I plan to determine the impact of an attendance call-out system for secondary school students on the number of unexcused tardies when compared with schools that do not use a call-out system.
Who: secondary students
What: schools that use an attendance call-out system and those that do not use a call-out system
Why: determine the impact on the number of unexcused tardies
Research Questions:
1. What attendance call-out programs exist for secondary schools? (Descriptive)
2. What is the relationship between the use of a call-out system and the number of unexcused tardies? (Relationship)
3. Is there a difference between the number of unexcused tardies for schools that have a call-out system and schools that do not? (Difference)
4. What is the timeframe for implementing a call-out system before a change in tardies was noted? (Descriptive)
5. What is the cost for implementing a call-out system? (Descriptive)
6. Do the benefits of a call-out system outweigh the cost of implementing it? (Relationship?)
Based on these research questions, I have determined that the method of research that best fits my problem is the Quantitative Nonexperimental Comparative Method. I have chosen this method because it is described by McMillan and Schumacher (2008) as a design in which the researcher determines if a difference between two or more groups exists in relation to that which is being studied (p. 25). The focus of my research would be to determine if schools that utilize an attendance program which generates parent contact (phone, email, etc.) have lower numbers of unexcused tardies than schools that do not utilize such a program.
I welcome suggestions and comments so that I know if I am on the right track...thanks for visiting!
References:
McMillan, J., & Schumacher, S. (2008) Research in education: Evidence-based inquiry (Laureate custom edition). Boston: Pearson.
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