Artifact Reflection

EDUC 601
Action Research in Education
Instructor: Dr. Catherine Robertson
Viterbo Universtiy
Description of this class:
This course provides an overview of educational research theory and practice. Teachers will
design an approved research project on an approved educational topic.
The objective of the assignment was to understand how to write a letter to the Principal for
conducting a research project within his building and to clearly state my intentions of the
research and my goal of improving skills and improvements in the groups academically and
behaviorally.
This artifact is from the Research One course with Dr. Catherine Robertson, June 30, 2015. The
artifact is important to me. This was notifying my building principal of my intentions to use
students in his building for my research to be conducted. It was showing to my Principal the
direction I had decided to go in part earning of the Master of Arts in Education program. To me
it was sealing the deal. This was the starting of the research to be conducted.
This letter was among the firsts to be completed for my research to begin. It made me feel
anxious and happy to think I would really being doing this. Before class started I had no
expectations of what would be accomplished. As a professional I realize there is protocol to
follow. During this time my mother had to have her aorta valve replaced. Before surgery we

listened to two different surgeons speak, each pitching their method of replacement. One
surgeon would conduct the surgery in a traditional manner. The other doctor had a newer
method that would require participation in a research project the hospital was conducting. We
did not have to make a decision that day. A letter was sent to explain the procedure in the newer
method using the heart replacement that would be inserted. This was my-ah-ha moment. The
hospital letter format was delivering the same message as my letter would be to the Principal and
then to parents and guardians later. The letter to the Principal needed to be correct for this was
permission to be including my students, if they and the parent/guardian allowed, in my research
study. The work that needed to be done before the letter was sent had to be set up and approved
by my professor. The letter is very important. It has to be read and understood by those who
read it for me to carry out the actions.

June 30, 2015

Principal Cary Wieland,

I am conducting a research project for my oasis students for my thesis paper in my Education
Research 1 class for Dr. Catherine Robertson of Viterbo University.
I am planning to use the students to conduct a research on goal setting skills. The purpose of this
study is to investigate positive intervention supports on the improvement of academic progress,
verbal and non-verbal behavior. I want to use the research to guide my question of why are
students not showing better progress in their academics and behavior with the idea that the
project will bring my students attention to the skills they need and see improvement in academic
achievement and behavior skills. I will be doing a pre/posttest, observations and academic and
behavioral supplemental lessons in the content of goal setting.
I plan on following all confidentiality rules set up by Viterbo Universitys IRB board when
conducting my research in the fall of 2015.
Attached is a sample letter that I would need from you on our schools letterhead. If you have
questions please call me at 319-415-9625.

Thank You,
Sincerely,
Norma J. Neubauer
Norma J. Neubauer