Brent Research Assignment
Brent Research Assignment
Brent Research Assignment
Observational Method
With the observational method (sometimes referred to as field observation)
animal and human behavior is closely observed. There are two main categories
of the observational method — naturalistic observation and laboratory
observation.
The biggest advantage of the naturalistic method of research is that researchers
view participants in their natural environments. This leads to greater ecological
validity than laboratory observation, proponents say.
Ecological validity refers to the extent to which research can be used in real-life
situations.
Proponents of laboratory observation often suggest that due to more control in
the laboratory, the results found when using laboratory observation are more
meaningful than those obtained with naturalistic observation.
Laboratory observations are usually less time-consuming and cheaper than
naturalistic observations. Of course, both naturalistic and laboratory observation
are important in regard to the advancement of scientific knowledge.
In addition to the methods listed above some individuals also include qualitative
(as a distinct method) and archival methods when discussing descriptive
research methods.
Difference
One of the goals of science is description (other goals include prediction and
explanation). Descriptive research methods are pretty much as they sound —
they describe situations. They do not make accurate predictions, and they do not
determine cause and effect.
There are three main types of descriptive methods: observational methods, case-
study methods and survey methods. This article will briefly describe each of
these methods, their advantages, and their drawbacks. This may help you better
understand research findings, whether reported in the mainstream media, or
when reading a research study on your own.
3.) Enumerate and explain the (7) types of Descriptive
Research
Probability Sampling
This Sampling technique uses randomization to make sure that every element
of the population gets an equal chance to be part of the selected sample. It’s
alternatively known as random sampling.
Non-Probability Sampling
It does not rely on randomization. This technique is more reliant on the
researcher’s ability to select elements for a sample. Outcome of sampling
might be biased and makes difficult for all the elements of population to be
part of the sample equally. This type of sampling is also known as non-
random sampling.
Stratified Sampling
This technique divides the elements of the population into small subgroups
(strata) based on the similarity in such a way that the elements within the
group are homogeneous and heterogeneous among the other subgroups
formed. And then the elements are randomly selected from each of these
strata. We need to have prior information about the population to create
subgroups.
Cluster Sampling
Our entire population is divided into clusters or sections and then the clusters
are randomly selected. All the elements of the cluster are used for sampling.
Clusters are identified using details such as age, sex, location etc.
Cluster sampling can be done in following ways:
• Single Stage Cluster Sampling
Multi-Stage Sampling
It is the combination of one or more methods described above.
Population is divided into multiple clusters and then these clusters are further divided
and grouped into various sub groups (strata) based on similarity. One or more clusters
can be randomly selected from each stratum. This process continues until the cluster
can’t be divided anymore. For example country can be divided into states, cities, urban
and rural and all the areas with similar characteristics can be merged together to form a
strata.
For example: It’s used in situations of highly sensitive topics like HIV Aids where people
will not openly discuss and participate in surveys to share information about HIV Aids.\
Comparison Chart
Margin of Error
The margin of error expresses the maximum expected difference between the true
population parameter and a sample estimate of that parameter. To be meaningful, the
margin of error should be qualified by a probability statement (often expressed in the
form of a confidence level).
For example, a pollster might report that 50% of voters will choose the Democratic
candidate. To indicate the quality of the survey result, the pollster might add that the
margin of error is +5%, with a confidence level of 90%. This means that if the survey
were repeated many times with different samples, the true percentage of Democratic
voters would fall within the margin of error 90% of the time.
A sample is simply a subset of the population. The concept of sample arises from the
inability of the researchers to test all the individuals in a given population. The sample
must be representative of the population from which it was drawn and it must have good
size to warrant statistical analysis.
The CI is a range of values, above and below a finding, in which the actual value is
likely to fall. The confidence interval represents the accuracy or precision of an
estimate.
Error tolerance is the design of things to be resilient to human error. The term is
applied to user interfaces that are difficult to get wrong. When a human error does
occur, error-tolerant designs gracefully detect and handle it.
Quota Sampling
Quota sampling is a non-probability sampling technique wherein the
researcher ensures equal or proportionate representation of subjects
depending on which trait is considered as basis of the quota.
