quantitative methods & qualitative methods

1. This discussion supports your understanding of the quantitative method of research and the varied elements involved in the management, interpretation and reporting of a quantitative study. In your initial post, address the following:

• Differentiate between randomized and nonrandomized approaches to sampling populations. Discuss the importance of the role of sampling when conducting research.
• Discuss the usefulness of pretesting, pilot testing, or field-testing a survey.
• Explain how response bias can influence the outcomes of a study.
• Explain why measures of dispersion and measures of central tendencies are important when doing data analysis and interpretation in an experimental study.
• Discuss the implications of using previously used instruments on the outcomes of a study.

Answers to all components of this discussion question can be found in the textbook — Chapter 8 in particular.  Don’t forget to address each of the various components, including:
    •   Why does sampling play an important role when conducting quantitative research?   What is the difference between randomized and non-randomized approaches to sampling populations?
    •    Discuss why pretesting, pilot testing, or field-testing is important when a quantitative researcher wants to administer a survey.
    •    Explain how response bias influences the outcomes of a study.   When thinking about this component, consider whether the race, gender, nationality, etc. of the interviewer may impact the answers that a respondent gives.  Or perhaps, think about the type of question asked.  For example, if a survey asks a respondent whether or not they are racist… do you think all people will answer honestly?
    •    Explain why measures of dispersion and measures of central tendencies are important when doing data analysis and interpretation in an experimental study.
    •    Discuss the implications of using previously used instruments on the outcomes of a study. 

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references.

2. This discussion supports your understanding of the qualitative method of research and the varied elements involved in the management, interpretation, and reporting of a qualitative study. In your initial post, address the following:

• Examine the list of characteristics of qualitative research provided on pages 185-186. Which three characteristics do you think will be most important in your research? Justify your choices. (See Attachment below for the characteristics)
• Why do you think the researcher is important when conducting qualitative research?
• What do you perceive is the most important role of gatekeepers in qualitative research? Explain.
• Discuss the relative merits of using manual as opposed to computer-based coding when completing qualitative data analysis.
• After reading about Alice Goffman’s work and when working on Week Three’s assignment, “Understanding the Value of Qualitative Research” consider the ”world” of a social issue or social group that you would like to research as an immersive ethnographer. What world would you choose to immerse yourself in? What specific issue would you research? And what would you hope to gain from the experience? Do you feel you would have challenges maintaining researcher separation with becoming too immersed in that world?

Most of this discussion is covered by Chapter 9. The final question asks you to consider the research project of Alice Goffman presented in your Week 3 assignment. Think about an exciting immersion project. Some interesting Sociological studies have immersed themselves in environments such as the community of a urban boxing gym in Harlem, the community of a fire station in Gary, Indiana or the community of a large supermarket (static gender roles), etc. 

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references.