Provides the definition and examination of qualitative research design, approaches, classifications, methods, strategies, techniques for collecting and analyzing data and criteria for judging the research study.
Abstract Qualitative research often implies multiple methodologies. In qualitative research the emphasis is more on veritable generalization of confidently established causal relationships from an examined group to a wider population. This paper defines and examines qualitative research design and other issues regarding research study.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Definition
Classification of Qualitative Research Methods of Qualitative Research Qualitative Research Strategies, Processes and Approaches
Techniques for Collecting and Analyzing Data
Criteria for Judging Qualitative Research Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Historically originating in the field of cultural anthropology (Vidich and Lyman, 1994), ethnographic approaches to social research have been applied in numerous fields: social and cultural anthropology, sociology, human geography, organization studies, educational research, and cultural studies. Ethnography and participant observation can be understood as the description of some group's culture from the group's perspective. One can identify different levels of involvement in participant observation: (1) complete observer; (2) observer as participant; (3) participant as observer; and (4) complete participant (Atkinson and Hammersly, 1994, p. 248)."
Abstract This research paper discusses the strengths and weaknesses of questionnaires as research tools. The paper explores how, once a research paradigm and research questions are defined, researchers must determine the design nature (exploratory or conclusive). The paper discusses and evaluates different survey methods and compares the advantages and disadvantages of the survey methods over other descriptive research designs. Additionally, the paper discusses considerations involved in conducting surveys as well as the ethical issues arising from the various kinds of survey research identified. Finally, the author makes a proposal for a future study to design and evaluate a pilot questionnaire on effective uses of questionnaires as educational research tools.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Questionnaire Design
Validity and Reliability
Sampling Design and Procedure
Analytic Procedure
Conclusion
From the Paper "Social science researchers have long debated the best, most efficacious ways of viewing the world. Two major paradigms, the C positivist and interpretivist, have today become the main focus of this debate. The C positivist paradigm is more compatible with quantitative research methodology. Quantitative research endeavors to define, explain, predict or control phenomena, using descriptive and inferential statistics. That method reflects belief that reality is mechanistic and deterministic, and that a whole may be divided into parts. Quantitative research implies faith in scientific progress, and the static nature of reality. Thorndike state that if anything exists, it can be measured. Objectivity and detachment are upheld in quantitative data collection, in order to explain changes in aspects of reality, or reveal any cause-and- effect relationships that may occur among parts of a whole. Interpretivist paradigms relate mostly to qualitative methodology. Subscribers believe human beings, individually and collectively, develop reality. Such paradigms interpret the specific instead of generalizing from the specific."
Abstract This paper discusses and contrasts qualitative research as opposed to quantitative research by reviewing two articles. The first article entitled "The Qualitative-Quantitative Debate" by A.K. Trochim argues that there is very little difference between the two types of research, despite the conflict, since all qualitative data can be coded quantitatively. S. Ferch also explores the difference between quantitative and qualitative research in the article "Quantitative versus Qualitative Research: An Attempt to Clarify the Problem." The writer feels the most insightful finding Ferch discovers is that research is conducted in the real world, and therefore often does not fit into the ideal paradigms of either/ or research methodology exactly. The reviewer concludes that the debate over qualitative versus quantitative is moot, since both authors found those who rely on qualitative measures must use quantitative measures in their analysis and vice versa.
Outline:
Introduction
Literature Review
Method
Results
Discussion
References
From the Paper "The researchers both used qualitative and quantitative methods for proving their point that neither research type can stand alone in the real world; however no data, other than their own experiential data was collected. Therefore, the sample size was considerably small. They used this data to generalize their unique findings to demonstrate the connectivity between the two methods."
Tags:research, methods, qualitative, research, quantitative, research
Abstract This paper paper presents a study to explore the shift work and fatigue in air traffic controllers and their negative impact on safety. The paper relates that the research also focuses on the relationship between shift work, fatigue and time management in the present moment based on semi-structured interviews and questionnaire conducted over a short period of time with makes this research a cross-sectional study. In addition, the paper explains that the purpose of the research is to further the process of increasing transportation safety. The paper relates that it trusts that this research will contribute to increase the knowledge of current practice and provide a basis for future discussions and development of practice.
