reverse, the effects of aging. What are the hallmarks/signs of aging? How do researchers study 'aging'? How does human lifespan and aging compare to the rest of the animal kingdom? Is it possible to stop or reverse the effects of aging? What advancements are being made related to this? We could explore these questions or brainstorm others you might have about the biology of aging.

Idea by mentor Emily

Animals, Plants, and Nature Project Ideas

How genetically engineered mosquitoes are reducing rates of vector-borne diseases such as zika.

Many countries are already releasing millions of genetically engineered mosquitoes into the wild every week. These mosquitoes have been modified to reduce their ability to transmit disease-causing pathogens like dengue fever, Zika, and malaria, and are sent into the wild to mate with disease-carrying mosquitoes. However, this is still controversial as some people are concerned about the unintended consequences on the environment. What could be the potential pros and cons for this? The project will mainly focus on doing meta analysis of articles and watching informative videos to understand how/why genetically engineered mosquitoes can be used to reduce rates of different diseases. Students will have the chance to use critical thinking and do in-depth research on genetic engineering techniques, how scientists determine breeding rates and number of insects released, and epidemiology of different bloodborne diseases.

Idea by mentor Vanessa

Efficacy of Marine Protected Areas

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are areas of ocean or coastal waters that are set aside for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. These areas are established by governments, NGOs, or other organizations, and they can take different forms, from fully protected "no-take" zones to areas with regulated fishing or other activities. Marine protected areas have the potential to guide sustainable resource management and protect biodiversity, but have a host of reasons for why they are not currently effective. Explore reasons for why MPAs may not be effective. Then develop a framework for mapping, modeling, and implementing an effective Marine Protected Area.

Bioinspiration: Do animals hold the answers?

Can the toxins produced by frogs help us fight antibiotic resistant bacteria strains? How can understanding how lizards and newts regrow their limbs help us improve wound treatment? Why do tilapia skins help with burns? Discover the role of animals in the development of modern medicine as well as its potential. Are there any ethical concerns with these developments and findings? If so, what are they and do they matter? Share your findings in a research proposal, article, or presentation.

Idea by mentor Cheyenne

How Climate Change Can Affect Future Distributions of Rare Species

Climate change, such as global warming and longer drought, can threaten the existence of some of the rarest plants on earth. It is important to understand how future suitable habitats will change for these rare species so that we can target our conservation efforts in specific areas. In this project, you will identify a rare species that you like (it can be animals, plants, or fungi!), and gather the data online on its current occurrences. Then you will learn how to perform species distribution modeling to map its current and future suitable habitat areas. To get you started on learning species distribution modeling, check out this Youtube resource here. The changes in the amount or location of future suitable habitats can significantly affect the destiny of a rare species. By doing this project, you will not only learn skills in data analyses but also become the best ambassador for this rare species that you love. 

Idea by mentor Yingtong

A Reef’s Best Frenemies

Coral reefs are in global decline. A primary cause of this is "coral bleaching" which results in the white reefs we often see in the news. Coral bleaching is actually the breakdown in the partnership between the coral animal and tiny, symbiotic algae that live within its cells. Corals and algae have a variety of thermal tolerances which are likely decided by genetic and environmental factors. However, despite how important this relationship is, it's currently very poorly understood. This project would review existing literature on the symbiotic partnernship and try to identify factors that predict bleaching and thermal resilience.

Idea by mentor Carly

Dive in to BioMed NOW!

Register to get paired with one of our expert mentors and to get started on exploring your passions today! You have agency in setting up your schedule for this research. Dive in now!

Diseases and Treatments Project Ideas

The understanding of a new and upcoming treatment: immunotherapy.

Immunotherapies have been growing in the past few years as alternative treatments for many types of cancer. These treatments work by boosting the patient's immune system to fight the disease, however it is not always effective. There are many types of immunotherapies with various nuances, but they all work to attack specific cells that are causing the disease. For this project, pick one of a few types of immunotherapy and deeply understand the mechanism of action and what is the current effectiveness against the cancer it treats.