For example, if basis of the quota is college year level and the researcher
needs equal representation, with a sample size of 100, he must select 25 1st
year students, another 25 2nd year students, 25 3rd year and 25 4th year
students. The bases of the quota are usually age, gender, education, race,
religion and socioeconomic status.
Judgmental Sampling
Snowball Sampling
Snowball sampling is usually done when there is a very small population size.
In this type of sampling, the researcher asks the initial subject to identify
another potential subject who also meets the criteria of the research. The
downside of using a snowball sample is that it is hardly representative of the
population.
3. Research instruments are data collection tools for measuring the thing
you are interested in.
11.) Look for atleast 3 examples of Data Gathering
Procedure part of Research
Data Mining
this procedure is simple. You can easily find many resource materials where
data and numerical figures are already tallied and presented. Usually, you
can find data among research institutions and academic centers. Data mining
is simply using an already published set of data.
Interviewing
is another example of a data gathering procedure. One benefit that you can
get from this process is that you can actually gather raw and reliable data
direct from your subjects. Although it is time consuming, you can still have
very credible result from this data gathering procedure.
Surveying
Data sources
Data collection was done through both secondary and primary sources.
Primary data sources included key informants for each case study.
Secondary data sources mainly covered government publications, technical
document, and annual reports of the companies. Valuable insight was also
gained from the analysis of research studies conducted by the National ICT
Policy Commission (CPI) on ICT projects in the country. Secondary data
covered different sources and provided an essential preparation for the
interviews. Secondary data helped to cross-check official information, learn
about major events, technical details, historical decisions and main
organisational players and roles. They also supported the exploring of
particular responses during interviews.
Mitev (2000a, 2000b), and Silva and Backhouse (1997) have illustrated
through the Socrate and London Ambulance Services case studies the
benefit of examining written secondary sources as research material, which
provides a multitude of interpretations. For this study it was possible to
conduct the data collection and analysis in an iterative manner.
Data Sources:
The secondary data is based on time series data i.e. between 1975 to 2010
published from IEA via internet, WBR via internet, Energy Agency,
International Energy Statistics, CSO data, Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy (MNRE) annual reports, Bureau of Energy efficiency (BEE),
Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited(KREDL), Economic
survey of India and Karnataka, Plan documents of India.
Research Locale
The study was conducted at the Lyceum of the Philippines UniversityCavite
Campus since the chosen respondents are students of the University
Research Locale
The study was conducted at Far Eastern University, this place was selected
for knowing the efficiency of the said study among nursing students and for
them to feel comfortable, this study was been implemented on the 4th yr.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing students, these study has tested the
effectiveness of music therapy while reviewing their lessons before taking
their exams this study helped researchers found out how effective it is for
students in a classroom to memorize their lessons easily, researchers had
also identified the effectiveness while listening to music when the participants
had this activity at the same place, this had also enabled the researchers to
know if music therapy can help the students remember what they are
studying or reviewing at the same place. The research study was
implemented inside the classroom of Far Eastern University, the classroom
was clean, well-ventilated, air-conditioned and had enough chairs for every
students who participated with the activity.
Statistical Treatment for Data Responses to the questionnaire by senior high school
students were statistically analyzed with the data requirements of the study. Students
were statistically analysed with the data instruments of the study. Descriptive statistics
such as frequency count, mean, percent and rank are considered. To know if there is a
correlation between the independent and dependent variables Pearson Product
Moment of Correlation Coefficient was utilized with 0.05 level of significance.
15.) Identify & give atleast (3) examples of getting the
a) Mean
b) Median
c) Mode
DEFINITION OF MEAN
The mean is the average of the numbers: a calculated "central" value of a set of
numbers.
To calculate it: add up all the numbers, then divide by how many numbers there are.
Example:
What is the mean of 2, 7 and 9?
So the Mean is 6
DEFINITION OF MEDIAN
MEDIAN -The middle number (in a sorted list of numbers).
To find the Median, place the numbers you are given in value order and find the middle
number.
Example: find the Median of {13, 23, 11, 16, 15, 10, 26}.
Put them in order: {10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 23, 26}
DEFINITION OF MODE
MODE- The number which appears most often in a set of numbers.