Quantitative Method Assignment

Quantitative Methods Assignment

Due 4/22/2020 at 11:59pm

Choice

For this assignment you have two choices. You can either propose a survey design or describe how you would use secondary data analysis to answer your question. Note that if you choose the secondary data option, you are not expected to discuss the actual analysis. However, you should only choose the secondary data option if you can find a database that includes your variables of interest. You cannot pretend one exists.

SECONDARY DATA ANALYSIS OPTION

Part 1

You will describe how you would use secondary data to answer your research question. In your essay, you will write – in detail – how you would utilize secondary data. Anyone reading the paper should be able to go to the source you specify, find those variables, and re-analyze those data.

The details in this paper will include:

· A summary of the secondary data source that you will use, including information about their sample and their methodology. You need to write this in your own words.

· Identification of the independent and dependent variables, including how they were operationalized in the research.

· Support for why those variables address your research question.

Note: Sometimes a data set will not have the exact information you need, but you can be creative about it. You can also potentially combine data. For example, let’s say that you were studying recidivism. You want to report the percentage of people who commit any crime. The dataset includes recidivism as “whether the person was arrested again for…” then individual crimes are listed. For example, there is a column for theft, one for robbery, etc. You would just say that you would classify recidivism as a yes in any of those columns.

Part 2

Answer the following four questions:

1. How did you validate the secondary data source for the purposes of this question?

2. Where in the codebook did you find the information you utilized (include page numbers of copy and paste that text, meaning include the actual questions and answer options)

3. What are some concerns about internal validity in this study? List at least three concerns (there are always concern) using the internal validity modules.

4. Can this secondary data analysis establish temporal precedence? Why or why not?

SURVEY OPTION

Part 1

You will describe how you would use a survey method to answer your research question. Notably, you might still use an experimental or quasi-experimental design here. Our concern now is on sampling, the survey instrument, and the survey procedure. You will emphasize those in this paper.

In your paper, you write –in detail –the step by step instructions for sampling, recruiting, and distributing a written questionnaire or an interview. Your questionnaire should focus on quantitative information (that can include nominal levels of measurement) rather than wide open-ended questions. You must include the survey instrument or interview questions/answers and procedures. Do not just write down the questions—make the survey look professional.

Note: You are allowed to create a survey using software, such as SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, or Microsoft Forms. You would want to save the survey as a PDF file (you can print as PDF) and link to the survey. You can also write the survey in Word.

Your final paper will include:

· The sample and sampling procedure (think about external validity)

· Identification of the independent and dependent variables in the questionnaire.

· A discussion of how you would recruit, and how you would distribute the survey or would conduct the interview. Essentially, the who, what, when, and where stuff.

· A professional copy of the survey instrument or interview questions, following the guidance from the relevant modules.

· Remember that the survey needs to include more than just questions. You should include instructions, concluding remarks, etc.

The survey will need at least ten questions, but you do not need to formally write out any demographics questions unless they are critical to your research question. Any demographics questions not critical to your research question do not count toward your ten questions. You might just note that you would ask a series of demographics questions including age, gender, race, etc. Tell us where they would be placed.

Part 2

Answer the following four questions:

1. Why did you choose the sample and sampling procedure in question for this study?

2. Why did you choose the particular survey method/format?

3. What are some concerns about internal validity in this study? List at least three concerns (there are always concerns with surveys) using the internal validity modules.

4. Can your design establish temporal precedence? Why or why not?