Choosing Appropriate Quantitative Research Design

Choosing Appropriate quantifiable Research DesignQuantitative look into is ended to provide quantitative (numerical) selective information that answers questions link up to tr residues, military postures, opinions, or the impact of interposition on a race. Before quantitative inquiry begins, it is necessary to identify the purpose of the call for, the population to be studied, the variables involved in the lead, and the type of data that would be most utiliseful as an end product. After identifying these components, queryers can next hone in on the envision of the research, the envision of the research collection tool, sampling procedures, the survey or bar instrument, data collection methods, and data analyses methods (data organization, data interpretation, scaling, etc.) and issues ( severity, reliability, threats to rigorousness, etc.).The research is based on theory or hypotheses and is normally trials for the impact of an intervention on a population. The imp act of an intervention or treatment may be cargonful using traditional data-based methods and processes or by survey methods. subject methods include personal interviews, telephone interviews, mailed questionnaires, classify administered questionnaires, or dropped-off syndicate surveys (Trochim, 2006). Though the process is presented in simple terms in this paper, the authentic externalize process is a very complex set of decisions related to the methodologies and procedures of quantitative research. This paper seeks to outline the strengths and limitations of the most widely used research approach pattern models to come up the subdue research propose for quantitatively researching the use of technology web 2.0 innovations to stipulate its moment on learning and turn up performance in the elementary classroom.The quantitative paper of the tender acquaintance is especially challenging because of the fact that the in hooked variables can non be manipulated and that the research must(prenominal) often be performed in real time in a natural setting. The research is characterized by the manipulation of a variable except extreme care must be taken not to defile the ask participants in any way without the study. Research is usually centered around the determination of a property-disposition relationship (attitude-focused) or a stimulus-response relationship (behaviorally-focused). Quantitative researchers must determine which type of relationship is go around suited for their specific study. The following are critical factors in qualification this critical determinationTime Interval the period of time amongst introduction of the independent variable and the response to the variableDegree of specificity closing off of the independent variable to determine its effectNature of par groups coincidence of before/after groups or experimental/ inhibit groups for statistical outlineTime sequence of events determining the timeline for the relationshi p amid cause and effectThese elements of quantitative research drive the decisions regarding research methodologies and procedures related to choosing an appropriate research bod. The following is a brief overview of the research designs used in friendly sciences.Quantitative Research Design Comparison experimental DesignExperimental design is usually associated with the life and physical sciences where independent variables are good manipulated. Experimental design compares the results of an experimental group (that receives exposure to an independent variable) with a control group (that does not receive exposure to an independent variable). This design often uses a pretest and posttest measurement to analyze the differences between groups. The advantages of this type of research design for perusal companionable science include the ability of the researchers to award and control extrinsic and intrinsic (independent) variables as well as the indulgent assignment of causati ve inferences that strengthen the validness of the research. Disadvantages of experimental design for brotherly science includes the inability to replicate the experiment in a real-life social setting resulting in weak external validity and the reliance on volunteers or self-selected participants who may not represent the actual population. As a result, generalizability is decreased due to the small sample of participants selected for the study.Cross-Sectional and Quasi-Experimental Designs cross-sectional design is recognized by its utilization of surveys to determine study participants backgrounds, past experiences, and attitude to determine the relationship between research variables. This type of research is not conducive to experimental design because of the difficulties in manipulating the independent variable during the study. Cross-sectional design relies on statistical analysis to approximate the relationship between variables and may not produce accurate causal inference s. Internal validity is weak as a result.Quasi-experimental design is identified by haphazard selection of study participants without the requirement of random selection of participants to a comparison group, study of more(prenominal) than one population sample, and studies conducted over time. It is difficult to disaggregate the data produced by this type of study since the population sample forget comprise of a mixture of subjects with various traits and characteristics. Causal inferences are difficult to determine with this design. Performing the study over time and the analysis of data by (similar) categoric or contrasted (different) groups are strategies used to increase the validity of this design for social science research.Planned variation design, panels, time-series designs, and control-series designs are alternative quasi-experimental social science research designs that attempt to increase internecine and external validity by controlling stimuli introduction, resear ch methods, cause-and-effect identification, and causal inference determination respectively. unite designs employ two or more of the designs mentioned above in labor to assess the causal effects of variables using a multi-method, multi-design approach to studying social science.The advantages disco biscuited by these designs include increased internal and external validity as a result of the ability to perform research in real-life, natural settings with a representative population. Since there is no assignment of participants to treatment or comparison groups, researchers are able to perform studies that could be considered wrong or impossible using traditional experimental designs. The disadvantages associated with these designs include obstruction determining causal inferences (due to a wide variety of differences inherent in the study population) and the inability of researchers to manipulate the independent variable.Pre-Experimental DesignPre-experimental design is appropr iate when no other design is able to study a population due to limitations in time, population, or a specified event. If there is a single event that occurs at a specified time for a specified group of people, there is only one opportunity to study the impact of a treatment. For this reason, pre-experimental design is considered to be the weakest type of research design with a high risk of causal inference error. There is usually not an assignment of subjects to an experimental or control group and this design usually does not include a comparison group. A one-shot depicted object study is often used with this type of design and does not offer high validity due to the limited ability to generalize study results to a wider population. An advantage of this design includes allowing researchers the ability to scientifically show that more research is needed to explore a particular hypothesis. Weak internal and external validity and the inability to make causal inferences are considere d to be disadvantages for this research design.Determining Which Design is Most AppropriateMy research trouble studies the relationship between the use of web 2.0 innovative technologies (such as Skype, chip Life, etc.) and depth of research, test performance, and self- motivated learning for grade 3 through 8 students. Important factors that are necessary to consider are the identification of the independent variable, identification of dependent variables, availability of a control or contrast group, ethical implications of this study, and availability of the study (treatment) population. The independent variable in the study is the use of web 2.0 technologies for research. Dependent variables are research depth, test performance, and student self-motivation to learn. The grade 3 through 8 students for the control group and experimental group are available at my current prescribe of employment. Since the treatment involves using technology to learn, there is no presumed risk or ethical issue since using technology is an ordinary part of the students solar day of learning. The treatment of using technology for communicating over the Internet is a manipulation of the use of technology in the classroom. Special care will be taken to ensure that students adhere to Internet safety rules during communication sessions.Experimental design is the most appropriate research design for this study for the following reasonsAvailability and randomization of control and experimental groupsVariables can be tardily manipulatedPre-test and post-test measurements are possibleCausal inferences will be easily identifiedJohnson and Christensen (2007) state that quantitative research is appropriate for describing what is seen and generating new hypotheses and theories. Since the measurements of the dependent variables reflect behavioral rather than cognitive outcomes, the tools used to measure the study outcomes will not include surveys but rather observational logs. This that supports the use of the experimental design for this study.Other ConsiderationsOther research designs are not considered appropriate and are detailed for the following reasons. Cross-sectional design is not appropriate for this study because surveys are not necessary to determine the participants backgrounds, past experiences, or attitudes. Also, since the independent variable can be manipulated, statistical analysis will not be necessary to approximate causal inferences. Quasi-experimental design should not be employed since the assignment of participants to a control or comparison group is possible and there is no need for an extended period of time for this study. Also, there is no need to systematically introduce stimuli, use panels, or take measurements over a identification number of time periods. Data is not expected to change for individuals due to history, maturation, or test-retest effects. Furthermore, there are no ethical considerations present in the experimental des ign for the study. Lastly, the pre-experimental design is not appropriate for this study since this is not an event-based or time-sensitive study.