Research Methods by Kenya Y. James https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13 Weekly Reflections en-us 2017-09-08 15:26:39 UTC 2026-02-26 15:40:13 UTC hello@padlet.com Orientation Week kenya_james https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/185914422 And so it begins.. 
This week, just like the first week of every new semester is the scariest, most nerve-racking feeling ever. I always over think things and have moments of self-doubt which brings me to the brink of quitting. But with the help of my supportive friends and family, I always pull through. 
Miss Karima, welcomed us and with her continuous posts, I felt like I belonged and motivated. From my time with UWI she has been the most active Course Coordinator thus far which makes me know that she cares. I'm hoping this course will provide me with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed. 

I.AM.READY ! ]]> 2017-09-08 15:29:27 UTC https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/185914422 Week 1 kenya_james https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/185918863 Research plays a vital role in everyone’s lives and especially in business establishments. Research is important because it allows business to make informed decisions based on facts gathered to reach new conclusions. It allows businesses to stay abreast with market trends and to avoid loss of customers by finding out what appeals to them. There are three types of research that businesses conduct: exploratory, descriptive and casual research. The three types can be used based on your research purposes. 
 Furthermore, I was able to learn about research ethics and why they are important standards to adhere to. What really stood out to me was the sponsor researcher relationship. A sponsor is basically any person/business who employs a researcher and funds the project. The researcher and sponsor’s relationship needs to be a transparent one, where all goals and objectives are agreed upon by each party. The researcher needs to be objective and not become attached in any way to the project. 
  Overall, this unit was a very enlightening one although the additional reading was quite some work, it was beneficial in the end. 
 
*Looking forward to gaining more knowledge from the upcoming unit. *
 ]]> 2017-09-08 15:38:18 UTC https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/185918863 Week 2 kenya_james https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/188152064 This week’s unit covered the six steps in the research process, the process in defining a problem and how to go about conducting a literature review. 
 The research process is used to gather information on a particular problem or topic in order to come to a conclusion. The six steps include; Identification of the problem, Research design (how will you go about gathering information to conduct the research), Measurement (the aspects of the research that will be looked at and how they will be measured), Data collection (the method which will be used to gather information), Data analysis (editing and making sense of the information that was gathered) and last stage is Results and findings (coming to a conclusion based on the findings). It is also important to note that if the person conducting the research makes any changes during a step, it is necessary to review the other steps to make sure that the changes made flow nicely. 
 The literature review involves gathering information that is available on a specific area of research. It is an important part of your research process because it lays out the foundation and focus for your study and will provide support for the information you will be adding. The information from this unit will be beneficial to me in conducting my research for the research assignment.

*Cheers to another great week*]]> 2017-09-16 14:20:31 UTC https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/188152064 Week 3 kenya_james https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/190322428 This week the unit covered communication throughout the research process. The research proposal is a tool used to communicate the research plan.  It indicates the main reasons for wanting to do the research, states how one goes about conducting the research and their expectations from conducting the research. It sets out to find information that is already out there based on your field of study (Literature review). The research report on the other hand, summarizes all the data collected to find possible correlations among the research to back up the hypothesis previously made from the inception. It is important to note that the research proposal is written in future tense, because you’re stating what you hope to find based on the research you came across. Whilst, the report is written in past tense because the research has already been done. When the written part of the research is done, the researcher needs to give an oral presentation of his study. Therefore, how you start and end makes a great impact on the audience hence, it is important that the researchers pays close attention to their facial expressions, tone of voice and the pace at which they speak to keep the audience interested. 

 

]]> 2017-09-23 01:08:58 UTC https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/190322428 Week 4 kenya_james https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/192544265 This week’s unit covered Research Design; the various methods approached of gathering data, how researcher’s measure and sampling designs. The methods used in qualitative approach include, phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory and case study. The methods used in the quantitative approach include, experimental research, quasi-experimental research and non-experimental research. And lastly, the mixed methods approach. This approach is basically a mixture of both approached mentioned previously. Researchers rarely use just one approach therefore, the mixed methods approach is more common. 

Furthermore, when the information for the study has been gathered, researchers need to measure the data using the four levels of measurement. They include, Nominal- which are numerical values, Ordinal – where measurements are ranked (1st,2nd ,3rd ), Interval – where values are in a range (1-100) and Ratio – where variables have a fixed natural zero point (weight, time). Measurements needs to be done accurately because if it done inaccurately the entire research will be affected. Hence, there is a criteria used to determine good measurement (reliability, validity and sensitivity). 


]]> 2017-09-29 17:05:29 UTC https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/192544265 Week 5 kenya_james https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/194955668 This week, we moved on to Unit 5 where the main focus of the unit was Data Collection. The first part of the unit discussed the 2 types of data; primary and secondary data and the advantages of the 2 types. Primary data when compared to secondary data is more costly and time consuming. Whereas, secondary data on the other hand, is more time efficient and less expensive but the data may not always be reliable. Furthermore, the value of data can be determined by its timeliness, relevance, completeness and quality. The unit also covered the various methods of data collection with the most common methods being, observations, interviews and surveys. These methods provides the researcher with both qualitative and quantitative data needed for the study. Session 5.3 dealt with the nature of fieldwork and the responsibilities of fieldworkers. I related significantly to this session because the organization I work with conducts monthly exit surveys at the airport to gather information on the length of stay, accommodation, activities, etc that the tourist engaged in. Hence, fieldworkers are hired to conduct interviews and surveys to gather the data needed. I was enlightened on the qualities they should possess and how managers should always be involved in the process to ensure the interviews are being done correctly and the information needed is being attained in order to reduce the occurrence of errors.

