Learning activity 5.4-Unit 5
As a consumer of research reports, the most important thing(s) for me in the methods and results section of a high-quality quantitative research report is/ are…
Research process it’s the first significant element to consider, what I meant by that is, research problem, a literature review related to the problem. Specifying a purpose, then choosing a research design that will process all your variables. I believe literature review plays a prescriptive role in making a decision.
A research design is an essential step in the process of conducting research. To make a right decision on what plan; participants, sample size, time of collection are crucial. The intent of the study, the use of manipulation, any specific procedure needed to make a decision. The variables of interest to be studied participate in choosing the statistical technique and instrument to be used. Keep in mind the reliable and valid result engage in interpreting the results that answer your research question.
The use of descriptive statistics to describe the variables as a first step in the process has an essential value to input towards the next level. Inferential statistics make the variables inferred to a population to may make a generalization and answer the research question.
Discussion question
How do you predict if the selected method and statistical technique will pronounce the statistically meaningful answer to your research question?
Reference
Plano-Clark, V., & Creswell, J. (2015). Understanding research: A consumer’s guide (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Hi Wafa,
The best way that you can choose a statistical approach to answer your research question is to use a table like the one on page 266 and 267 in the Plano-Clark and Creswell text. For quantitative research studies you are really looking for only two things 1) differences between variables or 2) relationships between variables. Once you have determined if you are looking for a difference or a relationship you can then determine (based on information in the table) what statistical tests you will use. Let me know if this helps clarify your question.
Dr. Strong
Thank you, Dr. Strong, for supporting my thought, I was guided through learning activity 5.2 and 5.3 by using the tables on page 266 and page 267 in Plano-Clerk & Creswell text. So in the article that I chose, and to a certain extent, they have different names for the tools they used. I related the information to what they provided; I searched the name of the tools they used and correlate the numbers with their interpretation to have a better understanding of their results. Do the researchers lose credit if they don’t follow exact criteria listed in the Plano-Clerk & Creswell. Is this what I should consider if I have to experience something like that especially when I have to review literature.
Thank you