final paper

Running head: METHODS OF RESEARCH 1

Methods of Research

Rashekah Muhammad

Ashford university

5/28/2018

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1. university

Capitalize [Kathryn

Sorensen]

METHODS OF RESEARCH 2

Question 1

Most people often have distinct views on the causes of the HIV/AIDs thus having

different myths and misconceptions on how the virus gets transmitted. In striving to establish the

myths and misconceptions about HIV/AIDs, various research methods can be most effective

(Ervin, 2000). One of the essential methods used for the practice is social, socioeconomic and

health indicators. The use of this method employs the use of the demographic and statistical data

that are used in monitoring the changes that reflect on the needs of the individuals in a society.

Most people from different ethnic backgrounds have their perceptions on the myths and the

misconceptions about HIV/AIDs, and through this method, these aspects can get derived from

different people. Also, some people have the belief that individuals having certain appearances

suggesting that they might be suffering from certain diseases such as being thin are associated

with the HIV infection. In such circumstance, the researcher can strive and interview such

individuals on the potential causes and how they can identify individual suffering from the virus.

Rates under Treatment

The second technique is 'rates under treatment'. The methods strive to get the information

from individuals based on the various factors such as age, sex, and socioeconomic status. The

sources of data in the case would be obtaining the records from the practitioners in the health

centre or through the interview of the individual members of the community (Ervin, 2000). Also,

the data can be obtained through observation of the rates at which the individuals utilize the

health centers and determining which age group or gender is profoundly affected by the social

problem most. From the methods or the assessment, the responsible parties would know how to

approach the issue and to the individuals where they should make much of their efforts striving

to reduce or eliminate the misconceptions or myths about the HIV/AIDs.

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5

1. thus having

Remember to open your

paper with an introduction

that provides your reader with

a thesis statement. In this

opening paragraph you want

to prepare your reader for

what is to come, but want to

reserve the specific content

and details for the body of the

paper. [Kathryn Sorensen]

2. The use of this method

employs the use of the

demographic and statistical

data that are used in

monitoring the changes

that reflect on the needs of

the individuals in a society.

Good, but where would you

get this data? What types of

agencies/organizations would

be able to supply this kind of

information? [Kathryn

Sorensen]

3. some people have the

belief that individuals

having certain appearances

suggesting that they might

be suffering from certain

diseases such as being thin

are associated

with the HIV infection. In

such circumstance, the

researcher can strive and

interview such

individuals on the potential

causes and how they can

identify individual suffering

from the virus.

How would you identify such

people? How many would

you need to interview? Is

interviewing the only way to

obtain this information? What

about surveys? Have any

other organizations collected

similar data? It would be

important to identify such

previous research. How

many people would you need

to interview/survey in order to

have enough data to be

meaningful? [Kathryn

Sorensen]

4. case would be obtaining the records from the practitioners in the

health

centre or through the interview of the individual members of the

community

Socioeconomic status is not likely in medical records, but other demographic

data would be. [Kathryn Sorensen]

5. From the methods or the assessment, the responsible parties would

know how to approach the issue and to the individuals where they

should make much of their efforts striving to reduce or eliminate the

misconceptions or myths about the HIV/AIDs.

So you would want to target those already exposed to the disease to find out

what their misconceptions are? Or would it be beneficial to collect data from

those who do not use the health center as well? [Kathryn Sorensen]

METHODS OF RESEARCH 3

Survey and Questionnaires is another essential technique. The individual needs can also

get assessed through the use of the questionnaires. The data can be derived from individuals

sampled and provided by the questionnaires to fill some of the questions on the needs of the

people upon the establishment of the possible needs. The aspect will enable the organizations or

the concerned group to rank the needs of the individuals based on the data provided (Ervin,

2000). However, various forms of the survey can also get used in the assessment, and this

includes telephone, direct questioning, and the method can be done at different levels from the

highly structured to the open-ended format.

Key-Informant Interviews

Another important technique is the use of key-informant interviews. The myths and the

misconceptions about the HIV/AIDs is an aspect that affects most of the individuals within the

community. The people carrying out the assessment may not be familiar with this myths, and

thus through the interviews, they may be in positions to establish essential information vital to

the evaluation. The interviews can be carried out at two levels. The first interview can be done

with the community leaders or individuals who from the nature of their work know the local

conditions as pertains to the social issue. The next levels involve the use of the individuals

representing many walks of life or the subject of the category getting assessed. These individuals

would be vital in the provision of the data that can be used in the assessment of the needs of the

individuals. Such people in the circumstance would be considered experts because of their direct

and authentic experience of the myths and misconceptions about HIV/AIDs and thus are vital for

the interviews.

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1. telephone, direct

questioning, and the

method can be done at

different levels from the

highly structured to the

open-ended format.

And how would you identify

who to call? [Kathryn

Sorensen]

2. the interviews.

A key informant in this case

would be a good case, but

how would you go about

selecting one? [Kathryn

Sorensen]

METHODS OF RESEARCH 4

Question 2

It is crucial that during the selection of the methods, people should use the research

methods that respect the confidentiality of the individuals. The topics such as myths and

misconceptions about HIV/AIDs require a high degree of sensitivity, and thus it is vital that the

individuals employ sensitivity to prevent the stigmatization that can get impacted on the parties

(Bernard & Bernard, 2012). I think that these need assessment techniques would be the most

appropriate for the social problem because they will employ the highest degree of confidentiality.

The use of the methods such as questionnaires does not allow individuals to mention the names

of the individuals. Instead, such methods enable the informants to provide the general view of

the circumstance and the needs they feel are appropriate to the individuals affected by the social

issue.

Besides, time is an essential element in research. I have the feeling that these methods are

appropriate for considering time. The processes such as interviews can get designed in a way that

they do not only allocate the time for the acquisition of the information but also advocate for the

research findings (Bowling, 2014). Also, through the direct interviews, the individuals have the

chance to educate or even persuade the people about the results and its significance and strive to

work on the solutions to the problem. Thus, the methods allow for scheduling that is an essential

aspect of consideration in the case.

Moreover, these methods or the techniques and the sources illustrated for the assessment

are more feasible and manageable to permit the collaboration or cross-checking of the

information on the needs of the individuals and this further proves the validity of the information

(Bowling, 2014). For instance, the data from the interviews can point out the specific group most

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1. require a high degree of

sensitivity,

In this particular case, it

would be critical! [Kathryn

Sorensen]

2. issue.

Would you also be

interviewing minors? What

considerations might be

necessary? [Kathryn

Sorensen]

METHODS OF RESEARCH 5

affected by the issue, and this would call for the remedial actions through aspects such as

counselling directed to such individuals.

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1. to such individuals.

If you were to do this

independently, how might you

recommend that the

community use this

information? [Kathryn

Sorensen]

METHODS OF RESEARCH 6

References

Bowling, A. (2014). Research methods in health: investigating health and health services.

McGraw-Hill Education (UK).

Bernard, H. R., & Bernard, H. R. (2012). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative

approaches. Sage.

Ervin, A. (2000). Applied Anthropology. Tools and Perspective for contemporary practice

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METHODS OF RESEARCH 7

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