I have had an
opportunity to review a slide deck covering the topic of quantitative research
and its basic principles. (Mamia, 2006) While the data
presented was interesting, the message was diminished by the quality of the
slides.
The
method is based on the idea that phenomena can be quantified, measured, and
expressed numerically. The classified
and transformed onto a data matrix. The matrix is the starting point for
analyzing the data. (slide11)
The
research and design process requires diligence and focus on the information to
collect. Of equal importance is deciding how the data will be collected.
Increasing the objectivity of the data should be a tenet of choosing the
collection method. The importance of choosing a proper research design cannot
be understated. Use of interviews, observations, or surveys, the time allowed
and the target population are some of the considerations that deserve strong
attention.
The variables and
observation units are collected and populate the boxes in the matrix. The
observation units are the people, groups, situations, or information that is
being studied. The variables represent data that is being measured to look for
trends. The table below is an example of a matrix about the number of times
subjects were distracted during a conversation with a researcher. The
information is fictional and only to be references for illustrative purposes.
|
Subject
->
|
One
|
Two
|
Three
|
Four
|
Five
|
Six
|
|
Situation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phone
on
|
15
|
21
|
13
|
24
|
16
|
8
|
|
Phone
off
|
3
|
6
|
4
|
6
|
10
|
1
|
In
looking at selecting the observation units, there may be times when the data
group is just too large to poll in its entirety. Use of sampling is warranted
in many cases and allows for a representative sample of the larger group to be
used. Care must be taken to determine accurate sampling.
The data can then be
reviewed and plotted on a chart. Once the plots are complete, analysis for
trends and relationships should be more easily recognized via the graphs. At
this point, if you have not been doing so already, it is time to ask if the
data you are collecting adequately addresses the question you hope to answer.
It may be time to refine the questions or the way in which the data is being
collected.
Quantitative
data analysis is an extremely useful tool in research. The use of graphs and
matrices can, at times, make the data look unsophisticated. However, though the
graphs may look simplistic, the amount of information can be of tremendous
depth. Given the capability of quantitative research to allow perspectives of
situations heretofore unconsidered, it needs to be properly prepared for and
executed. In other words, in both qualitative and quantitative research, the
phrase from the information technology world applies, “Garbage in, garbage
out.”
Interestingly
enough, one of the assignments for week seven was to look back over assignments
from week three and review the information presented. It occurred to me that I
was using both qualitative and quantitative methods in collecting and reviewing
the information. I’m glad to have had the opportunity to already apply what
we’re learning.
Mamia, T. (2006). Quantitative research
methods: General studies/ISSS.
No comments:
Post a Comment