Research Topics: Sample Thesis Research Design

Display of Statistical Data for Social Research

Display of Statistical Data for Social Research               Social research has several methods of presentation, all of which have their own strengths and weaknesses when providing accurate data. The information that are presented to the readers have to be clearly defined, explicitly holding the many methods that can be used in order to ensure the accuracy of the findings. At the same time, researchers have to consider that social analysis can rarely be contained with various factors only and will always be similar with other situations; culture and dynamism of the people has always proven that there will be slight changes that people will have to consider.             Because of these, the methods of determining the information have been one of the primary concern of the social analysts and researchers. There are several methods of information-gathering in a society, one of which is through the descriptive research that mostly involves ethnographic analysis. Another method is the inclusion of the statistical data that can be obtained through various means, such as interviews and questionnaires. Each of these methods also has its own weaknesses which can only be regarded on the researcher’s discretion. Demographics can provide solid evidence in a research, especially in providing the truthfulness of the outcome. Such attempt will thus be helpful in the reproduction by other researches, while also attempting towards proving that these are more or less similar or provided for.             There are several statistical presentation of the data that can be done, starting with the method in which the data is obtained. First off, there is the need to decide the number of people who will represent the entire whole or if there is also the need to speak to all; this will determine the percentage error in which the study will be determined. At the same time, it may also be more appropriate to gather a sample of the whole in order to gather the information due to the impossibility in which these data can be gathered within a restrictive timeframe.             There are also several sampling methods that can be used, depending on the nature of the research. Mostly, it can be determined based on the availability of the sources as well as the method in which the information can be gathered from their sources. Moreover, there is also the need to be sensitive about the questions that are to be asked, especially if these are discreet questions that people may not be comfortable and discussing and therefore rendering the research useless as the sources may thus not answer accordingly or based on their delegated truths. The sampling method determines the way in which the respondents can be divided and chosen in order to ensure the lack of bias in the study and also to ensure that the respondents will be chosen randomly. There are several sampling methods that a researcher can choose from, and mostly pertains on the nature and circumstances that surround the study itself, as well as the nature of the sources.             There are also some widely used sampling methods that are popular with the researchers and the nature of their study. There are several random sampling methods that allows for lesser chances of bias due to the equivalence of the population number. Another is the snowball sampling in which the researcher focuses on getting sources based on the knowledge system. Here, the researcher will get other sources through asking people whom the first source also knew about. This method may be easier in obtaining resources, however its primary weakness lies in the high chances that the information may become biased. Another sampling method is the judgment sampling in which there are established characteristics on the possible respondents that can be chosen, yet also runs the high risk of being biased in the favor of the respondent. Other sampling methods are stratified sampling, which includes the list of some required characteristics that allows for better chances on choosing. This is helpful when ensuring that, despite the factor that gives the resources a commonality, there are still some separations regarding their characteristics.             In many research papers, there may be the need to present the raw data, all of which have not yet been analyzed and assessed for the study. These are ensured because of the different ideas that can be given as well as gives the readers the chance to practice their ability of assessing the information in a fresher perspective that may be different from the writer. At the same time, for convenience’s sake, it may also be helpful for the readers to continue with their presentation of their information based on the displays that they can give. Again, such presentation can be based on the various methods in which the researchers believe their information can be given and will also be based on the data that were gathered. Moreover, the presentation of the data also highly depends on the comparative merits in which the presentation gives, wherein there is more advantage when such information will be managed accordingly. Presentation based on their comparisons gives both the readers and the writers the chance to easily visualize the information that are being provided and also see how they can be different.             Some methods of displaying the information can be through the usual tables wherein the raw data and the percentages are submitted side-by-side, which is easier due to the lack of presentation problems and also gives the readers the raw data, thus giving them the chance to produce their own analyses. Other methods with the tables include the pie chart and the tables using the columns or the bars. Lines will also be helpful when it comes to fluctuations and indicating the rise and fall of possible factors, especially with the Y axis. However, these may only be helpful with two or three different comparisons, and therefore may be different when it comes to incorporating several statistical data that may also need another factor or more. As such, many information that need to be included may thus be included through the analyses and will also be provided through the thorough inclusion of the data that were gathered.             In providing a comprehensive report, at the same time, some pointers should be remembered especially when applying on the labels of the information and also with regards to the displays. It is important that the readers will not be confused with the information and that they will easily gather the data and understand what the writer is trying to tell them in order to ensure that they will be able to provide their own analysis and also give either their approval or their disapproval regarding the methods used in the gathering of the data as well as their presentation.             Finally, it may be helpful to ensure that necessary descriptions and explanations will be included in the study, especially as they will be helpful in the provision on added information. Moreover, it gives the readers the chance to understand how the writer chose to gather and provide the information, especially when it comes to the source that they can get. It should be remembered, however, that despite the statistics and demographics that are included in the study and no matter if the study utilized the best methods of analyzing the data if the sources themselves are not updated. The researcher must be aware of the possible changes that can always occur within a community and society, and thus be able to determine how their study will reflect their findings.             It is also highly important to ensure that information is accurate before they are presented and published. It is very possible that accuracy will not be up to 100%, especially in the presence of percentage errors that will always bring some differences to the findings, and there is always the possibility that human ideas and beliefs may not be reflected in the research as 100% as well because of the dynamism of humans’ decisions and the tendency of culture and society, therefore values and economies, to change, yet through careful analyses, there will be greater chances in which the findings will be closer to the outcome, making the study easier to understand and the information they bring more reflective of the social occurrences.   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Display of Statistical Data for Social Research

Display of Statistical Data for Social Research Social research has several methods of presentation, all of which have th...

