Week 5 Discussion - Due Feb 10, 9:59 PM MCJ 6985 Applied Pro

Week 5 Discussion - Due Feb 10, :59 PMMCJ6985-Applied Professional Project

The discussion assignment provides a forum for discussing relevant topics for this week based on the course competencies covered. For this assignment, make sure you post your initial response to the Discussion Area by the due date assigned. Provide a detailed response to the topic questions in the Discussion Area. For this assignment, post your responses directly in the Discussion Area; do not attach any documents. To support your work, make sure you use your course and text readings.

When asked, also use outside sources. As in all assignments, cite the sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format. Start reviewing and responding to the postings of your classmates as early in the week as possible. Respond to at least two of your classmates. Participate in the discussion by asking a question, providing a statement of clarification, providing a point of view with a rationale, challenging an aspect of the discussion, or indicating a relationship between two or more lines of reasoning in the discussion.

Complete your participation for this assignment by the end of the week. Qualitative Methods In this assignment, you'll explore the qualitative methods that could be used to collect data in your area of research. On the basis of your exploration, respond to the following points: Explain the observations that you would conduct to collect data and discuss what you would expect to learn through these observations. If surveys or interviews would be appropriate, describe how you would proceed and what you would expect to learn. Note: This assignment and the discussion with your classmates will lay the foundation for the Week 6 Project. Week 5 Discussion Discussion Topic Due February 10 at 11:59 PM

Paper For Above instruction

The exploration of qualitative methods is essential in understanding the nuances and depth of data particularly in applied professional settings such as social sciences, public health, and organizational research. Qualitative research methods allow researchers to gain rich, detailed insights that are often not accessible through quantitative approaches alone. In this discussion, I will examine observational techniques, surveys, and interviews as qualitative data collection strategies, discussing their implementation and expected outcomes within my research context.

Observational Methods and Expected Learnings

Observations constitute a foundational qualitative method, allowing researchers to document behaviors, interactions, and contextual dynamics as they naturally occur. In my area of research—public health interventions within community settings—I would conduct non-participant observations during community meetings and health workshops. These observations would focus on participant engagement, communication patterns, and environmental factors influencing health behaviors. By systematically recording these interactions, I expect to learn how the community members interact with health educators, identify barriers faced during health promotion activities, and understand the social dynamics impacting health decisions. Such insights can shed light on tacit behaviors and social norms that influence health outcomes, which might be overlooked in self-report data.

Surveys and Interviews: Implementation and Expected Insights

Surveys and interviews are valuable tools for eliciting detailed perspectives and subjective experiences. In my research, structured interviews with key informants—such as community health workers and local leaders—would provide nuanced insights into barriers and facilitators of health program success. The interviews would be semi-structured, allowing for guided yet flexible conversations aimed at understanding personal experiences, perceptions, and attitudes towards health interventions. From these interviews, I anticipate gaining a deeper understanding of contextual factors, cultural beliefs, and individual motivations that influence health behaviors.

Similarly, open-ended surveys administered to community members could collect data on personal health practices, perceived challenges, and suggestions for improvement. Analyzing these responses would reveal common themes and patterns that inform tailored interventions. Combining observational data with interview and survey insights offers a comprehensive picture of the social and cultural landscape affecting health initiatives, facilitating the development of more culturally sensitive and effective programs.

Conclusion

Qualitative data collection methods such as observations, interviews, and surveys are indispensable for capturing the complexities of human behavior and social contexts. Observations provide real-time, contextual insights; interviews reveal subjective experiences; and surveys gather broad perspectives. Employing these methods in tandem can enhance understanding and inform more effective, culturally responsive interventions in applied professional environments. As research progresses into Week 6, integrating these qualitative approaches will be critical in developing a robust analysis of the targeted phenomena.

References

• Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage publications.
• Kvale, S., & Brinkmann, S. (2015). Interviews: Learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing. Sage publications.
• Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods. Sage publications.
• Charmaz, K. (2014). Constructing grounded theory (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.
• Berg, B. L. (2009). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences. Pearson.
• Saldaña, J. (2015). The coding manual for qualitative researchers. Sage Publications.
• Maxwell, J. A. (2013). Qualitative research design: An interactive approach. Sage Publications.
• Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage Publications.
• Flick, U. (2014). An introduction to qualitative research. Sage Publications.
• Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., Nicholls, C. M., & Ormston, R. (2013). Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers. Sage Publications.