Category: Activity 6.4

LDRS 591 Activity 6.4

Unit 6 Learning Activities

As a consumer of research reports the most important thing for me in a high quality qualitative research report are participants and data collection.

Participants. Since sample sizes in qualitative studies are typically smaller, and data collection is more intensive, participant selection is very vital to the validity of the process. The researchers must explain their reasons for chosing to study the participants and have a justification for their sample size and sampling strategy. Since participant responses in qualitative studies are subjective, I like to see that participant selection was unbiased, and preferably without employer involvement. I understand it might not always be possible for an employer to be totally “blind” to their employees’ participation, I think employee responses could be inaccurate if they were wary of employer response. I would like to see an explanation from the researchers how this was addressed.

Data collection. As I understand the qualitative research process better , I learn that qualitative studies can evolve along the way. The researchers keep an open mind and so must the reader. It is the researchers’ responsibility to explain their rationale for making the changes they did. Explanation by the researchers that detailed audio notes , and transcriptions were taken and referred to, along with field notes, elicits trust in their process. The researchers might have to create new data collection tools during the course of the study as it progresses. I would like to see the rationale behind the creation of these new tools, and attempts made by researchers to ensure the reader of the accuracy and importance of the new tools. 

As an end note, I will say that I agree with Layla when she says that understanding the research design adopted in the study is important for the reader to best understand the study. Ideally, I would like it if the researchers would name the research design in their methods section.

Question: Since the qualitative process is ‘explorative’ and ‘evolves’ along the way, the results could be interpreted in different ways. Since the reader doesn’t always have access to the analysis tools or programs used by the researchers, how does the reader reconcile their interpretation with that of the researchers? Seems like trust in the researchers is an important element to the consumer of qualitative research.

Reference

Plano-Clark, V., & Creswell, J. (2015). Understanding research: A consumer’s guide (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

LDSR 591 Activity 6.4

Unit 6 Learning Activities

As a consumer of research reports the most important thing for me in the methods and results section of a high quality research report is participants and data collection.

Participants: Once the researchers have identified the central phenomenon and research design, their choice of sample is very important. As per Plano-Clark and Creswell (2015, p. 332), the sample is composed of the site and the participants. Since a qualitative study is explorative, it is vital that the participants that are selected are those who can help the researchers explore the topic by providing unbiased and in-depth answers/ discussions as per the research design. The researcher more often than not applies purposeful sampling to enroll “information-rich” participants, whose meaningful responses to data collection will help the researchers explore their research topic. (Plano-Clark & Creswell, 2015, p. 332). Before data are collected it is very important for me to know what enrolling procedures were employed by the researchers: whether participation in the study was truly voluntary or if it was obtained via the employer, were the participants assured confidentiality, whether compensation to employees was offered by employer or researchers and if it could potentially introduce bias, were ethical issues identified and addressed, what kind of ethical oversight was envisioned and/or applied.

Data collection: In my view data are the most important element of any study. Methods of collection of data should be clearly outlined in the methods selection. The rationale for choosing the data collection methods and procedures should also be clear to the reader. The data should ideally be collected using multiple methods. It also helps the  reader understand the study better if the researchers mention the challenges that they came across during data collection, and any changes they had to make to the study as a result.

All the elements in the methods and results section of a research report are important.  Understandably, the primary interest of any reader is in finding out what the results of the study are and how they are applicable to us. But for the results to be deemed useful and valid, they have to be backed by credible data collection and analysis. As a consumer of research reports, I make a decision regarding the credibility of a study first and foremost based on the focus on selection of appropriate participants and rigorous data collection.

Question: I will admit that because of my limited knowledge of statistics, I usually skim over the data analysis section, and go straight to results and discussion. Is this bad scholarly practice?

After reading the chapter on data analysis I do feel slightly more confident in tackling it henceforth.

Reference

Plano-Clark, V., Creswell, J. (2015). Understanding research: A consumer’s guide. (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.