Idea by mentor Hannah

Exploring The Cancer Genome Atlas data 

There has been an explosion of publicly available data for cancer. The Cancer Genome Atlas was a research program with the purpose of creating a comprehensive catalog of genomic and molecular information about different types of cancer, with the aim of improving our understanding of the disease and developing new treatments. The dataset has been used to identify new cancer subtypes, develop diagnostic tests, and discover potential targets for new cancer therapies. Explore the implications and impact of The Cancer Genome Atlas data, and why it’s become so important.

Idea by mentor Hersh

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Physiological Benefits of Fasting-induced Autophagy

Autophagy, meaning "self-eating", is a cellular process where damaged or unwanted components are disposed. Autophagy has been linked to various diseased pathologies, including cancer and heart disease. Fasting or specific dietary lifestyles may induce levels of autophagy in the human body. In this project, we will perform and systematic review and meta-analysis of fasting or diet-induced autophagy and its benefits on the body. You will gain skills in 1) searching and reviewing primary literature, 2) computational skills for performing data analysis (R language), and 3) writing your scientific findings.

Idea by mentor Jose 

The Amyloid Hypothesis: Sifting through the controversy

For many years, scientists have thought that amyloid beta was the protein responsible for a patient developing Alzheimer's Disease symptoms. This "Amyloid Hypothesis" is now being questioned in light of current clinical data. Recently, drugs have been developed that reduce amyloid beta in patients. Surprisingly, the drugs worked in reducing amyloid beta, but it did not result in the slowing of disease pathology. Does this mean that the amyloid hypothesis is incorrect? Is amyloid beta less important in the progression of disease then what we once thought? This research project aims to explore the issues with the amyloid hypothesis and to assess where we stand in our understanding of amyloid beta's contribution to Alzheimer’s.

Idea by mentor Patrick

How do vaccines work?

During the COVID pandemic, vaccines have been all over the news! But how do they actually work? What’s the science behind them? Through this project, you will explore how vaccines work and the history of science behind vaccine development. While the final product of the projectwill be up to you, the ultimate goal of this project is for you to be a true public health advocate for vaccines and to be able to communicate why vaccines are so important in a way that the general public can understand.

Idea by mentor Helen

Sleep Disruption Profiles in Various Mouse Models of Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been studied for decades but we are no closer to understanding the mechanisms of the disease. Because of the vast number of researchers studying AD, there are numerous models used to study the disease. All these models have different sleep profiles, phenotypes, disease onsets, sex differences etc. Therefore, in this project we will compile a document based on extensive literature review about the various models there are. We will focus on sleep profiles in these animals with an emphasis on male and female differences. This information is valuable because it is important to know which model is best to use to answer your scientific questions and there is a lot of criticism (by other scientists) that can be brought on by the model chosen so you need to be able to justify your choice. This project will also introduce you to the world of AD research and some of the gaps in knowledge in the field.

Idea by mentor Shenee

Rethinking The Treatment Of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide. They are conditions that affect the nervous system, particularly the brain and spinal cord, and examples include Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. While billions of dollars have been spent trying to find treatments for the disease, very few drugs and therapies have had a meaningful impact on slowing down disease progression. This is often because by the time someone is diagnosed with a disease, it has progressed too far for a treatment to have a substantial effect. Some recent approaches to treatment have turned to looking for early indications of the disease (termed "biomarkers") that can occur before the onset of symptoms. By diagnosing disease and beginning treatment before symptoms arise, these treatments could have a more profound effect in slowing down the progression of disease. Students could review the recent progress being made on identifying biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases, and either write a paper or even record a podcast on their findings!

Idea by mentor David

Genetics Project Ideas

Height and genetics: nature or nurture.