British Computer Society : Empirical Research Design

OVERVIEW The British Computer Society acts as an umbrella and provides basic support for groups of individuals sharing a common interest in specific technical subjects within Information Systems. These are the BCS Specialist Groups, over 50 in number, and they offer a unique insight into the broad range of topics and activities available to today’s computer professional. In most cases, membership of a Group is open to non-BCS Members, although those Groups which charge for membership often have a discounted membership rate and reduced event attendance fees for Society members. Through this openness, the Society benefits both from getting its message over to professionals that otherwise might not join, and by having even greater access to practitioners at the cutting edges of IT development.        RATIONALE   The rationale behind this empirical research focuses on the appropriate research design to be applied in the process that will help possibly in understanding the underlying issues present in BCS integrating to its membership process within the BCS specialist groups. The study is crucial to the situation of BCS in terms of providing technical subjects to computer professionals and other related points to consider as the empirical design for this study is to be evaluated critically and the application of case study analysis as well as survey interviews is important to realize the reason for having this research as these designs should be combined for its clear and effective function for the computer society that will be able to combine the need for the implementation of the design chosen.          RESEARCH QUESTIONS   1. Do the BCS members lack the interest in participating BCS programs and activities? 2. What are the possible ways to keep and maintain the level of membership among its specialist groups? 3. Do BCS need to re-group and re-invent their qualifying criteria in accepting an on-going member in promoting better IT development? 4. Is case study analysis and survey interview design suitable to change the situation positively that will help in group membership?   OBJECTIVES   <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> To be able to ascertain the British Computer Society if its members are making use of Specialist Groups</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> To attest if any changes could be made to such groups in order to increase their mode of participation</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> To undertake some research process in order to find out why BCS members have reacted such emotions as the British Computer Society provided some initial ideas gleaned from some previous surveys and from the views of senior members</li>       PROBLEM STATEMENT   The problem could be lack of empirical research in connection to the BCS situation and there could be insufficient research evidences on the part of research context. Thus, there can be a failure on the part of BCS in reaching out properly to their members by means of providing them suitable and useful membership programs that would act them as a group and later be a part of the specialist groups in providing relevant support to members for the information systems and that one major problem could be the presence of lack of interest due to the locations of meetings, style of meetings, competing attractions from other societies, a feeling amongst younger members that these things are for older members, and that events are not very exciting.     RESEARCH DESIGN   The case study analysis and survey interviews plan of research design are reliable enough to realize the objectives for this study and in answering the research questions and are valid tools that lead to valid outcomes because it is one of the effective design and is commonly used tool in verifying research findings and evidences for research processes. (2000) The design will help in giving ample implication for further research that relates to IT development within BCS and will emphasize key points that clarifies to the content measures of specialist groups for BCS membership. Moreover, the empirical research requires an organized data gathering in order to pinpoint theories included in the research, the methodology of the research and the instruments of data interpretation. (2000) The case study analysis and survey interviews design incorporates a direct respondent observation as it is possible that the study would be inexpensive and time efficient as the chosen method gathers information about the existing BCS condition and in employing this method is to describe the nature of a situation, as it exists at the time of the study and to explore the reasons and causes for the arising issues involved and being investigated by the researcher within a specific structure and context. (1995)   The researcher opted to use this design considering the desire of the researcher to obtain first hand information data from the respondents so as to formulate simple and direct conclusion and recommendations for the research study. ( 1995) The empirical study will employ a matter of quantitative and quantitative research design as the study intends to find substantial real evidence in the process as BCS specialist groups can easily adopt as these designs may have standard measures needed to be executed in accomplishing the tasks for conducting researches as needed for the completion of the empirical research. This research uses a qualitative research approach and it is interpretive according to  (1999 p.69) terms. This study started with initial definitions of research questions in broad terms. It is important to make the research domain as focused as possible, as otherwise the researcher can be overwhelmed with impertinent data and needless work. Also a priori specified constructs are in place to help the design of theory-building research. But the research questions and the constructs should be considered only as tentative because they must not obstruct the findings and analysis of the empirical data. The questions and constructs only help in the research work and they should be defined in a way to allow for modifications and enhancements as appropriate. (1995)     THE CASE STUDY ANALYSIS   The case study analysis design will be applied in this research; the analysis will focus in finding out relevant cases points of view from 25 BCS specialist group members and 25 non-BCS members, although those Groups which charge for membership often have a discounted membership rate and reduced event attendance fees for Society members. (1988)  The subject involves the BCS information analysis study for specialist groups and non BCS members as the purpose is to expose theoretical framework of case analysis approach stated and the steps used for finding results directed to the BCS and its IT systems even though most of these methods are not handled from the operational aspect. (1988)  The other purpose is to explain the problems encountered in the implementation of the design and share the experience gained by the study and thereby contribute to debates concerning methodology related to case analysis in BCS membership and to establish the main points that should be kept for accumulating research evidences and information to be reflected through the interpretation of cases of BCS specialist groups and BCS non members.         