ARO 8611, Summer 2005, Jeff Getchell, Page 1
Chapter 1, Question 2
Question
Take a topic that you would like to study, and, using the four combinations of knowledge claims, strategies of inquiry, and methods in figure 1.2, discuss how the topic might be studied using each of the combinations.
Response
Research topic: The reluctance of faculty to use Web-based technologies in traditional seat-based classrooms.
- Quantitative
This approach would begin with a narrowly focused hypothesis, such as “First-year faculty teaching entry-level mathematics courses are less inclined to use a Web-based component for teaching in the traditional classroom.” The study instrument would be a survey using a previously validated questionnaire to sample a cross-section of first-year mathematics faculty. The survey would measure attitudes of the faculty, with the purpose of obtaining statistical data.
- Qualitative-constructivist
This approach would begin with a research question relating to a group sharing a common area of interest. In this example, the hypothesis could be the same as in the Quantitative example above, but the research methodology would be based on field research rather than the use of a questionnaire. A study using qualitative-constructivist methods may have the researcher visiting the classrooms to observe classroom activities as they pertain to the study.
- Qualitative-interviewing
This approach would begin, once again, with a research question relating to a group sharing a common area of interest. This example would use a hypothesis similar to the previous two examples, however the research instrument would be a survey questionnaire using open-ended questions. Each participant would be interviewed at length regarding the issues and the results written in a narrative format.
- Mixed methods
This approach uses any combination of above methods to produce a hybrid type of study. This example would use a hypothesis similar to the previous examples listed above. However, the research instruments would be a combination of quantitative and qualitative surveys. The researcher may begin with a quantitative survey to measure attitudes on the subject. The researcher would then use this data to administer a qualitative questionnaire that would more deeply examine each issue using open-ended questions.
ARO 8611, Summer 2005, Jeff Getchell, Page 1
Chapter 2, Question 1
ARO 8611, Summer 2005, Jeff Getchell, Page 1
Chapter 3, Question 1
Question
Develop a topical outline for a quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods proposal. Include the major topics in the examples included in this chapter.
Response
- Introduction
- Statement of the problem (including existing literature)
- Nursing faculty are not using learning technologies to maximize the effectiveness of their teaching materials
- Purpose of the study
- To determine the reasons for inefficient and ineffective usage of learning technologies
- Research questions
- Is lack of appropriate faculty development a primary reason for avoidance of learning technologies in first-year nursing courses
- What are the primary attitudes towards Web-based learning technologies of nursing instructors teaching first year nursing courses
- Delimitations and limitations
- Nursing faculty teaching first-year nursing courses at state-funded community colleges
- Limitations
- The qualitative survey responses will not be generalizable to all nursing courses.
- Procedures
- Qualitative research strategy
- Use of previously validated survey instrument
- Role of the researcher
- Administer questionnaire
- Data collection procedures
- Administer survey during department meetings, mail outs, and Web-based through password protected, invitation-only.
- Open ended questions
- Data analysis procedures
- Analysis will be done using previously validated survey instrument method
- Strategies for validating findings
- The survey instrument has been in use for a number of past surveys and has been validated.
- Accuracy will be done by use of passwords for Web-based responses and visual authentication during face-to-face administration of the survey
- Anticipated ethical issues
- Human subject interviewing (IRB support)
- Possible subjective interpretation of results could skew findings
- Significance of study
- Little work has been done in the first year classrooms of nursing programs dealing with learning technologies
- Preliminary pilot findings
- Pilot findings indicate that a lack of faculty development leads to limited comfort levels with learning technologies, thus leading to a limited use of such technologies in the classroom
- Expected outcomes
- Lack of faculty development
- Little incentive
- Little administrative support
- Appendices
- Interview questions
- Timeline
- Proposed budget
- IRB approval process
- Survey Web site
Ethical Considerations
The topic of interest in this study deals with the lack of use of learning technologies in the classrooms of nursing faculty for first-year nursing courses. The choice of survey instrument is qualitative, with open-ended questions being used to determine the exact reasons why nursing faculty may be hesitant to use learning technologies.
The use of open-ended questions will always add an element of difficulty to surveys for a number of reasons:
- Data may be interpreted differently depending on the research assistant doing the interviewing
- Follow-up questions can differ depending on the research assistant.
- Initial and follow-up questions can place the participant at risk of embarrassing or otherwise improper situations.
Research plans need to be reviewed by the applicable Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the researcher. IRB review will provide the proper analysis of the research plan to minimize the amount of risk for research subjects. IRB review, when combined with an appropriate informed consent form signed by each participant, will protect the researcher and institution from risk.
Ethical issues can crop up in the research problem statement. Improperly worded problem statements may leave out the subjects that will be the intended target of study. To minimize the possibility of this happening, the use of a pilot project can be done to create an atmosphere of trust between the researcher and the participants.
Data collection issues will provide a wealth of ethical challenges for the researcher and research subjects.
- Permission of authority figures is required to provide access to some test subjects. Permission may be limited to a properly worded letter or may require a personal visit to explain the purpose of the study.
- Participants must not be coerced into participating by authority figures
- Information either harmful or embarrassing to participants must be protected from public accessibility by using lockable cabinets and computer passwords.
Data analysis and interpretation also provides a multitude of ethical issues that may include:
- Protection of the identities of the participants
- The misappropriation of research data by other researchers for use in other studies
- Ownership of data can also create problems between team members or between a researcher and the employing institution. Agreements need to be worked out prior to the start of any new project.
Finally, the final research report can create additional ethical issues for the authors or employing agencies.
- The use of unbiased wording is crucial so that all interest groups are treated fairly.
- The skewing of data to lean research findings in a particular direction can create an additional hurdle.
- Researchers may want to consider releasing the research design for analysis by readers to deem whether an appropriate study was done.
Ethical issues are present during every step of a research project. The use of a logically planned research proposal that addresses all possible ethical issues during each phase of the project will help in protecting all parties, the researcher, the subjects, and the institution, from issues that may crop up at any time. In addition, a thorough review by the employing institution’s IRB committee will assist the researcher in keeping the study ethically sound.