Morehead state university iet 698 Research Methods Technology

Session 9

In the face-to-face interview it is possible to record more than the verbal responses of the interviewee, which are often superficial. When human beings communicate directly with each other much more information is communicated between them. When two people face one another, the dialogue is conducted on several levels. It goes beyond verbal expression. The nature of words used, facial expressions and body language all communicate what the other party means.

To a greater extent, telephone interviewing has potential in surveys of businesses, government agencies and other organizations or institutions. Even then, it is still the case that telephone surveys are rarely without bias. Whilst it is true that many businesses have a telephone, small businesses and even medium-sized enterprises are far less likely to have access to telephones.

•in person –r the researcher can ask the respondents to deposit completed surveys in a designated location (a drop-box, for example)

•through the mail (preferably including a pre-addressed, stamped envelope for return) – such questionnaires can be directly mailed to potential respondents, or picked up by potential respondents at a specific location;

•online – questionnaire completion can be conducted through email or direction to a particular website

Care must be taken in identifying the target population when considering a self-administered questionnaire, as this method requires literacy and potentially computer/online access on the part of the respondents (FAO Corporation, 2013).

FAO Corporation. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/docrep/W3241E/w3241e06.htm

How do environmental factors affect response rates in personal interviews? How can we overcome these environmental problems?

Environmental factors play a major role in a person’s level of honestly and even their willingness to answer the questions in the first place. If it is a telephone interview timing a major factor. The call must be made on a weekend or in the evenings because people work during the week and would be reluctant to take their time to answer the questions. If it is a personal interview a major factor would be the environment the interview will take place in and the charisma of the interviewer. For example, in a mall when a salesmen tries to offer someone a good deal on a new phone, that person is likely to walk right past that salesmen unless he can engage them in a informal conversation.

Please review attached document and DISCUSS the Qualitative Research. This document is chapter 8 of Cooper Text.

♦&νβσπ;Quantitative research attempts precise measurement of something.

– In marketing research, it usually measures consumer behavior, knowledge, opinions, or attitudes.

– It is used to answer questions related to how much, how often, how many, when, and who.

– The survey is not the only methodology of the quantitative researcher, but it is a dominant one.

– Is often used for theory testing (Will a $1-off instant coupon generate more sales for Kellogg’s Special K?), requiring that the researcher maintain a distance from the research so as not to bias the results.

– The researcher who interprets the data and draws conclusions from it is rarely the data collector and often has no contact at all with the participant.

– Identical data are desired from all participants, so evolution of methodology is not acceptable.

– Data often consist of participant responses that are coded, categorized, and reduced to numbers so that these data may be manipulated for statistical analysis.

– One objective is the quantitative tally of events or opinions, called frequency of response.

– Once a quantitative survey, field observation, or experiment is started, it is quickly common knowledge among a research sponsor’s competitors.

♦&νβσπ;Qualitative research:

– The purpose of qualitative research is based on “researcher immersion in the phenomenon to be studied, gathering data which provide a detailed description of events, situations and interaction between people and things, [thus] providing depth and detail.”

– It is sometimes labeled interpretive research because it seeks to develop understanding through detailed description.

– It often builds theory, but rarely tests it.

– Both the researcher and research sponsor often have significant involvement in collecting and interpreting data (participant, catalyst, participant observer, or group interview moderator).

1. Executive Summary- Usually one page

• Proposed program summary

• Solution- What the program will accomplish

• Program cost

• Organization experience and capacity- Brief statements to establish credibility with similar programs

2. Statement of Need- Two pages

• Reason(s) proposed program is needed, supported with statistical information

• Reasons the organization is the right candidate to fulfill those need(s)

3. Program Description- Three pages

• Program design and implementation

• Goals and Objectives

• Methods- Steps taken to accomplish program objectives

• Program Evaluation- The methods for reporting program results, by whom and when. How will you measure success? What are your plans for improvement?

• Plan for sustainability- How will the program continue once funding is gone?

• Program staff

4. Organizational Information- One page

• Mission and History

• Summary of past and former programs

• Accomplishments

5. Program Budget- One page

Provide an outline of all program costs and expenses. Be sure to review their guidelines on what they do not fund.

6. Attachments- Varies

• 501 © 3- Tax exemption letter

• Organization Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation

• List of Board members

• Financial Statements

• Letters of support

Explain the Scientific Method

The scientific method is the best way yet discovered for winnowing the truth from lies and delusion. The simple version looks something like this:

•1. Observe some aspect of the universe.

•2. Invent a tentative description, called a hypothesis, that is consistent with what you have observed.

•3. Use the hypothesis to make predictions.

•4. Test those predictions by experiments or further observations and modify the hypothesis in the light of your results.

•5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until there are no discrepancies between theory and experiment and/or observation.

When consistency is obtained the hypothesis becomes a theory and provides a coherent set of propositions which explain a class of phenomena. A theory is then a framework within which observations are explained and predictions are made (Physics.ucr, 2013).