Research on Learners in a Constructivist Learning Environment

Research in common parlance refers to a search for knowledge. Once can also define research as a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. In fact, research is a part of scientific investigation. The Advanced Learner‟s Dictionary of Current English lays down the meaning of research as “a careful investigation or inquiry especially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.”1 Redman and Moray define research as a “systematized effort to gain new knowledge.”2 Some people consider research as a movement, a movement from the known to the unknown. It is actually a voyage of discovery. The present study used experimental research design in the research. In an experimental design, the researcher actively tries to change the situation, circumstances, or experience of participants (manipulation), which may lead to a change in behavior or outcomes for the participants of the study. The researcher randomly assigns participants to different conditions, measures the variables of interest and tries to control for variables. Therefore, experiments are often highly fixed even before the data collection starts. First of all, it is necessary to think of the best way to operationalize the variables that will be measured, as well as which statistical methods would be most appropriate to answer the research question. The accuracy and precision of the generalization depends upon the representativeness of the sample. Therefore, in order to select sample from the population, the schools were selected on the basis of their accessibility, infra-structural facilities, type of students and similar background of the teachers i.e., socio-economic status of the teachers was also comparable. Homogeneity of the sample was established by taking all PGTs who have similar salary structure and workload and only government senior secondary schools were considered which are regulated and controlled by central authority.