Monday, August 24, 2009

Discussion Card for Creswell's Ch. 6

Please post your question, quote, and fact here.
Posted by at

14 comments:

  1. UnknownSeptember 20, 2009 at 3:08 PM

    Question: Since data collection using behavioral observations may be conducted by multiple researchers, is this an accurate method of data collection? Even with training, wouldn't the margin for error be increased since each researcher is "different", and this difference may affect the reponses of participants in some way?

    Quote: pg. 165 "The availability of public documents does not infer that researchers have collected the data carefully, with an eye toward accuracy."

    Fact: An operational definition is the specification of how you will define and measure the variable in your study. If a suitable existing operational definition cannot be found, you may need to construct your own. The idea of constructing your own operational definition of a variable in your research is very interesting. This seems both equally empowering and frightening.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Corey NickellSeptember 20, 2009 at 6:28 PM

    Corey Nickell

    Question: Do the random number tables help distribute equally among the people chosen? It seems the draftees in the Vietnam War had issues with simple random sampling.


    Quote: Page 180 “The process of data collection involves more than simply gathering information; it includes five interrelated step.” (I had no idea there are so many different types of variables, scales, and measurements!)

    Interesting fact: It seems as if finding an instrument appropriate for your research is important and if you have to create one it takes a great deal to accomplish creating one. I see that you can use others as is or modify with consent. Also, a researcher may purchase one. In the past I am wondering what MW students use and if there was some kind of outrageous time or cost invested in this part of their research?

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownSeptember 21, 2009 at 6:29 PM

    Corey, I was wondering exactly the same thing about the instrument. Is this something we need to consider for our research, and if so, how do we choose an instrument that meets our time and financial needs?

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownSeptember 21, 2009 at 6:37 PM

    Question: Okay, the information about research is kind of piling up now. What will our research look like at the end? What parts will we include? All of this?

    Quote: (179) "By obtaining permissions and clearly communicating the purpose of the study before you collect data, you can lessen the reservations some individuals may have about your presence in their educational setting."

    Fact: As with all phases of research, data-collection needs to be conducted in an ethical manner, protecting the rights of the participants.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2009 at 7:12 PM

    Question: If Simple Random Sampling is the most rigorous... Why is it the most popular? Is it because it is the most effective to have a true and fair testing of a population?

    Quote: (179) "Data collection should be ethical and it should respect individuals and sites."
    Just another great reminder for us about respecting those who we are asking to assist in our research. The participants are doing us a favor and we need to be appreciative.


    Interesting Fact: (page 155) The stratification procedure consists of stratifying by the population into boys and girls and selecting individuals in proportion to their representation in the total population, resulting in 200 boys and 100 girls.
    **This fact shed an entirely different light on how I previously thought participants or number of participants would be selected.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2009 at 7:14 PM

    Dana,

    I am wondering the exact same thing. Will we be required to utilize each of the research components in our own research? If so, I am thinking I should have started my research a long, long time ago.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2009 at 7:17 PM

    Corey,
    I am right there with you! When I began reading I was thinking Qualitative and Quantitative research, not a big deal. Oh it is a big deal. I don't think I could right now list each of the components and begin my research. I am going to need a while to absorb all the information.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2009 at 7:25 PM

    Dana,

    I agree with you even if the book would not have tell us how to act towards participants that we as educators would be kind and respectful. However, some seem to find their way around this.

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownSeptember 23, 2009 at 11:34 AM

    Interesting Fact: When collecting data for a study Creswell explains the five steps. Select participants, obtain permission, select types of data, indentifying instruments, and administering data collection.

    Question: Because Creswell explains that if you can not find the correct instrument to collect your data you have the option to create your own. Would it be easier to change your way of collecting data to find an instrument or to create your own instrument?

    Quote: It is important to protect the privacy and cofidentiality of individuals who participate in the study.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Mrs. DalrympleSeptember 23, 2009 at 1:29 PM

    Question: What are some examples from MWSU of when the IRB has not approved research?

    Quote: (p. 152) “Researchers decide which type of sampling to use in their study based on such factors as the amount of rigor they seek for their studies, the characteristics of the target population, and the availability of participants.”

    Fact: When selecting a sample size, select as large a sample as possible from the population. The larger the sample, the less potential error the sample will be different from the population.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Dr. HendrixOctober 1, 2009 at 5:42 AM

    Ann,

    Great question about the sampling! It is popular because with quantitative studies, researchers will try to generalize the results to a larger population, and this is one of the best ways to do that.

    Good work here,
    Dr. Hendrix

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ann GustafsonOctober 6, 2009 at 2:48 PM

    Question: If I am studying students in my classroom, would I be using a convenience sampling?

    Quote: "If scores are not reliable, they are not valid; scores need to be stable and consistent first before they can be meaningful."

    Interesting Fact: Several factors that can result in unreliable data include: unclear questions, non-standardized tests, and participants who are tired, nervous, misinterpret questions or guess on the tests.

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownOctober 11, 2009 at 12:34 PM

    Question: How do you decide if the performance measure that you decide to use is acceptable in the study? pg 161

    Quote:"..one drawback of performance data is that it does not measure individual attitudes."

    Interesting Fact: To develop attitudinal measures, researchers often write their own questions. pg 161.
    I think as I continue to read this book, I continue to waver as to what I like vs. what I want to question.

    ReplyDelete
  14. LaDawndraNovember 1, 2009 at 8:29 AM

    Question:
    Can a target group involve more than students? Could the parents and community programs be included?

    Quote:
    "A institutional review board is a committe made up of faculty members who review and approve research so that the research protects the rights of the participants. " p151


    Interesting Fact:
    In a snowball sampling the researcher asks particpants to identify others to become members of a sample. p 149

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)