How much do your genes determine your height? How much do nutrition and environmental factors play a role? What gene variants are implicated in height differences and what is the role of epigenetics? Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype that occur without changes to the underlying DNA sequence. These changes can be influenced by diet and lifestyle. We will access and analyze an open dataset on twins to estimate the correlation between monozygotic twins (who have the exact same DNA) and height. You will learn to use R to open a dataset, analyze data with statistical methods such the student’s t-test, and display your data as graphs and charts. Finally, you will learn how to make a research presentation on height and genetics, describe the research methods, and present the data in a compelling and thorough way.

Idea by mentor Adeoluwa

The World of Personalized Medicine

Similar to our fingerprints, our genetic code is also unique to each individual person. Our genetic code is what determines our hair color, height, eye color, skin tone...just about everything! For those that develop diseases such as cancer, their genetic code found inside the malignant cells that comprise a tumor may also be unique to them or to certain groups of people with similar mutations (the drivers of disease). So why is it that we treat each person the same way even though the genetic drivers of that disease may be disparate? The world of Personalized Medicine is new and exciting and looks to circumvent this problem. Personalized Medicine (also known as precision medicine) uses the genetic code of a patients disease to guide treatment options that prove to be highly efficacious. Together, lets write a review on a disease of your choice that could benefit from Personalized Medicine based on current literature and research.

Idea by mentor Somer

General Biology Project Ideas

Teach a biology concept two ways: to your fellow students and to the general public.

One of the best ways to learn is to teach. Choose a biological concept that interests you and prepare a lesson and or demo on it. The format should be a video recording of yourself teaching (a la Khan Academy or a Zoom class), but the other details are up to you. Consider incorporating a demonstration (e.g. how can you use items from your kitchen to illustrate properties of mixtures?) or animation (e.g. to illustrate molecular motion). Also consider how you will check that your students understand the concept(s) and/or skill(s) you have taught them. Prepare and record two versions of your lesson: one intended for your peers and one for the general public. How will the versions differ to reflect these different audiences? You will learn what it's like to teach, gain a much greater understanding of your chosen concept(s)/skill(s), and learn how to communicate science to different audiences.

Idea by mentor Alexa

Once you’ve picked a project idea, check out some of our resources to help you progress with your project! Whether you’re stuck on how to cite sources , how to come up with a great thesis statement , or how to showcase your work once it’s finished , we’ve created blog posts to help you out. If you’re interested in doing one of the biology research projects with the help of an amazing mentor at Polygence, apply now ! If you would like some help with coming up with your own idea, book a complimentary consultation call with our admissions team here ! For more biology and science research information, check out our comprehensive list of research opportunities for high school students .

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School Based Research Projects

Below you will find information on each of the cohorts and a list of resources related to these projects.

Download the School Based Research Projects Overview Infographic

2022 school based research projects cohort.

Three school based research projects commenced in 2022

Making and Shaping Meaning Through Writing

Wenona school.

Smart Study

Queenwood School for Girls

How effective is NELI (Nuffield Early Language Intervention)?

Hunter Christian School

2021 School Based Research Projects Cohort

Two school based research projects commenced in 2021

Enhancing Literacy Acquisition in Vulnerable Senior Secondary Students

Warakirri College

Implementing classroom practices to support girls in co-ed Islamic schools

Minarah College

2019 School Based Research Projects Cohort

Two school based research projects commenced in October 2019.

Building Readers for Life: A Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) Program

The Effectiveness of Exercise, Resilience Training and Occupational Therapy on Whole-School Mental Health

Skillset Senior College

2018 School Based Research Projects Cohort

Two school based research projects commenced in October 2018

Not Just ‘Cherry-Picking’ Aspiration: Implementing CPS for Students  with Special Needs

St Philip's Christian College DALE (Dynamic Alternative Learning Environment)

Valuing, Measuring and Tracking the Development of Learning Dispositions Within a K-12 School

Roseville College

2017 School Based Research Projects Cohort

Three school based research projects commenced in October 2017

Engineering for all

Mater dei school.

