Paper Summary:

The paper describes both the quantitative and qualitative research methods to be used in a study on anabolic steroids and personality changes. The paper asserts that a mixed methodology approach would be best suited for this research topic, since it would allow the researcher to determine if a causal connection exists between the two variables and to examine the factors that could have influenced the survey results.

Outline:
Quantitative
Qualitative
Mixed Method

From the Paper:

"Quantitative methods are best suited for studies where the research topic can be reduced to a single data point. Choosing an appropriate measure for the study is an important factor. Fair measures are those that are externally developed, independent, reliable and valid (Fashola, 2004). In this case, anabolic steroid use will serve as the independent variable and personality change will be the dependent variable. The purpose is to measure the effect of independent variable on the dependent variable.
"Determining appropriate effect size is an important element in quantitative research methods. An appropriate effect size will help future researchers to determine the applicability of the study results (Anderson-Cook, 2003; Trusty & Thompson, 2004). A goal of 400 anabolic steroid users would be an excellent choice for this study and would provide a sufficient effect size.
"The sample population will compare results of a group of persons using anabolic steroids for a short period. The study will entail a pretest, using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory to determine if any preexisting personality disorders exist and to use as a baseline. The subjects will then receive a course of anabolic steroids for a specific time. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory will then be administered again to determine if any changes have occurred, Data analysis will focus on changes between the pre and posttest conditions. This method will allow the researcher to isolate the variable and to determine if changes in personality over the test period are directly associated with their use."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Anderson-Cook, C. (2003). Interpreting Quantitative Data. Journal of the American Statistical Association. 98 (462): 492.
• Davidson, L. (2007). Qualitative Research Methods in Psychology: Introduction through Empirical Studies. Journal of Phenomenological Psychology. 38 (1): 151.
• Ember, C, & Ember, M. (2003). Cross-Cultural Research Methods. Journal Title: Journal of Comparative Family Studies. 34 (2): 303.
• Fashola, O. (2004). Being an Informed Consumer of Quantitative Educational Research. Phi Delta Kappan. 85 (7): 532.
• Kaplan, D. (Ed.), (2005) The SAGE Handbook of Quantitative Methodology for the Social Sciences, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications,

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