Chapter 6: Descriptive research design, mixed methods and meta-analysis & Chapter 7: Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies Read Chapter 6 & 7 Based on your course reading assignments (Chapters 6 and 7) as well as your pending research problem, what type of study do you believe you are conducting, and please explain why?
Based on the course reading assignments (Chapters 6 and 7) and my pending research problem, I believe that I am conducting a descriptive research study with mixed methods and meta-analysis. This type of study design would be appropriate for gaining a comprehensive understanding of my research topic and addressing the complexity of the phenomenon under investigation.
Descriptive research aims to systematically describe and interpret existing conditions, events, or phenomena. It is concerned with providing an accurate and detailed account of a particular situation or phenomenon. This research design is particularly suitable when the goal is to understand the nature and characteristics of a research topic.
In my research problem, I am interested in investigating the impact of a specific educational intervention on student learning outcomes. To achieve this, I would need to collect data on various aspects of the intervention and its effects. Descriptive research would help me gain insight into the current state of student learning outcomes, prior to the implementation of the intervention. By examining existing conditions and characteristics, I can identify any patterns or variations that might exist in student performance. This information would serve as a baseline against which the effects of the intervention can be evaluated.
Moreover, I mentioned mixed methods in my chosen research design. This approach involves the integration of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques. By incorporating qualitative methods such as interviews or focus groups, I can explore the subjective experiences and perceptions of students and educators towards the intervention. This will help me gain a deeper understanding of the complex factors that may influence the effectiveness of the intervention. Additionally, the use of quantitative methods, such as pre- and post-tests, will allow me to measure and analyze the numerical impact of the intervention on student learning outcomes.
Furthermore, meta-analysis is another component that I included in my study design. Meta-analysis is a statistical technique used to integrate the findings from multiple studies on a specific topic. Conducting a meta-analysis would enable me to summarize and synthesize the existing empirical evidence on the effectiveness of similar educational interventions. By pooling data from multiple studies, I can obtain a more robust estimate of the effect size and explore potential sources of variation between studies, such as sample characteristics or intervention components. This would provide me with a comprehensive overview of the existing knowledge in the field and allow me to identify any gaps or inconsistencies in the literature.
In summary, I believe that my research study would involve a descriptive research design with mixed methods and meta-analysis. This choice is appropriate for addressing the complexity of my research problem and obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the educational intervention on student learning outcomes. By incorporating qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, I can examine the phenomenon from multiple perspectives. Additionally, by conducting a meta-analysis, I can synthesize the existing empirical evidence and identify gaps in the literature. This research design will provide a rich and nuanced understanding of the research topic, allowing for evidence-based recommendations and implications for practice.