Based On Your Course Reading Assignments And Your Pending Re

Based On Your Course Reading Assignments And Your Pending Research Pro

Based on your course reading assignments and your pending research problem, what type of study do you believe you are conducting, and please explain why? Extra materials: Descriptive research is a study designed to depict the participants in an accurate way. More simply put, descriptive analysis is all about describing people who take part in the survey. There are three ways a researcher can go about doing a descriptive research project, and they are: Observational, defined as a method of viewing and recording the participants; Case study, defined as an in-depth study of an individual or group of individuals; and Survey, defined as a brief interview or discussion with an individual about a specific topic. Mixed methods research (Extracted from the article below) is the use of quantitative and qualitative methods in a single study or series of studies. It is a new methodology that is increasingly used by health researchers, especially within health services research. There is a growing literature on the theory, design, and critical appraisal of mixed methods research. However, few papers summarize this methodological approach for health practitioners who wish to conduct or critically engage with mixed methods studies. Article: Using Mixed Methods in Health Research Meta-Analysis Meta-analysis is a statistical technique for combining data from multiple studies on a particular topic. A Meta-analysis is an analytical tool for estimating the mean and variance of underlying population effects from a collection of empirical studies addressing ostensibly the same research question. Meta-analysis has become an increasingly popular and valuable tool in psychological research, and significant review articles typically employ these methods. Article: Meta-Analysis in Medical Research Epidemiology According to the Centers for Disease Control, Epidemiology is the method used to find the causes of health outcomes and diseases in populations. In epidemiology, the patient is the community and individuals are viewed collectively. By definition, epidemiology is the study (scientific, systematic, and data-driven) of the distribution (frequency, pattern) and determinants (causes, risk factors) of health-related states and events (not just diseases) in specified populations (neighborhood, school, city, state, country, global). Article: Epidemiology is a Science of High Importance Longitudinal Studies Longitudinal Study, an epidemiologic study that follows a population forward over time, evaluating the effects of one or more variables on a process. If individuals are followed, it is termed a longitudinal cohort study. If classes—e.g., age classes—are studied, it is a longitudinal cross-sectional study. Longitudinal studies are the converse (opposite) of horizontal (parallel) studies. Article Longitudinal Studies

Paper For Above instruction

Based on the provided course reading assignments and the specifics of my pending research problem, I believe I am conducting a mixed methods research study that integrates both qualitative and quantitative approaches to explore the research question comprehensively. This conclusion stems from an understanding that my research aims to capture both the numerical data necessary for statistical analysis and the contextual richness needed to understand the underlying phenomena. The choice of a mixed methods approach aligns with the complexity of my research problem, which involves understanding not only the measurable outcomes but also the subjective experiences and perceptions of the participants involved.

Firstly, the descriptive aspect of my study aligns with the characteristics of descriptive research as outlined in the course materials. Specifically, I am aiming to accurately depict the participants, their behaviors, attitudes, or perceptions concerning the research topic. Tools such as surveys or questionnaires will be employed to gather quantitative data, enabling me to describe the distribution, frequency, and patterns among my sample population. This aligns with the survey method described in the course, allowing for succinct data collection that provides an overview of participant characteristics and responses.

In addition to the descriptive component, my study incorporates observational techniques to record behaviors or phenomena directly, which falls under observational research. These direct observations will complement survey data by providing real-time, contextual insights that are not easily captured through self-report instruments. Combining observational data with quantitative surveys allows for triangulation—validating the findings across different data sources— and enhances the robustness of my study.

Moreover, the qualitative aspect features in-depth case studies focusing on individual or group experiences. This aligns with the case study approach mentioned in course materials, providing rich, detailed insights into specific instances or phenomena related to my research question. Collecting qualitative data through interviews or focus groups will allow me to explore underlying motivations, perceptions, and contextual factors that quantitative data alone cannot reveal.

Importantly, the integration of these methodologies will facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the research problem. The use of mixed methods research, as described in the course literature, is particularly relevant for health research, where understanding both the measurable impacts and subjective experiences is crucial. In addition, my research may incorporate elements of epidemiology and longitudinal studies if I am examining health outcomes over time in a population, tracking risk factors, and the distribution of health-related events. This approach would enable me to understand not just the snapshot of current conditions but also the trends and causal factors over time, aligning with longitudinal study designs described in the course.

In conclusion, I believe my research is best characterized as a mixed methods study because it combines quantitative data collection to describe and analyze patterns among the population with qualitative methods to understand deeper experiential and contextual aspects. This comprehensive approach, supported by the course materials and extra references, enhances the validity and depth of my findings, making it the most appropriate research design for addressing my complex research problem effectively.

References

• Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.
• Fetters, M. D., Curry, L. A., & Creswell, J. W. (2013). Achieving Integration in Mixed Methods Designs — Principles and Practices. Health Services Research, 48(6pt2), 2134–2156.
• Johnson, R. B., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2004). Mixed Methods Research: A Research Paradigm Whose Time Has Come. Educational Researcher, 33(7), 14–26.
• Hanson, W. E., Creswell, J. W., Clark, V. L., Petska, K. S., & Creswell, J. D. (2005). Negotiating Positionality in Qualitative Research. Qualitative Inquiry, 11(3), 554–569.
• Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Leech, N. L. (2007). Validity and Qualitative Research. Qualitative Report, 12(4), 680–701.
• Palinkas, L. A., Horwitz, S. M., Green, C. A., Wisdom, J. P., Duan, N., & Hoagwood, K. (2011). Purposeful Sampling for Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis in Mixed Method Implementation Research. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 38(1), 17–28.
• Department of Health & Human Services. (2010). Principles of Epidemiology. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Hernán, M. A., & Robins, J. M. (2016). Using Big Data to Emulate a Target Trial Doing Meta-Analysis and Longitudinal Data Analysis. European Journal of Epidemiology, 31(9), 885–885.
• Fletcher, R. H., & Fletcher, S. W. (2014). Clinical Epidemiology: The Essentials (5th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
• Gill, P., Stewart, K., Treasure, E., & Chadwick, B. (2008). Methods of Data Collection in Qualitative Research: Interviews and Focus Groups. British Dental Journal, 204(6), 291–295.