My Reflective wall by Monisa Charles https://padlet.com/monisa_charles/3tn4pix05qe0 Made to light up the world en-us 2017-09-01 01:38:36 UTC 2017-11-24 19:21:37 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Lightdecrease.png monisa_charles https://padlet.com/monisa_charles/3tn4pix05qe0/wish/186105740 Unit #1 Reflective Log

1.          The three (3) most important concepts from the unit were:
a)      Introduction to Research
Research can be defined as the examination method applied to collect, study and understand data that can be further used.   Businesses utilize these methods for the purpose of gaining knowledge on a particular issue they may face e.g. buying habits and consumer attitudes.  Three (3) types of major business research methods used are Exploratory research, Descriptive research and Causal research.
 
b)      Research Methods
The philosophy of research is very important to the method chosen as it can influence how the information is collected and analyzed. The three (3) major ideas in which a research can be conducted are Epistemology Philosophy, Ontology Philosophy and Axiology Philosophy. After selecting a philosophy that is best for the study, either of these three (3) research strategies is employed, Qualitative research, Quantitative research or Mixed methods research.
 
c)       Issues in Research
When researching an issue a researcher should be attentive to numerous ethical rules for example, is the research, honest, objective, confidential etc.?  Unethical controversy should also be avoided between the researcher and the sponsor paying for the study that is being conducted, even in some case the sponsor should not be disclosed to the researcher.  This nondisclosure will ensure that purpose and findings of the study is kept confidential.
]]> 2017-09-09 20:36:01 UTC https://padlet.com/monisa_charles/3tn4pix05qe0/wish/186105740 Unit #3 Reflective Log 1. The Research Proposal: This is a written outline of a specific topic or issue that is being explored by a researcher. This outline should include the purpose and nature of the research, the approach that will be taken to find answers to questions and identify solutions to the topic or issue. The proposal should also contain a time frame in which the report should be completed. 2. The Research Report: Following the submission of a research proposal a research report is prepared. The research report serves to supply the stakeholders with a comprehensive account of all the information gathered to complete the research. Some items that would be included in this report are references and appendices, results, data analysis and literature reviews etc. 3. Oral Presentation: A suitable method of condensing and explaining the research findings of a report is by oral presentation. The purpose of this presentation is to display the information by the use of charts and/or graphs, which serves to visually aid the user to capture and understand the findings. This presentation is usually 15-20 minutes in length. monisa_charles https://padlet.com/monisa_charles/3tn4pix05qe0/wish/188926400 2017-09-19 14:51:02 UTC https://padlet.com/monisa_charles/3tn4pix05qe0/wish/188926400 Unit #4 Reflective Log The three (3) most important concepts from the unit were: a) Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. In utilizing a particular research approach, a specific research method or design would need to be determined. In a qualitative approach the main methods associated with it are, Phenomenology, Ethnography, Grounded Theory and Case Study. In quantitative approach we can use these methods, Experimental Research, Quasi-experimental research and Non-experimental research. The mixed method approach only utilized one design, the Exploratory, Descriptive and Casual Research Designs. b) Conceptualization and Measurement. During the planning process of a research an important element that needs to be defined is the conceptualization and measurement of the project. This is to ensure that what needs to be considered in the research is researched and considered. Conceptualization is the process of clearly explaining ideas that would be incorporated in the research. One way this can be done is through Variables, which are specific ways of measurement. Variables can be either dependent or independent. Measurement in research has four levels, Nominal (numbers), Ordinal (first, second), Interval (meters) and Ratio (weight, time). To ensure greater accuracy in the type of measurement utilized, the standards of reliability, validity and sensitivity must be met. Should attitudes be measured in research, the techniques of ranking, rating, sorting and choice can be used. c) Sampling and Non-Sampling Designs. Sampling is method of selecting a small group of persons from the population that would participate in the research. The unit identified and explained the basic stages of sampling, which are, defining the target population, selecting the sample frame, determine the sampling method (Probability or Nonprobability), specifying the sampling plan, determine the sample size, specifying the sampling unit and then selecting the sample. monisa_charles https://padlet.com/monisa_charles/3tn4pix05qe0/wish/191445316 2017-09-26 19:48:31 UTC https://padlet.com/monisa_charles/3tn4pix05qe0/wish/191445316 Unit #5 Reflective Log The three (3) most important concepts from the unit were: a) Sources of Data Three types of data are Primary, Secondary and Tertiary data, however only primary and secondary data was examined. Primary data is the actual raw information collected e.g. questionnaires, interviews. Secondary data is data already published by another person or company e.g. newspaper, government reports. To determine the valuableness of the data collected from these sources, four criteria must be meet: quality, relevance, timeliness and completeness. b) The Data Collection Process The data collection process entails selecting a data collection method which will be important to the type data that the researcher wants to collect. The collection process should begin with secondary data and then primary data collected if the research questions have not be answered, the basic concepts of sampling should be observed. The three most common methods are survey, interviews and observations and the different approaches to conducing these methods researching are face-to-face, telephone, and internet or by focus groups. c) Preparation and Management of Field Processes In the collection of data the role of the person (field worker) is very important. The field worker is the person actually conducting the interview, collecting the questionnaires and making the observations on behalf of the researcher. Therefore the field worker has to possess such qualities as honesty, patience and tact, have good listening skills, etc. When this type of field worker is chosen, proper training and management of the individual should be provided so that the data is collected appropriately. monisa_charles https://padlet.com/monisa_charles/3tn4pix05qe0/wish/194079471 2017-10-04 20:20:16 UTC https://padlet.com/monisa_charles/3tn4pix05qe0/wish/194079471 Unit #6 Reflective LogThe three (3) most important concepts of the unit are: 1. Communicating with Respondents: The impact of a communication medium on a questionnaire design is important because it can influence how the interviewee understand and respond to the questions. When selecting the design style and structure, the mode should be considered so as to assist in valuable responses. Two (2) modes of communication media are Interviewer-Administered Modes for example interviews conducted by telephone and in person and Self-Administered Modes for example by mail, or on the internet. 2. Questionnaire Designs: The construction of a questionnaire design is important as it allows compilation of information to be relevant and accurate. The intention of the questionnaire design should be to get the question answered and not create confusion in the mind of the interviewee. When creating a questionnaire five (5) questions that should be asked are, what should be asked, in what sequence questions should be arranged, how should questions be phrased, what layout that will best serve the research objective and the pretested and revised of the questionnaire. Using these questions to design the questionnaire will ensure that the interviewee completes the questionnaire correctly. 3. Type of Errors: Another thing to remember when designing a questionnaire are errors that can occur. Two (2) types of errors that can take place are Interviewer and Respondent Errors. Interview errors are caused by the interviewer for example, cheating or providing false responses etc. Respondent errors are caused by the respondent for example, giving false answers or incorrectly completing the questionnaire etc. monisa_charles https://padlet.com/monisa_charles/3tn4pix05qe0/wish/209972074 2017-11-24 19:19:23 UTC https://padlet.com/monisa_charles/3tn4pix05qe0/wish/209972074