July+9,+2012

=Week 2 Initial Thoughts=

I am quickly discovering how much dedication goes into conducting a full-fledged adventure with research. While I knew previously that research involved much time and attention to study, I had no idea the complexity that is to come out of a research quest. It is not only based on seeking out an answer, but ensuring that your variables are manageable, your subjects are represented, participants are active that procedures are within a comfortable level of risk and then checking the validity of questions and the reliability of the measurement instrument. Page 150 provided a glance at the beginnings of identifying variables. So not only does a particular study require time, deciding on the type of research design would require deep planning as well.

The difference between quantitative and qualitative research stood out to me within the readings, not only because they laid it out for me, but I was then able to look at my current articles for research and then analyze their formats. I can say that I understand the difference as follows: Quantitative is based on numerical findings and Qualitative is based on perspectives. I found that table 5.5 was valuable in looking deeper at Quantitative data and tools for measurement.

I feel that I am more skilled at qualitative research, as statistics and numbers are very intimidating, and data is often formatted in a complex manner. The study with Deslandes and Bertrand (p.35) brings me back to my high school math days, using terms like standard deviation, variable, median, mode, mean. I thought by studying language arts, I would be free of the math terminology, but it haunts me once again… I do enjoy the task of making a comparison, so if data is organized in an obvious way, I can often make sense of it. While Creswell described data analysis, I’m not sure any have really provided me with a true understanding of how I would begin to analyze quantitative data. Do others feel the same way? Making sense of the numerical data is what makes me the most anxious.

Perhaps the most familiar design of research would be survey research. With each of our standardized tests, the Ministry provides a teacher and student survey. Information on these surveys would be collected to better identify the sampling. This is clear to me now why these surveys are included in the research packages.

Creswell did get me thinking about all of the potential threats to validity that could exist within any research. As a researcher, it is imperative to be aware of the threats so that you can better prepare for any issues within the design.