Select a topic of inquiry.
Select a topic of inquiry. Obtain 6 social science research articles on the topic. At least three must be based on qualitative field research, and at least three must be based on quantitative survey research.
Exercises 2/3
Now that you have developed your research question, you need to begin the process of developing your research design. Since your proposal will ultimately involve multiple methods proposal, recognize that the process will differ for your qualitative and quantitative studies. You will move toward the development of your proposed design by first providing a more detailed analysis of the research articles on your chosen topic
(from Exercise 1).
Exercise #2 Quantitative Survey Research
A.
You will complete Parts I-IV for each of your quantitative/survey research articles.
The issues you need to address are outlined below, and your critical analysis will be
approximately two typed pages for each article.
I.Theoretical Orientation.
What is the research question/topic? What theory is presented? Why is the research
important? What are the hypotheses?
II.Methods.
1. What is the unit of analysis? What is the time dimension? What sampling procedure
was used? Was it appropriate for the research question/ the population under
consideration? Discuss the sample size (and demographic characteristics), and
representativeness.
2. What are the independent and dependent variables? What other key (control)
variables are identified? How are the central concepts defined and operationalized?
(Include the names/definitions, and indicators of each major concept.) Is the level of
measurement appropriate? How does the study assess reliability and validity?
III.Data Collection and Analysis Critique
1. What was the response rate, and does the author address the issue of nonresponse
bias? Do the questions asked of respondents (number, wording) adequately reflect the
concepts? For closed-ended questions, were the response categories appropriate, exhaustive, and mutually exclusive? For open-ended questions, how were the responses categorized? Were the questions clear and unambiguous, avoiding social
desirability, etc.? 2. What statistical analyses were are applied to the data? What are the key research results? Are the findings clearly presented, with appropriate inference about the strength and direction of the association and statistical significance of
hypothesized relationships? Does the author make causal inferences? What evidence is presented regarding direction of influence and nonspuriousness?
IV.Conclusions and Reporting.
Is the method used appropriate, or well-suited, to addressing the research question or
testing the hypothesis?
How do the researchers address ethical concerns? Are procedures implemented that
adequately protect participants’ rights and welfare?
What substantive conclusions are drawn from the study? Are the conclusions
appropriate to the design and the representativeness of the sample? Does the author
discuss alternative explanations of findings or results? Does the research replicate,
modify, extend, or contradict previous studies?
Has the researcher reported any shortcomings in the study design or execution? Does
the author discuss the implications of study results for future research?
What do you think of the quality of the research?
B. Proposed Research Design
This section will be approximately three-four typed pages.
First, provide a critical integration (compare and contrast) of the articles to
summarize “what is known” about the topic. You might note important similarities or
differences in theoretical orientation, sampling/methods, data analysis/results,
conclusions, strengths and limitations. Taking the articles together, what do you now
know overall about your research topic, and what gaps in existing knowledge remain?
Then, propose an alternative survey design to replicate, extend, or improve upon
the studies you reviewed, particularly addressing any noted errors, limitations, or
deficiencies.
What population/sampling procedure would you use; why? What mode of survey
administration will you use: why? Will you use the same or different questions as those
in your literature; why?
Include your questionnaire. You will need at least two indicators (or an existing
scale) each for your independent variable, dependent variable, and control variables.
After these are approved, you will pre-test them on about five cases, and you will
include the results (what you learned) in your final proposal paper.
base on the exercise 1 add 4more pages
Answer preview Select a topic of inquiry.
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