The lack of operational details in the application of analyzing methods makes it necessary to help inexperienced analysts studying the problem. The case study is explained in two steps, first the outline of the method is stated in general; and in the second step the details of the study are given. (1994)   Phases to be followed for the BCS Case Analysis Study Phase 1: Securing information about BCS specialist groups and exploring the problem and extent of the study as seen in the situation Phase 2: Preparation of the interpretation of analysis plan Phase 3: Presentation and approval of the design plan Phase 4: Preparation of the case realization program Phase 5: case analysis realization phase Phase 6: Compiling, organizing and transforming the documents provided and the information obtained Phase 7: Determining the problems and information needs and the principles, rules and recommendations towards designing the case     Process of building theory from case study research (1989) Step Activity Reason Getting started Definition of research question Focuses efforts Possibly a priori constructs Provides better grounding of construct measures Neither theory nor hypothesis Retains theoretical flexibility Selecting cases Specific population Constrains extraneous variation and sharpens external validity Theoretical, not random, sampling Focuses efforts on theoretically useful cases – i.e., those that replicate or extend theory by filling conceptual categories Crafting instruments and protocols Multiple data collection methods Strengthens grounding of theory by triangulation of evidence. Qualitative and quantitative data combined Synergistic view of evidence Multiple investigators Fosters divergent perspectives and strengthens grounding Entering the field Overlap data collection and analysis, including field notes Speeds analyses and reveals helpful adjustments to data collection Flexible and opportunistic data collection methods Allows investigators to take advantage of emergent themes and unique case features Analyzing data Within-case analysis Gains familiarity with data and preliminary theory generation Cross-case pattern search using divergent techniques Forces investigators to look beyond initial impressions and see evidence thru multiple lenses Shaping hypotheses Iterative tabulation of evidence for each construct Sharpens construct definition, validity, and measurability Replication, not sampling, logic across cases Confirms, extends, and sharpens theory Search evidence for “why” behind relationships Builds internal validity Enfolding literature Comparison with conflicting literature Builds internal validity, raises theoretical level, and sharpens construct definitions Comparison with similar literature Sharpens generalizability, improves construct definition, and raises theoretical level Reaching closure Theoretical saturation when possible Ends process when marginal improvement becomes small   This study can be seen as a combination of grounded theory study and a multiple case study where the cases are put together with interviews and other relevant materials. In this study Eisenhardt’s sequence is used.           THE SURVEY INTERVIEWS The data collection methods will include survey interviews of the BCS respondents within the interview protocols and field notes were written up where the situation and other non-verbal ideas and observations were put down to prepare for subsequent case analysis. ( 1998) Two interviewers carried out the interviews. Only in one case did they do an interview together and this was at the beginning of the project in order to standardize the following interview sessions and learn interview techniques from each other. The interviews are to be completed using the semi-structured interview approach where the interview themes and questions were prepared beforehand The semi-structured approach was selected in order to have an adequate focus for the discussions. However, space was given to follow new leads and other interesting topics emerging from the conversations. (1998)    Figure One: Processing of interview data from analysis (Hirsjärvi & Hurme, 2000 p. 144)   One form of validation is the method of triangulation where comparison of data from different sources and by different methods is done (1993) where the interviews and interpretations based on them are presented to the interviewees in order to correct errors or to add issues not found in the texts and their interpretations (2000).           For the empirical material of this study an effort was made for member checking but the expected results could be not enough for the survey interviews and cases as not all respondents may respond to the enquiries with more information. To further generalize the findings and the design to reflect the BCS membership process within the specialist groups and non members as more research on the subject is needed. ( 1996)     ESTIMATED COSTS   Travel                             Subsistence                   Stationery                       Other materials                 Total _____________   $ 95             CHRONOLOGICAL PLAN   task to be completed JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DEC               Meet with supervisor and finalize proposal             Academic literature review             Professional literature review             Case Analysis/Survey Interview design             Other fieldwork and data collection             Data analysis and writing reports             Complete temporary draft             Prepare final draft               APPENDICES CRITERIA FOR EMPIRICAL RESEARCH ( 1997) Randomization: Ideally, subjects should be randomly selected from the target population and then randomly assigned to treatment conditions. Control: Extraneous factors associated with variation in an outcome can be controlled by techniques such as selection, stratification and possibly statistical can be randomized. Reliability: It is preferred that outcomes be assessed with relatively little measurement error. Other things being equal, unreliability increases unexplained variation within groups and reduces the power of the analysis. Validity: In selecting a relevant measure for an outcome variable, it is critical that logical inferences can be made from the operations upon which the measure was based to the theoretical constructs relevant to the study.   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

British Computer Society : Empirical Research Design

OVERVIEW The British Computer Society acts as an umbrella and provides basic support for groups of individuals sharing a common inte...

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