Part A
Plano Clark and Creswell (2015)
For this week’s blog post and analysis, I chose a different article.
Hunter, E. M., Neubert, M. J., Perry, S. J., Witt, L. A., Penny, L. M., & Weinberger, E. (2013). Servant leaders inspire servant followers: Antecedents and outcomes for employees and the organization. Leadership Quarterly, 24(2), 316-331.
The link to the article is here
Evaluation of the Research Design:
Plano Clark and Creswell (2015)
Part B
Evaluation of the Participants and Data Collection Procedures
Plano Clark and Creswell (2015)
Part C
Evaluation of the Data Analysis and Results
Plano Clark and Creswell (2015)
Part D
As a consumer of research reports, the most important aspects I need to consider in the methods and results section of a high quality quantitative research report are:
- Asking whether or not the selection of participants, the data collection and data analysis procedures are rigorous and if they fit the study’s design purpose. (Plano Clark & Creswell, 2015)
- Asking whether or not the participants have been treated ethically
- Asking whether or not the sample of participants is large enough
- Asking whether the results provide an explanation to the problem(s) being researched
Google Images
I find the analysis of data and the tables in quantitative reports difficult to interpret. This is most likely due to the fact that I have never taken statistics and majored in the Arts as opposed to Science. I don’t have any experience with the reading or analyzing of them other than what I have read in Plano Clark and Creswell (2015) and what has been discussed during this course. It is like trying to learn a whole different language to be honest! I struggled with interpreting the data presented in my article and trying to determine whether or not the data collected met the criteria for a high quality research report or not. The data made my head spin and I had to keep pushing myself to go back and examine it while referring continuously to Plano Clark and Creswell (2015) to try and break it down.
I can apply this knowledge to my current leadership experience if I ever wish to examine in more detail statistical data collected on specific educational questions that require an explanation.
Question for the Group: Out of curiosity, and this may seem like a silly question, but how much do you think your current position and your background education play into your preference for either Quantitative or Qualitative research? Do you think either of those things even play a role or is it solely dependent upon what you are currently trying to achieve (either an explanation or further exploration)?
Please note that all tables used in this blog post have been referenced from Plano Clark and Creswell (2015).
References
Hunter, E. M., Neubert, M. J., Perry, S. J., Witt, L. A., Penny, L. M., & Weinberger, E. (2013). Servant leaders inspire servant followers: Antecedents and outcomes for employees and the organization. Leadership Quarterly, 24(2), 316-331.
Plano-Clark, V. & Creswell, J. (2015). Understanding research: A consumer’s guide. (2nd Ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Hi,
I would like to think that personality can be added to the variables you provided. Highly pragmatic individuals may tend to like quantitative study more than thinkers.
Considering the Birkman report, I will argue that people on the yellow and red quadrants are more likely to prefer quantitative study, meanwhile individuals on the green and blue quadrant may found more joy in qualitative study.
Having said that, I believe people can grow in the appreciation of both types, if they have the passion.
Thank you for your response.
I know that the data analysis/results section of a quantitative research report can be like reading and understanding a new language. This is a valid point. Several other learners have commented that to truly understand the statistics in a report like this you would need to have a full course in quantitative statistics and research design. I would agree with this as well. Keep in mind as you journey through these research reports that this course is helping you to become a more critical consumer of research and not an expert. I do see evidence of your development as a critical consumer of research.
Here are a few clarifying points in regard to your evaluation above:
– The research design in the study you chose was a cross-sectional design. Data was collected at a single time point and was not analyzed for trends, but for relationships among the variables.
– You provided some great critical evaluation regarding the sample size, and data collection procedures.
– You have posed a great question for your colleagues. I look forward to reading their responses.
Dr. Strong
Thank you for your kind and encouraging feedback Dr. Strong! It is always appreciated!I am learning a tremendous amount in this course and I am grateful for the opportunity. I have a much deeper appreciation for quantitative research than I ever have before! 🙂
We are all learning! I would consider myself a ‘science girl’ by training and the current career I have. That being said, I certainly learned a lot more about some of the statistics presented in Plano-Clark this week. It was a deeper dive than anticipated. I have a greater appreciation for qualitative studies and am looking forward to learning more this week.