]]> 2017-10-08 03:20:56 UTC https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/194955668 Week 6 https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/199788990 This week was a very overwhelming and hectic one, I had so many assignments to complete including adding the finishing touches to my research proposal in order to submit. It was also challenging because my teammate for the presentation was affected by the hurricane so I was left to complete the assignment alone although I did receive a few motivational pushes and tips from some of my colleagues who are also doing the course. I applied the information I've acquired throughout the semester and also the feedback from Miss Parris to complete the proposal. Hopefully, I will receive a great mark. 

]]> 2017-10-23 21:16:04 UTC https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/199788990 Week 7 https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/199790196 It is amazing how much this course is helping me with my other courses, especially marketing. It has improved my knowledge as it relates to gathering the necessary information and deciding whether the information gathered is legitimate and also useful. This week the presentation was due and also, the quiz opened. I was able to complete all tasks on time but not without a few frustrating moments. The screencastomatic program was very user friendly. I think I recorded the presentation about 15 times because I wanted it to be perfect but after a while, I gave up. The quiz I have no comments on,  waiting patiently to see how I did *fingers crossed*. I'm hoping the upcoming week will be a better one. (wishful thinking). 

]]> 2017-10-23 21:21:06 UTC https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/199790196 https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/199791853 Keep this in mind.. 

]]> 2017-10-23 21:29:32 UTC https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/199791853 https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/199792107 2017-10-23 21:30:56 UTC https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/199792107 kenya_james https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/201450184 Keep pushing ]]> 2017-10-29 01:02:24 UTC https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/201450184 Week 8 kenya_james https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/203704561 This week was another hectic one. The pressure is definitely on as the semester is wrapping up, therefore, the work load is mountainous and studying has to commence. This week the unit covered questions. Although this unit came pretty late in the semester (considering the fact that we have already began work on our research reports), the knowledge regarding it will help construct or provide tips on making questionnaires that will aid in acquiring the necessary information. When constructing a questionnaire, one should be mindful of the wording being used (stick to the basics to ensure all participants full understand). Also, the researcher should avoid leading and threatening questions as this may affect the participant’s willingness to respond truthfully since the main point of the survey is to find out people’s opinions. This information will help make adjustments to the layout of my questionnaire and the type of questions also. 

]]> 2017-11-06 00:24:05 UTC https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/203704561 Week 9 kenya_james https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/203704823 This week’s unit covered data preparation and presentation. Data preparation involves checking the data for accuracy, entering the data into the computer, transforming the data, and constructing a database. The researcher needs to make sure that all responses are legible and whether all questions were answered. After all responses have been processed, it can now be represented using various charts such as, pie charts, bar charts, line graphs, frequency tables etc. Every data presentation method has its different uses. For example, bar charts are used to display ungrouped and discrete data whilst histograms are used to present continuous data. This knowledge will enable me to use the correct graphs to present my findings from the questionnaires. 

]]> 2017-11-06 00:26:29 UTC https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/203704823 Week 10 kenya_james https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/205862651 The end is drawing nearer day by day and I am beginning to feel really overwhelmed.This week was the debate, my partner and I were to argue that probability sampling is the best method to conduct a customer satisfaction survey for a financial institution. After doing research, I really do believe that this method would be most appropriate compared to non-probability sampling. In all research, the information needs to be unbiased and has to faithfully represent the population. And as we know, it is impossible to survey every single person in the population but the mere fact that despite that, they are all given an chance of being selected to be part of the sample. It was a bit tedious working with my group partner, mostly because her preferred communication methods was email and messages through the OC, and mine was whatsapp, because it is ]]> 2017-11-11 08:08:27 UTC https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/205862651 Week 11 kenya_james https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/209810090 This week's unit covered data analysis. Majority of the content in this unit was already taught in the Introduction to Statistics course, which was quite helpful in completing the graded discussion. The videos in the unit provided me with the knowledge on how to analyze qualitative data, which is what I needed to learn to analyze my data from the questionnaires. My research project fell more on the qualitative since I was researching on the impact organizational change had on an organizational change. The research dealt with attitudes and perception, also motivation and satisfactory levels, therefore, falls on the qualitative side. This course was the most challenging for me so far but despite that, I was able to finish with my project in time to submit.

]]> 2017-11-24 01:03:17 UTC https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/209810090 Week 12 kenya_james https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/209810900 IT IS PRESENTATION WEEK !
This course made me face one of my greatest fears- PRESENTING. Though, my voice was shaky, I was able to post my presentation and complete my responses at a later date. Otherwise, I am so glad to be done with this course. I will never forget the many assignments and long readings. I will miss the emails from the Miss Mohammed, but I am sure we will meet again. This course taught me many concepts that I am sure will assist me in my other courses. Thank you Miss Parris and Miss Mohammed. 
Until next time, Bye! 

xoxo]]> 2017-11-24 01:16:03 UTC https://padlet.com/kenya_james/rgmcm3ctxi13/wish/209810900