Research

Respond to two colleagues by providing feedback on their choice of measurement and data collection method. Also identify one cultural aspect they will need to consider when collecting data.

Please use the Learning Resources to support your response (i.e., cite and reference).

1 JO-

My research question is: Does lack of ADHD education and training amongst school personnel contribute to missed ADHD diagnoses of school age children? The methodological approach I chose was ethnographic because I wanted to collect both quantitative and qualitative data to answer my research question. I feel this is important because quantitative methods will reveal how much the predictor variable (education level) affects the outcome variable (number of mental health referrals made). Gathering qualitative data will be important for understanding the themes surrounding this issue and it will give the researchers a better understanding of the underlying attitudes school personnel might have about ADHD.

The measurement tool I would use to obtain quantitative data would be surveys mailed to a designated person in the selected school who would then distribute them to coworkers. The surveys would be returned anonymously in a locked drop box to eliminate any possible discrimination against those individuals who choose not to participate. This method would be beneficial for participant confidentiality, but it might lead to distortion of findings due to low return rate. The more participants who answer and return the survey, the more response bias can be ruled out. I feel that having one person at each school in charge of disseminating and collecting the surveys would help increase the return rate to the extent ethically possible. It would be unethical to demand that an individual participates in a survey, or to make any implication that the person’s job might depend on doing so.

My surveys would collect ordinal data from questions like: How well do you feel you understand ADHD? Potential answers would range from “not at all” to “very well”. They would also collect nominal data: for example, a participant is either a teacher or they are not; likewise, they either have formal training of some sort about ADHD or they do not.

I would then use personal interviews to obtain qualitative data. Because this is an expensive and time-consuming process, only a set number of participants in the survey would be randomly selected for a face-to-face meeting with researchers. This data collection technique is beneficial because it gives the interviewer the chance to observe any emotion the participant might display and to record the participant’s response in his or her own words. Qualitative data collection seeks to enrich the researchers’ understanding of the more personal aspects of a phenomenon. I would videotape the interviews (with the participants’ permission and understanding of confidentiality) to allow a second researcher to evaluate them. This would increase reliability by making use of interobserver agreement.

2 SOHIA

MY Research Question:

What is the Impact of Domestic Violence on Young Males who are exposed to it Within Parental Relationships?

Methodological Approach:

For this proposed research study, a mixed-methods approach will be adopted to comprehensively explore the impact of domestic violence on young males exposed to it within parental relationships. The mixed-methods approach combines both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis to gain a deeper understanding of the research question and provide a more comprehensive perspective on the subject.

Method of Measurement and Data Collection:

Quantitative Phase:

In the quantitative phase, a survey questionnaire will be designed and administered to collect numerical data from a larger sample of young males who have been exposed to domestic violence in their parental relationships. The questionnaire will include standardized scales and items that assess the psychological, emotional, and behavioral impacts of domestic violence on these individuals. The survey will also explore their coping mechanisms, resilience levels, and attitudes toward violence and relationships. Data collected from the study will be analyzed using statistical techniques to identify correlations, trends, and patterns.

Qualitative Phase:

The qualitative phase will involve conducting in-depth interviews with a smaller, purposefully selected subgroup of young males who have experienced domestic violence in their parental relationships. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted to gain a deeper understanding of their lived experiences, emotions, and perceptions related to the exposure to domestic violence. The interviews will allow participants to share their stories and insights in their own words, providing rich and contextual data. Thematic analysis will be used to analyze the interview transcripts and identify recurring themes, emotions, and perspectives.

Justification for Mixed-Methods Approach and Data Collection Methods:

Comprehensiveness: The mixed-methods approach enables a comprehensive investigation of the research question by combining the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative phase allows for the collection of data from a larger sample, providing statistical generalizability and identifying trends. The qualitative phase, on the other hand, delves into the participants’ subjective experiences, allowing for a deeper exploration of the impact of domestic violence on their lives.

Triangulation: Using both quantitative and qualitative methods allows for triangulation, where findings from one method can be validated or enriched by findings from the other method. This enhances the credibility and reliability of the overall study.

Contextual Understanding: The qualitative phase provides an in-depth exploration of participants’ experiences, emotions, and coping mechanisms, offering a more nuanced and contextual understanding of the impact of domestic violence on young males.

Ethical Considerations: Domestic violence is a sensitive and potentially distressing topic. The mixed-methods approach allows researchers to balance the need for collecting comprehensive data while minimizing potential harm to participants. The quantitative phase maintains a level of anonymity and reduces the emotional burden on participants, while the qualitative phase ensures that their voices are heard and their experiences are valued.