Questioning your research plans

“Questioning Your Research Plans”

from Hubbard and Power,

The Art of Classroom Inquiry

Imagine you have just spent half an hour explaining your research project to an older family member. What questions might she or he ask you about your project?

• Do girls can really be aggressive?
• What is the importance of aggressiveness in girls soccer?
• Are they not too young for these type of analysis?
• Soccer should not be only about having fun in this age?

How would you respond to these questions?

• Yes, I like to believe we all can.
• Aggressiveness is not equal hitting people- an aggressive mentality can be time-reaction and desire to win or not to lose.
• I do not believe so.
• Who said that playing aggressive is not fun?

Imagine explaining your project to a colleague who has a very different philosophy of teaching and learning (think of a real person you know). What questions might she or he ask you about your project?

• How can girls become more aggressive if not through punishment?
• Don’t you think fear always is the best way to improve performance?
• Are you not afraid girls will hurt each other or be mean to each other?

How would you respond?

• I believe we should not motivate through fear because at some point girls will make the connection of soccer being painful, and they should not.
• Same
• Soccer is a contact sport so they are exposed to injuries at any moment. I believe that being aggressive also prepares you to the impact and make you more alert in the game. Define “mean”. I believe they would be more passionate but not necessarily mean.

Imagine explaining your project to one of your students. What questions might she or he ask?

• Should we kick people?
• Why is this important?
• What do you want from us?

How would you respond?

• I believe there is a difference between intelligent aggressiveness and not as intelligent one. The focus is more about desire and competitiveness than physical contact.
• To get girls more engaged in the game and more competitive.
• To explore your ability to be aggressive. Perhaps you are just not an aggressive person, but I would like to give the girls the freedom and motivate them to be aggressive.

Imagine explaining your project to a school board member. What questions might she or he ask?

• How is this research question relevant for your field?
• What further question could you ask or answer through this analysis?
• Who are going to decide if girls are more aggressive or not?

How would you respond?

• There are stereotypes supporting the idea that girls should not be aggressive or they are naturally not aggressive. I believe aggressiveness is an attitude and not a biological matter. Aggressive mentality can improve performance.
• Gender stereotype questions and the influences of aggressiveness of sport performance in youth girls soccer.
• Good question.