R4S1

CLASSMATE 1

Hello everyone, 

The two most commonly used statistical methods in data analysis are descriptive statistics and correlation statistics.

A descriptive statistic refers to the analysis of a set of data to summarize and describe its characteristics. This analysis emphasizes central tendency (mean, median, mode), variability (range, standard deviation), and distribution (skewness, kurtosis). A descriptive statistic serves to summarize data in a way that is easy to understand and interpret. Furthermore, it can be used to identify patterns and trends in the data as well as present it in a clear and concise manner (Hayes, 2023).

Correlation, on the other hand, refers to the statistical relationship between two or more variables. A correlation coefficient measures the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables. There are three types of correlations: positive, negative, and zero. A positive correlation means that as one variable increases, the other variable also increases. A negative correlation means that as one variable increases, the other variable decreases. Correlations of zero indicate that there is no relationship between the variables. The correlation coefficient can be used to determine the strength of a relationship between variables and to predict future outcomes (The BMJ, 2019).

Qualitative research is a method of understanding social phenomena through the collection and analysis of non-numerical data. This type of study involves studying people in their natural environment and focusing on the subjective meanings and experiences that individuals attach to their everyday lives. There are a number of qualitative research methods that can be used, including interviews, focus groups, ethnography, and case studies. Additionally, qualitative research can be used to generate hypotheses and theories, since it allows researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of the perspectives and experiences of individuals and groups (Subject and Course Guides: Quantitative and Qualitative Research: Understand What Qualitative Research Is, 2019).

 

Experimental research:

Advantages:

1. Researchers have greater control over variables in experimental research. As a result, results are more accurate.

2. A causal relationship between two variables is best established through experimental research.

Disadvantages:

1. A significant amount of time and money may be spent on experimental research.

2. There may be limitations to the generalizability of experimental research to other populations and situations.

 

Non-experimental research:

Advantages:

1. The results of non-experimental research are often validated in real-world settings, which increases their external validity.

2. Non-experimental research is often more cost-effective than experimental research.

Disadvantages:

1. There is no control over variables in non-experimental research, which may affect the accuracy of the results.

2. It is impossible to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables using non-experimental research as effectively as experimental research.

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As a result of my knowledge of research design and application, I have gained a deeper understanding of both theoretical concepts and practical methodologies used in research. The chapters cover research design and application in order to provide a deeper understanding of the subject matter. By participating in assignments and discussions, I gained an understanding of how research design is applied in practice. I also gained insight into using the skills and expertise of experienced researchers in the discussion and subject matter of my assignment by collaborating with my peers and their research in the assignment requirements.

 

References

Hayes, A. (2023, March 21). Descriptive Statistics. Investopedia.  https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/descriptive_statistics.aspLinks to an external site.

Subject and Course Guides: Quantitative and Qualitative Research: Understand What Qualitative Research Is. (2019). Uta.edu. https://libguides.uta.edu/quantitative_and_qualitative_research/qual

‌ The BMJ. (2019). 11. Correlation and Regression | the BMJ. Bmj.com. https://www.bmj.com/about-bmj/resources-readers/publications/statistics-square-one/11-correlation-and-regression

CLASSMATE 2

-Descriptive research is used when the researcher looks to obtain data on the characteristics of a population. Data obtained from the selected population being studied is used to answer questions such as how, when, and what. This type of research method does not provide an answer to why a certain event occurs or the causes of it. Researchers are able to use this method to examine the correlation of variables. The descriptive method helps formulate hypotheses that can be further examined (www.researchconnections.org). -Correlational research is a research method that is non-experimental and is used to measure the statistical correlation between variables. External variables are not controlled when the study is examining the correlation between variables. Researchers implement this type of research method because they believe there is no causal relationship between the variables, they are not interested in the variable's causal relationship, to describe data, and to make predictions. Researchers also use this method if they believe there is a casual relationship between the variables (Paul & R.S.J., 2017).

-Qualitative research is known to be an idealistic and humanistic approach to research. Qualitative research sets out to understand experiences, beliefs, interactions, and behavior. The data that can be gathered by qualitative research method is not obtainable by measuring variables. Researchers can implement this research method to better understand why teens smoke cigarettes. By asking a series of questions, the researcher can gain a better understanding of why they smoke. By doing this, a researcher can come up with suggestions to help prevent or reduce the number of teen smokers (Pathak, et al., 2013).

-Experimental advantages and disadvantages:  The advantages of experimental research include the ability to have a highly controlled study. Experimental research can be combined with other methods, it helps determine cause and effect, it can be applied to multiple areas and situations, provides a specific conclusion, the results of the study can be replicated, and the replication of a natural setting can be done at a faster pace.Experimental research has its advantages, but it also has its disadvantages. The disadvantages include human error affecting the results, too much control of the test environment, it can be expensive, create unrealistic situations, can be time consuming, problems with a variable control can arise (Gaille, 2017).

-Non-experimental research advantages and disadvantages:

With non-experimental research, the advantage includes the ability to possibly obtain quick results, is less expensive to conduct, there is no time effects or recall bias, and it is based on real-life information.

The disadvantages include residual confounding that is observed and unobserved, does not provide a result with in depth data, and a clear correlation between variables (Chew, 2019).

Course overview:

This course has helped me brush up on the research concepts and methods studied in a previous undergrad course. Research is part of academics and studying criminal justice for my undergrad has given me the basic knowledge of conducting academic research. Revisiting the concepts and methods of research in this course has helped reinforce my knowledge in this area to be better conduct research studies professionally. The assignments in the course have helped me better analyze and breakdown research studies at a higher level.

 

References:

-Chew, B.-H. (2019, February 20). Planning and conducting clinical research: The whole process. Cureus. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6476607/

-Child care and early education research connections. Descriptive Research Studies | Research Connections. (n.d.-a). https://www.researchconnections.org/research-tools/study-design-and-analysis/descriptive-research-studies

-Gaille, L. (2019, December 16). 16 advantages and disadvantages of experimental research. Vittana.org. https://vittana.org/16-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-experimental-research

-Paul C. Price, R. S. J. (2017a, August 21). Research methods in psychology. https://opentext.wsu.edu/carriecuttler/chapter/correlational-research/

-Pathak, V., Jena, B., & Kalra, S. (2013, July). Qualitative research. Perspectives in clinical research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3757586/