Identify the research design; what type(s) of study would you call it? Evaluate if this design was appropriate based on the purpose of the study. Describe the manipulation or treatment (if appropriate). What controls were put in to strengthen the design, e.g. procedures the researchers used to control external or situational factors and internal or subject characteristic factors (potential threats to study validity)? Were these procedures appropriate and adequate?
Answers must be a minimum of five complete paragraphs, including an introduction, body, and conclusion, and must use outside sources (in addition to class materials). Post your complete answer, with references, under the title "Leader, Last Name" (e.g Leader, Pack).
For this module, you should also read the assigned qualitative article and answer the below topic for that article as well. The majority of the post should discuss the quantitative article, but include a full paragraph discussing the qualitative article and comparing your answers for the two articles. Explain why you see similarities or differences of the sample (topic A) or research design (topic B) between the two types of articles.
Topics:
Discuss the sample (size, sampling method, and setting) and critique the sampling methods (appropriateness of sampling e.g. inclusion/exclusion criteria; representativeness of sample to population; comparability of groups [if groups present]). Use words found in your textbook that help you such as random/nonrandom; probability/nonprobability; convenience; purposive. Do you see any potential bias in the sample? Remember that bias results in a distortion in the results of a study.
Identify the research design; what type(s) of study would you call it? Evaluate if this design was appropriate based on the purpose of the study.
Describe the manipulation or treatment (if appropriate). What controls were put in to strengthen the design, e.g. procedures the researchers used to control external or situational factors and internal or subject characteristic factors (potential threats to study validity)? Were these procedures appropriate and adequate?