The Mater Dei research team aims to gather evidence to demonstrate the viability of engineering as an academic pathway for young learners with intellectual disabilities. The project design relies on the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework.

Impact of faith development activities on school climate

Avondale school.

Avondale School seeks to explore the unique factors that faith-based schools contribute to enhancing school and classroom climate. Research to date indicates the positive impact of school climate on student outcomes but little evidence has been gathered on this within the context of faith-based education.

Music tuition and literacy achievement

Carinya christian school.

Carinya Christian School aims to study the effect of using music tuition as an intervention to counter low achievement in literacy. Research indicates that music training can influence listening skills, previously identified as an essential pre-reading skill.

2016 School Based Research Projects Cohort

Four school based research projects commenced in October 2016

Growing minds

Kincoppal-rose bay school.

This research project focuses on reforming assessment and reporting of student achievement moving towards a model of assessing and reporting individual student growth on a continuum of learning or proficiency map. The project will focus on the learning domains of mathematics and English for Year 5-8 students, and will involve English and mathematics teachers from the senior school, Stage 3 teachers and members of the school leadership team. 

Collaborative approaches to programming and teaching primary science: Opportunities and impacts

Kinross wolaroi school.

This project aims to build primary teachers’ confidence and competence in teaching inquiry-based school science by providing them with targeted specialist support and resources.

Schema-based instruction and maths problem solving

Musec school.

For students with intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the language demands of word problems and the multistep processes required to reach a solution, can present particular difficulties. This two stage research project will examine the impact of schema-based instruction (SBI) on a small population of primary aged students with ID and ASD, and provide training for teachers to deliver the intervention in their own classrooms.

The development of an online assessment tool for Auslan

Ridbc thomas pattison school.

Educators need reliable and valid assessment tools that show what a child can do and what they still need to learn in order to support language learning. This research project aims to produce an online formative assessment tool to support signing deaf students’ Auslan skills – one that requires minimal educator training to use effectively.

2015 School Based Research Projects Cohort

Seven school based research projects commenced in October 2015 and were completed at the end of 2017

Assessment for learning

All saints grammar school.

This project aims to evaluate the implementation and impact of assessment for learning strategies on teaching practice and student engagement in learning. Using an action research framework it endeavours to promote and consolidate a culture of collaborative professional learning across the school, ensuring that every student is engaged in relevant learning.

Underachievement in high ability students

Inaburra school.

This project aims to explore the effectiveness of bibliotherapy (environmental perceptions) and differentiation techniques (goal valuation/task meaningfulness) in reversing underachievement among high ability underachievers at Inaburra School. Based on the Achievement-Orientation Model framework, the project will develop and affirm the interventions that could address the needs of and counter underachievement among high ability underachievers.

Restorative practices and learning outcomes

Key college (youth off the streets).

This project aims to evaluate the impact of prevention and intervention strategies on student learning outcomes when utilising the Restorative Practices continuum. The research team will explore the benefits and limitations of a whole of school Restorative Practices approach in the Youth Off The Streets setting. It will then investigate how to create safe and harmonious school environments which provide conditions in which student learning and social interactions can develop and flourish.

Aiming for student and teacher excellence

Knox grammar school.

This research project investigates the impact of embracing the key factors recommended in the Australian Teacher Performance and Development Framework on teaching performance and student learning outcomes, engagement and wellbeing. The aim of this project is to improve these factors through professional learning and collaborative expertise. This includes the sharing of knowledge and experience to increase pedagogical content knowledge and a mutual understanding of effective classroom practice.

Improvement science and the development of resilient agency

Ravenswood school for girls.

The aim of this project is to examine the impact of an improvement science model of professional learning on the development of resilient agency for Stage 5 students. The first part of this project is to clearly articulate a contextually relevant definition of resilient agency as understood by teaching staff. Teachers will then investigate how local conditions and classroom contexts contribute to resilient agency, and how this can be further supported.

