Plan B Research Design

I'm finally starting to formulate my Plan B topic, and what I have now is, What are the effects of place-base learning on a natural resource class? After talking to Tara and bouncing between studying the power of learning journey and the impact of place based learning on a community, I've decided to stick to the original path of place based learning in a natural resource class. This way I can use the qualitative and quantitative data I've collected over the WHOLE year rather than just my unit, or just one learning journey.

I feel like I can cover several topics by going this route. I also feel like I can also start formulating my research questions without waiting for my unit to finish. Maxwell (2013) points out that "qualitative researchers often don't develop their final research questions until they have done a significant amount of data collection." But because I've had a whole semester of data to build off of, I feel like I can get a good start. I know my final research questions will change over the course of writing this Plan B, but just to get the ball rolling...

What are the effects of learning journeys in a natural resource class?
What are the effects of bridging community members to local schools?
Does infusing Hawaiian culture into NR class, have a positive/negative impact on students?

What are the effects of place based learning on SPED students in natural resources?
What is the direct impact on the environment when place-based learning is used in NR class?

I think at this point my research will use a mixed methods approach. Creswell defines mixed methods as a combination of qualitative and quantitative research. I think when I'm researching learning journeys, community bridging, and culture I will be using qualitative research. But for the questions on SPED and direct environmental impact, I will use quantitative data. I can also add some Kupu data numbers to the mix when answering the environmental impact question.

Overall I think my research will use the pragmatic worldview. Creswell says in this view,
"Researchers emphasize the research problem and use all approaches available to understand the problem."(Creswell) I use many different methods like testing, group discussions, reflections, projects etc...to understand how my students are affected by place-based learning.  Pragmatism is not committed to any one system....draw liberally from both quantitative an qualitative assumptions when they engage in research. (Creswell) As I stated above I will use mixed methods research.