Outline:
Methodology
Research Philosophy
Research Approach
Research Strategy
Time Horizons and Research Type
Data Collection Methods
Sample Description
Data Quality Issues
Analysing the Data
Conclusion
Methodology
From the Paper "Thereafter, data will be placed into theoretical structures and analysed with regards to how well they correspond. In some stages of the data analysis process, the researcher may encounter concepts/theories which had not been described in the existing theories and models of shift work, fatigue and time management in the literature review. These theories/concepts will be thereafter explained in depth and proposals will be made on how they can be associated with the current theories. As Saunders et al. (2003, p.385) mention "the data collection, data analysis and the development and verification of relationships and conclusions are very much an interrelated and interactive set of processes," which permits the studier to distinguish fundamental themes, relationships and interactions during data collection process. In addition, in this research, the data analysis will be carried out not only after all the data collection is complete, but also all through the survey process. "
Abstract Examines how companies use research in their organizations, with an emphasis on customer research, competitor research and environmental research. The importance of the research department to better understand the customer base, competition both present and future, and environmental research that gained importance on a global level are all discussed.
From the Paper "Research is an important part of a company's operation even when the company is unaware that actual research is being conducted. Large companies may incorporate formal research projects into their ..."
Abstract This paper discusses certain research methods and types of research and the importance of ethics in research. The author feels that when carrying out research it is extremely important that the research is conducted in a safe and ethical manner. He feels that researchers must ensure that the rights of the research subjects are not violated in any way. This paper contains excerpts from studies on the matter and their conclusions.
From the Paper " "Educational researchers have good intentions, but if they are not careful, their studies can place individuals in situations that involve risk" (Gall, 1996). Data collection, and analysis, subject selection, research procedure, credibility of the researcher and the worth of the study are all ethical issues that those wishing to perform a study face. Often researchers are the victims of poor planning or inexperience and their subjects suffer for it. "
Abstract This paper discusses how when the general public thinks of research, they think of an active investigator making use of passive data. In the case of human-based research, if the general public thinks of it at all, they assume that research consists of the researcher asking questions of a responsive participant. Participatory action research (PAR), however, alters these patterns of research. This paper further addresses how PAR can have an effect on social change? Is it possible for it, also, to effect change in educational organizations? What is Participatory Action Research (PAR)?
Abstract The paper discusses quantitative research which focuses on quantifiable data and conclusions. The paper states that quantitative research lends itself particularly well to the natural sciences and numerical disciplines, as exact measurements are required for these. They in turn provide research facts via an explanation of the statistical truth. The paper confirms that the researcher's value judgments are not to be imposed upon the conclusions drawn from the data, as the researcher is viewed as an objective observer. The paper concludes that whilst most appropriate for natural scientific research, the quantitative research has also increasingly been used in social sciences in order to draw logical conclusions from existing facts.
From the Paper "Being a social science, education has generally been studied by qualitative methods. The reason for this is that human beings are not an exact science, and facts have to be derived by an inductive rather than deductive approach. Best practice could therefore best be determined by making value judgments rather than drawing quantitative conclusions. It has however been recognized that the social sciences can also be studied from an objective rather than subjective viewpoint. According to Hara, quantitative research can be used in education in order to discover existing facts by means of isolating human reality from the researcher's subjectivity. The data obtained in this way can then be presented in a numerical, objective way, in order to derive universally applicable conclusions. The value of such research is that it exists independently from values such as time, place and culture. Hence the conclusions can be applied to any educational setting. "
An analysis of the secondary research in two articles: "Interpersonal Influence and Consumer Innovativeness" by Ronald Clark and Ronald Goldsmith and "A Magic Potion? Wellness Drinks", in the January 2007 issue of the "Economist".
Abstract Secondary research (also known as desk research) involves the summary, collation and/or synthesis of existing research rather than primary research, where data is collected from, for example, research subjects or experiments. The author of this paper examines and evaluates the effective use of secondary research in two separate articles: "Interpersonal Influence and Consumer Innovativeness" by Ronald Clark and Ronald Goldsmith and "A Magic Potion? Wellness Drinks", in the January 2007 issue of the "Economist". The writer examines each article in turn and evaluates the effectiveness of secondary research as used in the specific article.