Self-directed integrated learning program to re-engage disengaged senior students

Trades norwest anglican senior college.

This project seeks to explore how a self-directed integrated learning program works in a trades-focused senior secondary education environment. Areas of focus include factors contributing to effective delivery and program success, and how the program can be embedded in other learning environments. 

Functional Communication Training (FCT)

Woodbury autism education and research.

The aim of this project is to test student outcomes and evaluate the treatment integrity of Functional Communication Training (FCT). FCT is an integral component of Applied Behaviour Analysis, a comprehensive, research-based approach to teaching and behaviour management for children with autism. The team hopes to add to the evidence base for the efficacy of FCT in increasing student communication and decreasing inappropriate behaviours.

2014 School Based Research Projects Cohort

Five school based research projects commenced in October 2014 and were completed at the end of 2016

Co-teaching in flexible learning spaces

Claremont college.

This research project investigated the question of whether co-teaching contributes to the improved quality of teaching, and student academic and social outcomes. As part of this project, the College created flexible learning spaces across grades K-6 and implemented shifts in pedagogy embodied in the change to a co-teaching instruction model. The school looked for evidence of change in the quality of teaching, and in student thinking and learning.

Improving curriculum delivery through REAL

Oakhill college.

This research project examined how the College’s REAL — Relevant, Engaged, Active Learning — program impacted curriculum delivery. The REAL program is a working model of whole of school pedagogical change, based on research and best practice in pedagogy and research, with the purpose of improving learning outcomes for students. 

Project-based learning

St philip’s christian college – newcastle.

This research project investigated the effectiveness of project-based learning (PBL) in the development of 21st century skills (critical thinking, collaboration, and communication) among students on multiple school sites. The College implemented a PBL program and staff engaged in capacity building for assessing, programming and facilitating the PBL model.

A question of values

St spyridon college, masada college, and rouse hill anglican college.

The project team investigated how the values of three diverse faith-based schools inform and shape responses to social and ethical responsibilities for their students and the wider community. They looked at how these schools promulgate their stated values, examining what they have in common, but also what makes them distinct. 

STEM and girls education

This project explored possible solutions to improve educational outcomes for girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in Australia and overseas. Educators investigated student, teacher and parent mindsets with regard to development of girls’ self-concept and self-efficacy in relation to STEM. The school also ran a K-12 STEM program involving curricular and co-curricular experiential learning opportunities.

How Teachers Can Learn Through Action Research

A look at one school’s action research project provides a blueprint for using this model of collaborative teacher learning.

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When teachers redesign learning experiences to make school more relevant to students’ lives, they can’t ignore assessment. For many teachers, the most vexing question about real-world learning experiences such as project-based learning is: How will we know what students know and can do by the end of this project?

Teachers at the Siena School in Silver Spring, Maryland, decided to figure out the assessment question by investigating their classroom practices. As a result of their action research, they now have a much deeper understanding of authentic assessment and a renewed appreciation for the power of learning together.

Their research process offers a replicable model for other schools interested in designing their own immersive professional learning. The process began with a real-world challenge and an open-ended question, involved a deep dive into research, and ended with a public showcase of findings.

Start With an Authentic Need to Know

Siena School serves about 130 students in grades 4–12 who have mild to moderate language-based learning differences, including dyslexia. Most students are one to three grade levels behind in reading.

Teachers have introduced a variety of instructional strategies, including project-based learning, to better meet students’ learning needs and also help them develop skills like collaboration and creativity. Instead of taking tests and quizzes, students demonstrate what they know in a PBL unit by making products or generating solutions.

“We were already teaching this way,” explained Simon Kanter, Siena’s director of technology. “We needed a way to measure, was authentic assessment actually effective? Does it provide meaningful feedback? Can teachers grade it fairly?”

Focus the Research Question

Across grade levels and departments, teachers considered what they wanted to learn about authentic assessment, which the late Grant Wiggins described as engaging, multisensory, feedback-oriented, and grounded in real-world tasks. That’s a contrast to traditional tests and quizzes, which tend to focus on recall rather than application and have little in common with how experts go about their work in disciplines like math or history.

