Evlauating Reseach Methods

This week in class, we were asked to reflect on what we have learned about the literature review process. We were then given four scenarios to evaluate and identify which type of research method would be best used. Below you will see the scenarios and my analysis of each.

Scenario 1: Ten students are available for in-depth interviews. Participants will be selected based on their involvement with the peer mediation program. They will be observed over three weeks. Analysis will attempt to determine issues concerning peer mediation.

Analysis: The idea that they will be observed, help me to identify this research method as Qualitative Ethnographic. This method uses observation and study of a cultural group in its natural setting (Laureate Ed, Inc., 2008).

Scenario 2: Two classrooms of students are selected. There are 30 students in each class; each group will have similar demographics - age, sex, race, socio-economic background, etc. Classes will be randomly divided into two groups of 15 students. Of these two groups, on randomly selected group will get training on peer mediation and the other group will not. Thus in each classroom there will be one group that is trained in peer mediation and one that is not. Analysis will occur on which groups have the fewest office referrals.

Analysis: This scenario I have identified as Quantitative True Experimental. In the scenario the researcher is able to divide the groups randomly with similar demographics in each classroom. The researcher is also able to establish a control group. This is a true experiment set-up.

Scenario 3: A school counselor is interested in knowing how student attitudes affect the value of peer mediation to decrease the number of office referrals that are being filed for inappropriate interactions.

Analysis: This scenario I have identified as Action Research. The focus of this scenario is solving an immediate school-wide problem of students attitudes and the value of peer mediation (Laureate Ed, Inc., 2008). This style of research gives the counselor to look at the problem on a wide range and solve it immediately with the data they receive.

Scenario 4: Peer mediation has become widely used in many schools. The feelings of those involved in the process are little known - either from those doing the mediation or those receiving it. The ZASK-R Acceptance Preference Survey will be given as pre- and post-tests to 40 students participating in mediation. Follow-up interviews will be conducted on a bi-monthly basis.

Analysis: This scenario is best described as Mixed Method. In this scenario has a specific question that is looking to be answered. Also, the idea of pre - and post-test means that they will be using quantitative methods to collect the data in the beginning and quantitative method style to perform post-tests and interviews in the end. When all of this is combined it confirms that mixed method is used here.


Reference:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008). Introduction to Educational Research [Educational video] Baltimore: Author.