Essay Sample on Research Methods

Evaluating the Alignment Between Data Collection and the Problem

The evaluation of the alignment between the data collection method and the research problem. One of the ways of evaluating whether the data collection methods are aligned with the problem is examining if the problem statement is well-authored. There are six attributes which every good problem statement should have. One of these attributes is that the problem should be interesting to the researcher (Terrell, 2015). A researcher will only be able to complete a study if he or she is interested in it. Another characteristic of a well-written problem statement is that the problem statement should be capable of being investigated through data collection and analysis of the collected data (Terrell, 2015). This attribute of a good problem statement is related to the data collection methods because unless the problem statement is written in a way that data can be collected and analyzed to address it, it cannot be researchable. Consequently, the alignment of the data collection techniques and the problem statement can be determined by looking at the variables that are associated with the problem.

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Thomas, Nelson, and Silverman (2015) and Boswell and Cannon (2018) emphasized that a good problem statement should identify the variables that will be explored in the study. These variables include the independent or the predictor variable, the dependent (outcome) variable, and the categorical variables for quasi-experimental and experimental studies (Godshall, 2015; Thomas et al., 2016). Also, control variables should be identifiable in the problem statement. Consequently, the absence of explicitly stated variables in the problem statement depicts the lack of alignment between the problem and the data collection. If the variables are explicitly stated in a study, the alignment between the data collection techniques and the problem can be determined by checking whether the data collection instruments used in data collection are appropriate for collecting data on the variables associated with the problem of the study.

Evaluating the Alignment Between Data Collection and the Purpose of the Study

Evaluation of the alignment between data collection and the purpose of the study can be carried out by examining whether the purpose is well-authored. According to Heath (2018), a well-written purpose statement should have the independent and dependent variables of the study. Because of this, the absence of the variables in the purpose statement denotes the absence of alignment between the purpose and the data collection methods. On the other hand, if the variables are easily identifiable in the purpose statement, the alignment between the data collection techniques and the purpose can be determined by checking whether the data collection instruments are suitable for gathering data on the variables identified in the purpose statement.

Evaluating the Alignment Between Data Collection and Research Questions

The alignment between data collection and the research questions can be evaluated by checking whether all the variables that are present in the research questions have been captured by the data collection instruments. According to Ary, Jacobs, Irvine, and Walker (2018), a well-authored research question should have explicitly stated variables of the study. Consequently, the absence of the variables in the purpose statement shows misalignment between the purpose and the data collection methods. Conversely, the presence of the variables in the research questions which are adequately addressed by the data collection instruments indicates that alignment exists between data collection and the research questions.

Evaluating the Alignment Between Data Collection Design

To determine whether there is an alignment between data collection and research design can be determined by examining whether the researcher has utilized a data collection instrument that is appropriate for the research design used. For instance, in the case of quantitative research design, a researcher should use quantitative data collection instruments such as questionnaires and standardized measuring instruments (Gray, 2016). For example, if a researcher uses qualitative data collection instruments such as interviews (Yin, 2015) and observation (Flick, 2017) for quantitative research design, e.g., cross-sectional research design (Bryman, 2016), then there is misalignment between data collection and design.

Reflecting on the course content, discuss the extent to which your newly acquired research knowledge and skills can support your role as an agent of positive social change

I want to keep the legacy of my university is a leader in positive social change by utilizing the knowledge gained in the course to bring about positive social change in my society. I am particularly interested in investigating the issue of addressing the increasing mental health problem issue among the youth in my community. I will utilize my research skills to identify the best approach needed to tackle the problem. For instance, I will search the scholarly peer-reviewed literature for evidence-based practices required to address the problem of mental health problem among the youth. I will use only peer-reviewed empirical or primary studies in looking evidence-based interventions to address the problem. After identifying the articles, I will utilize article critique knowledge and skills acquired in the course to ensure that only high-quality articles are chosen and their findings used as a basis for intervention.

References

Ary, D., Jacobs, L. C., Irvine, C. K. S., & Walker, D. (2018). Introduction to research in education. Cengage Learning.

Boswell, C., & Cannon, S. (2018). Introduction to nursing research. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods. Oxford University Press.

Flick, U. (2017). The sage handbook of qualitative data collection. SAGE Publications.

Godshall, M. (2015). Fast facts for evidence-based practice in nursing, second edition: implementing ebp in a nutshell. Springer Publishing Company.

Gray, D. E. (2016). Doing research in the business world. SAGE Publications.

Heath, W. (2018). Psychology research methods: connecting research to students' lives. Cambridge University Press.

Terrell, S. R. (2015). Writing a proposal for your dissertation: guidelines and examples. Guilford Publications.

Thomas, J. R., Nelson, J. K., & Silverman, S. J. (2018). Research methods in physical activity. Human Kinetics.

Yin, R. K. (2015). Qualitative research from start to finish, second edition. Guilford Publications.