From the Paper "When considering the launch of a new product there are a wealth of information resources, all available through secondary data, that need to be considered. First, there is the need for creating a reasonable and accurate product plan based on unmet customers' needs. Existing market research reports and a series of market studies will define the major unmet needs of any market segment. Using demographics as the foundation for completing a comparison of multiple secondary sources would also lead to the development of an interconnected database of factors, all gleaned through secondary research, which would serve to further provide insights into the market. The use of pricing studies and pricing analysis, in addition to studies of distribution channels, could also be used to create a more realistic picture of the market."
Tags: hypotheses, research, posited, referent, consumers, interpersonal, validating, data
Abstract This paper provides a historical overview of research methodologies and demonstrates that the evolution of the research process is as significant as the research itself. It is shown that the time and energy that has gone into identifying appropriate conduct and strategy within the research process may still yield differences in perspective among researchers but ultimately this controversy comes from the hard-earned lessons acquired through continuous learning and development within the field of methodological conduct, particularly within the debate over qualitative and quantitative research.
From the Paper "What is deemed acceptable in research methodology differs dramatically according to the perceptions held by researchers concerning what it means to implement an effective methodology, as well as the standards that are set among researchers regarding same. This implies, correctly, that what comprises an effective research method is in many ways arbitrary; researchers from different disciplines, for example, may approach the same question through the use of different research methodologies and acquire different results, implying that determining the appropriate method of approach is as significant to the overall research process as the actual data collection process that is governed by same."
Abstract The following essay discusses the ethical and moral issues connected with the mapping of human genome and unethical practices during fetal tissue study. The genetic research and fetal tissue research aim at minimizing the risk of genetic disorders in children and adults but many argue that this kind of research does not take into account the issue of human dignity.
From the Paper "The genetic research or genetic engineering, as it is commonly known as, refers to the study of human genetic makeup, which is required for better and deeper understanding of the genetic problems. This subject has been heatedly debated all over the world but most prominently in the West where the research is currently gaining momentum. The government plays a key role in the research because it is only when the government allows a particulate controversial research that further studies can be conducted in that field."
Abstract This paper describes what evaluative research is and how it differs from traditional research. The paper points out that evaluative research is usually funded by one sponsor and that this type of sponsorship can lead to a bias in the research findings.
From the Paper "Evaluative research is conducted in more or less the same manner as traditional research however it can be distinguished from other social researches on the basis of the fact that evaluative research is usually carried out mainly to evaluate or assess the effectiveness of a certain program or product."
Abstract The paper provides a review of an article researching nursing. The paper analyzes the article in terms of its design, sampling, methodology and results and offers recommendations for research improvement. The paper presents a summary that evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the research conducted. The paper concludes that the article reviewed was an abomination in terms of research best-fit practice.
From the Paper "Fairly critiquing an investigator's research endeavor is a task that must be taken seriously. Although it is quite easy to have an opinion of another's research, it is something quite different to be able to evaluate the research activity in terms of topic specificity and soundness, intent or purpose, data analysis and informational importance. When embarking upon a critical analysis of another's work, the reviewer must, at all times, adhere to the basic principle of prudent evaluation; namely, evaluating the structure of the research upon which scientific conclusions are drawn."
Abstract This paper consists of two questions related to research and design. The paper explains how the first question relates to the importance of making a mind map and an outline with regard to a research project. The paper describes how these are essential planning stages in the research process. The paper's second question asks the student to evaluate what problems he or she has encountered with regard to the research project.
From the Paper "Outlines and mind maps are of the utmost importance when doing a formal paper, as well as when doing research for a paper of any length. However, I would like to qualify this statement by saying that people's minds work differently and I would be hard pressed to imagine a single method of planning that would work well for everyone. Mind maps and outlines come close, though, because they are flexible enough to allow for individual expression and use. I think the substance is more important that a rigid adherence to the form. That is, I think that in making a mind map or outline, the form that is prescribed is there in order to guide the generation of ideas."
Abstract This paper explores the concept of Internet research for writing. The paper delves into the positive aspects of Internet research, such as web sites that are effective in aiding the researcher, and the options available on the World Wide Web. The paper further explores the negative elements of Internet research to include Internet addiction, reputable sites, and plagiarism. The paper provides evidence of the research, and draws conclusions based on factual material.
