RESEARCH - ELEMENT 2: METHOD
Candidates apply research methodology to solving problems and enhancing practice.
Artifact: Applied Research Project
Description:
GREV 610: Statistics II, Spring 2014
The goal of this assignment was to have completed a project designed to provide "hands-on" experience with survey research. Specifically, to design a sample questionnaire and engage in an extensive pre-test of the instrument. If possible, the survey will be field tested on a similar population as will be included in the final study (e.g., dissertation). In preparation for the field-testing, students will complete online training in the protection of human subjects at the CITI website. The final project consists of a written report on an original survey created by the student, using Zoomerang. Students will design an instrument consisting of a moderate number of survey questions. Depending on number of questions students may be asked to combine instruments with other students in the class for purpose of data collection. Students will be expected to collect data, either through paper and pencil " interviews, telephone interviews, or online interviews. Survey responses were collected, coded and analyzed statistically. As needed questions were revised or eliminated. This artifact demonstrates my understanding of research methodology and applying it to answer questions based on my research area of interest.
Candidates apply research methodology to solving problems and enhancing practice.
Artifact: Applied Research Project
Description:
GREV 610: Statistics II, Spring 2014
The goal of this assignment was to have completed a project designed to provide "hands-on" experience with survey research. Specifically, to design a sample questionnaire and engage in an extensive pre-test of the instrument. If possible, the survey will be field tested on a similar population as will be included in the final study (e.g., dissertation). In preparation for the field-testing, students will complete online training in the protection of human subjects at the CITI website. The final project consists of a written report on an original survey created by the student, using Zoomerang. Students will design an instrument consisting of a moderate number of survey questions. Depending on number of questions students may be asked to combine instruments with other students in the class for purpose of data collection. Students will be expected to collect data, either through paper and pencil " interviews, telephone interviews, or online interviews. Survey responses were collected, coded and analyzed statistically. As needed questions were revised or eliminated. This artifact demonstrates my understanding of research methodology and applying it to answer questions based on my research area of interest.
Reflection:
Your research will dictate the kinds of research methodologies you use to underpin your work and methods you use in order to collect data. If you wish to collect quantitative data you are probably measuring variables and verifying existing theories or hypotheses or questioning them. Data is often used to generate new hypotheses based on the results of data collected about different variables. However, often collections of statistics and number crunching are not the answer to understanding meanings, beliefs and experience, which are better understood through qualitative data. And quantitative data, it must be remembered, are also collected in accordance with certain research vehicles and underlying research questions. Even the production of numbers is guided by the kinds of questions asked of the subjects, so is essentially subjective, although it appears less so than qualitative research data. This artifact really helped me to define elements of a good research question (validity, reliability, question length, defining terms, time), as well as concepts such as open ended vs. closed ended questions, question ordering effects, and measuring intensity. Also, understanding whether to us qualitative v.s. quantitative methodology based on those research questions. I also learned how to determine what time of statical analysis would fit depending on the research question, and how many independent and dependent variables are a part of that question. Personally, I was able to grow in my knowledge of data collection through surveys and ethical issues related to survey research. Professionally, I grow in my ability to find reliable sources (scholarly journals, books, Google Scholar, ProQuest, and EbscoHost) in research in order to validate the quality of surveys within research methodology. This impacts students in that appropriate research methods are used when checking for understanding of prior knowledge, and applying reliably resources when determining best practices for instructional purposes.
Artifact: Final Project
Description:
GREV 611: Statistics III, Fall 2013
The goal of this project was to individually analyze a dataset for the purpose of answering one or more research questions on a certain topic. We were responsible to select our own topic, formulate research questions/and or hypotheses, design the appropriate study; find a suitable dataset to answer the stated research questions/research hypotheses, conduct data analysis, and produce a properly APA-formatted research paper. The paper was designed as a scholarly document similar to one that might be presented at a professional conference. Through discussion board posts, we were encouraged to check with the instructor, on the appropriateness of their research questions/hypotheses, design, and dataset. The analysis was to involve at least one of the statistical methods covered in this course.
Your research will dictate the kinds of research methodologies you use to underpin your work and methods you use in order to collect data. If you wish to collect quantitative data you are probably measuring variables and verifying existing theories or hypotheses or questioning them. Data is often used to generate new hypotheses based on the results of data collected about different variables. However, often collections of statistics and number crunching are not the answer to understanding meanings, beliefs and experience, which are better understood through qualitative data. And quantitative data, it must be remembered, are also collected in accordance with certain research vehicles and underlying research questions. Even the production of numbers is guided by the kinds of questions asked of the subjects, so is essentially subjective, although it appears less so than qualitative research data. This artifact really helped me to define elements of a good research question (validity, reliability, question length, defining terms, time), as well as concepts such as open ended vs. closed ended questions, question ordering effects, and measuring intensity. Also, understanding whether to us qualitative v.s. quantitative methodology based on those research questions. I also learned how to determine what time of statical analysis would fit depending on the research question, and how many independent and dependent variables are a part of that question. Personally, I was able to grow in my knowledge of data collection through surveys and ethical issues related to survey research. Professionally, I grow in my ability to find reliable sources (scholarly journals, books, Google Scholar, ProQuest, and EbscoHost) in research in order to validate the quality of surveys within research methodology. This impacts students in that appropriate research methods are used when checking for understanding of prior knowledge, and applying reliably resources when determining best practices for instructional purposes.
Artifact: Final Project
Description:
GREV 611: Statistics III, Fall 2013
The goal of this project was to individually analyze a dataset for the purpose of answering one or more research questions on a certain topic. We were responsible to select our own topic, formulate research questions/and or hypotheses, design the appropriate study; find a suitable dataset to answer the stated research questions/research hypotheses, conduct data analysis, and produce a properly APA-formatted research paper. The paper was designed as a scholarly document similar to one that might be presented at a professional conference. Through discussion board posts, we were encouraged to check with the instructor, on the appropriateness of their research questions/hypotheses, design, and dataset. The analysis was to involve at least one of the statistical methods covered in this course.
Reflection:
This artifact demonstrates my knowledge of applying appropriate research methods based on the type of study and research questions posed. It further helped me to define what I learned from the previous project, specifically in terms of choosing appropriate statistical methods based on the given research question or questions. Personally, I was able to grow in my knowledge of qualitative studies versus quantitative studies. Professionally, I grow in my ability to find reliable sources and develop skills in the use of a statistical computer package to analyze multivariate data and interpret results. Specifically, I was able to gain knowledge of multivariate statistics as a tool for reading relevant research and professional literature This impacts students in that appropriate surveys are used when checking for understanding or prior knowledge, and applying reliably resources when determining best practices for instructional purposes.
This artifact demonstrates my knowledge of applying appropriate research methods based on the type of study and research questions posed. It further helped me to define what I learned from the previous project, specifically in terms of choosing appropriate statistical methods based on the given research question or questions. Personally, I was able to grow in my knowledge of qualitative studies versus quantitative studies. Professionally, I grow in my ability to find reliable sources and develop skills in the use of a statistical computer package to analyze multivariate data and interpret results. Specifically, I was able to gain knowledge of multivariate statistics as a tool for reading relevant research and professional literature This impacts students in that appropriate surveys are used when checking for understanding or prior knowledge, and applying reliably resources when determining best practices for instructional purposes.