Discussion #2: Analysis of Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed-Methods

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Discussion #2 (50 Pts):

PART 1: Introduction to Research: Read the Assigned Articles and Comment as Directed

Source Documents (See Below):

1. Soft Skills Student Survey
2. Qualitative Data Example
3. RS6539 Quantitative Qualitative Mixed-Methods Analysis

Let’s talk methods, or methodology in research. The ebook identifies three types: 1) Qualitative; 2) Quantitative; and, 3) Mixed-methods.

The book defines these as:

1. Qualitative – relies on the collection of qualitative data (nonnumerical data such as pictures and words)
2. Quantitative – relies on the collection of quantitative data (numerical data)
3. Mixed-methods – combination of methods in qualitative and quantitative

Example: When you review the Soft Skills Student Survey article below, and you look at Questions 1-20 in Item #3 on the survey, you will notice that the responses are listed as: Don’t Know, Poor, Fair, Average, Good, and Excellent. This is a type of Quantitative collection instrument. Let’s assume that 500 students responded to this question (#19), “My Communication Skills…” The scale of the responses is: Don’t Know = 1; Poor = 2; Fair = 3; Average = 4; Good = 5; and, Excellent = 6. Assuming that the 500 students had an average of 4.72 for this question, how would you interpret this question based on these findings?

Here is your assignment: You are NOT to attempt to learn the totality of the three source documents listed above/below, but you SHOULD be able to answer three questions:

1. In your own words, how would you explain to a non-research-guru friend of yours what a qualitative study might look like if you were trying to describe the contents of the data that would be included in the report? Hint: See source documents;

2. In your own words, how would you explain to a non-research-guru friend of yours what a quantitative study might look like if you were trying to describe the contents of the data that would be included in the report? Hint: See source documents;

3. In your own words, how would you explain to a non-research-guru friend of yours what a mixed-methods study might look like if you were trying to describe the contents of the data that would be included in the report? Hint: See source documents.

Do this Part 1 in a one-to-two-page MS Word document, double-spaced, and title this exercise:

Part 1: My Analysis of Discussion #2: Comparative Analysis of Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed-Method Methodologies of Research

Grading: Part 1) Items #1 – #3, @ 10 Points Each; Correct title provided: = 5 Points (Part 1 Total = 35); Part 2) One Paragraph summarizing your interpretation of the Research Paper Project (RPP): = 15 Points (Part 2 Total = 15). Total for Discussion #2 = 50 Points.

Part 2: My First Impression of the Research Paper Project, or Research Paper, Peer-Reviewed:
In this part of Discussion #2, you should take a few minutes to do this: review the Page below that is titled, Research Paper Project vs. the standard Research Paper. Look at the differences in the two samples and compare them. Then, in your opinion, what did you notice about their differences. This is not a major assignment, but for the purpose of observation–which is a skill of researchers…whether a consumer of research or a developer of research… *** simply add this half page analysis to the end of Part 1. On your paper, label the sections Part 1 and Part 2 and add the title for Part 1 as noted above, and title Part 2: “So, what’s the big deal between a Research Paper Project and the Research Paper?”