The teachers generated a big research question: Is using authentic assessment an effective and engaging way to provide meaningful feedback for teachers and students about growth and proficiency in a variety of learning objectives, including 21st-century skills?

Take Time to Plan

Next, teachers planned authentic assessments that would generate data for their study. For example, middle school science students created prototypes of genetically modified seeds and pitched their designs to a panel of potential investors. They had to not only understand the science of germination but also apply their knowledge and defend their thinking.

In other classes, teachers planned everything from mock trials to environmental stewardship projects to assess student learning and skill development. A shared rubric helped the teachers plan high-quality assessments.

Make Sense of Data

During the data-gathering phase, students were surveyed after each project about the value of authentic assessments versus more traditional tools like tests and quizzes. Teachers also reflected after each assessment.

“We collated the data, looked for trends, and presented them back to the faculty,” Kanter said.

Among the takeaways:

To make their learning public, Siena hosted a colloquium on authentic assessment for other schools in the region. The school also submitted its research as part of an accreditation process with the Middle States Association.

Strategies to Share

For other schools interested in conducting action research, Kanter highlighted three key strategies.

For both students and staff, the deep dive into authentic assessment yielded “dramatic impact on the classroom,” Kanter added. “That’s the great part of this.”

In the past, he said, most teachers gave traditional final exams. To alleviate students’ test anxiety, teachers would support them with time for content review and strategies for study skills and test-taking.

“This year looks and feels different,” Kanter said. A week before the end of fall term, students were working hard on final products, but they weren’t cramming for exams. Teachers had time to give individual feedback to help students improve their work. “The whole climate feels way better.”

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School-based Research A Guide for Education Students

• Elaine Wilson - University of Cambridge, UK
• Description

Focused on the needs of the new classroom researcher, and those studying education on Masters-level courses, this is a thorough and thoughtful guide to the research process, covering qualitative, quantitative and mixed research methods. It guides you through research design, data collection and analysis and how to write up your research findings.

This third edition has been updated to provide further coverage on the best ways to approach, construct and carry out educational research within the classroom including:

• a new chapter on disseminating research knowledge
• expanded coverage of formulating research questions
• a reworked chapter structure better reflecting the research process

This is essential reading for students on education degree programmes including a research methods component, including education studies, undergraduate (BEd, BA with QTS) and postgraduate (PGCE, School Direct, Teach First, SCITT) initial teacher education courses, MEd and professional development courses.

Online resources expanding on and complementing the contents of the book can be found at:  study.sagepub.com/wilsonsbr3e

Supplements

I would thoroughly recommend this latest edition of an already comprehensive guide.  The breadth and depth of coverage are impressive and make this book invaluable reading for any education student planning to complete their research project within a school setting.  Of particular merit are the very accessible chapters on research paradigms, and the insightful new chapter on disseminating research, blogs and social media.

Great book for students, but our student will still have challenges in reading academic English. We are working on this issue, and I expect us to be using parts of the book in a longer run. I will try using the introductory chapter 1 with my students this year, allthough I expect it to be rather difficult for them. But the book is very relevant and well written for students at our University College.

This book is very good but turned out to be too complicated for my students. I will therefor add it to the reading list as an option for the most interested students.

A good addition to the suggested reading list for research studies on the foundation degree; preparing students for research projects, enabling them to deliberate the research process.

This is an excellent text. It offers a good entry point into the challenge of designing and doing small-scale, school-based research projects with our Professional Master in Education (PME) programme, is reasonably priced, and has a user-friendly layout that makes navigating the materials both easy and productive.

This book is a really helpful addition to your reading when you are preparing to research practice. The layout is easy to navigate and the activities are well set to make you think about the processes involved in research.

Preview this book

Available in sage catalyst : the ultimate social science textbook collection, for instructors.

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