The “K-W-H-L” acronym stands for the following questions you should be asking yourself about your potential (or any potential) research project. The questions break down as follows:
–> K: What do I already know about the topic?
o Problems? Issues? Solutions?
o Audience? Stakeholders?
o How do I know these things?
- Think about source materials, assumptions about “common knowledge”
–> W: What do I want to know?
o What data are you missing? Audience analyses?
–> H: How will I find that information?
o Where will you conduct your research? What source materials will you need? Offer a few potential sources of information.
–> L: What have I learned so far?
Prepare a K-W-H-L Statement for two of the three proposed topics you posted for Tuesday’s class.
1. Childhood Obesity and Eating Disorders
K: Body image is a very important thing for adolescents and children in today’s society. As the rates of obesity continue to rise amongst our youth, more attention needs to be paid to this issue. Obesity in children is a serious issue which has many health and social consequences, several of which can carry on to adulthood. Main health risks are type 2 diabetes, asthma, hypertension, orthopedic complications and psychological effects. The causes of obesity include (but are not limited to): lack of physical activity, poor eating habits, low family incomes, children’s environment and genetics. Preventing obesity can be done by providing children with an active environment and healthy eating habits. This needs to be instilled both at home and at school. While it seems to be common knowledge how to avoid obesity, few people in our society appear to care enough to take action.
W: I want to know the numbers/statistics of overweight and obese children in the United States today, and how they have changed in the past 10-15 years. I would also like to learn more about the consequences of obesity to children, both physically and mentally. It is also important to me to look not just at the short term effects, but the long term ones as well. I would also like to research different school programs which act against obesity. If we want to find a solution to this vast problem, learning of success stories is important. Once familiarized with any successful programs, they can then be implemented elsewhere.
H: I will research school programs currently in existence that act effectively in fighting obesity. To find statistical data, and direct health risks involved medical health articles and sites can be used.
L: So far I have learned two things: that I know much less about this topic than I originally thought, and that I am not quite sure how and where to look for further information.
2. Homeschooling
K: Homeschooling is currently on the rise in the United States. After briefly studying the topic in an education class 2 semesters ago, I was introduced to many of the background information regarding the topic. There is a constant debate over whether homeschooling is beneficial or harmful for children. Often times, what is considered to be a con, can also be looked at as a pro. Some of the main concerns regarding children being homeschooled include: the lack of social contact with peers children experience, and the level of education the will be receiving. The education provided in a homeschooling situation can depend greatly on both the parents (or instructors) knowledge on the subject matter. Financial matters are also important. Homeschooling can become very expensive, and almost always requires for one parent to be home all day long (directly affecting their job/income). Some of the most popular reasons for which people choose to homeschool their children are: strong religious, moral and political beliefs, lack of trust in others with their children, and poor quality of public school systems in their area.
W: I want to learn more about the overall statistics of homeschooling, including their success and failure rates. I am also interested in how homeschooling is monitored (if at all) but the state, and what can be done to ensure that education is properly provided to these children. Another area of interest for me is the idea of “group homeschooling.” I would also like to be able to determine when homeschooling is done successfully, and when it is done poorly. Mainly, how to convert the cons of homeschooling into pros. Lastly, I am interested in seeing how homeschooling affects the relationship between a parent and their child.
H: One way to measure the success or failure rates of homeschooling is to compare the results of standardized tests between children who are homeschooled and children who attend traditional school systems. It is also important to obtain any state laws and regulations regarding the issue, and information about any local school districts programs. Sites and articles relating to education should be helpful in this search.
L: I have learned that the issue of homeschooling is MUCH more complex than it originally appears. I am also not sure where to begin in conducting research on the topic.Home
