Designing Research for Meaningful Results in Educational Leadership

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Moran Jackson ◽  
Ric Brown
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Specific Method ◽  
Data Types ◽  
Data Repositories ◽  
Analytic Process ◽  
Quantitative Results

Making appropriate methodological and analytic decisions in educational research requires a thorough grounding in the literature and a thorough understanding of the chosen methodology. Detailed preplanning is important for all method types and includes an understanding of the assumptions, limitations, and delimitations of the study. For quantitative research, researchers should be cautious with data analysis decisions that give preference to statistically significant results, noting that quantitative research can proceed with intents other than confirmatory hypothesis testing. Decisions and procedures that are used to search for low p values, rather than answer the driving research question, are especially problematic. Presentation of quantitative results should include components that clarify and account for analytic choices, that report all relevant statistical results, and that provide sufficient information to replicate the study. Consideration should also be given to joining recent initiatives for more transparency in research with the use of preregistered studies and open data repositories. For qualitative research, researchers should be thoughtful about choosing a specific method for their project that appropriately matches the method’s framework and analytic procedures with the research aim and anticipated sample. Qualitative researchers should also strive for transparency in their method description by allowing for a view of the analytic process that drove the data collection and iterative dives into the data. Presentation of qualitative results requires a balance between providing a compelling narrative that establishes the trustworthiness of results with the judicious use of participant voices. Mixed methods research also requires appropriate integration of different data types.

Moving from Tension to Texture

2016 ◽  
pp. 28-38
Author(s):  
Preston B. Cosgrove ◽  
Peter M. Jonas
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Research Paradigm ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Research Paradigms ◽  
Puzzle Box

Much like a jigsaw puzzle box top guides one in how to connect the pieces, an individual's research paradigm operates as a conscious or subconscious influence in conducting a research project. This chapter starts by making the argument for the critical role of research paradigms before moving into a thorough investigation of the paradigmatic origins of the qualitative-quantitative “debate.” While mixed-methods research is often seen as the mediator in the dispute, the authors then articulate four broad ways in which mixed methods research addresses the paradigm divide at the heart of qualitative and quantitative research. The result is paradigmatically complex, but offers researchers flexibility as they seek to address their research question.

Survey Research

2019 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Story ◽  
Alan R. Tait
Keyword(s):  
Survey Research ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Adequate Response ◽  
Survey Questions ◽  
Margin Of Error ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Attitudes And Knowledge

Abstract SUMMARY Surveys provide evidence on practice, attitudes, and knowledge. However, conducting good survey research is harder than it looks. The authors aim to provide guidance to both researchers and readers in conducting and interpreting survey research. Like all research, surveys should have clear research question(s) using the smallest possible number of high-quality, essential, survey questions (items) that will interest the target population. Both researchers and readers should put themselves in the position of the respondents. The survey questions should provide reproducible results (reliable), measure what they are supposed to measure (valid), and take less than 10 min to answer. Good survey research reports provide results with valid and reliable answers to the research question with an adequate response rate (at least 40%) and adequate precision (margin of error ideally 5% or less). Possible biases among those who did not respond (nonresponders) must be carefully analyzed and discussed. Quantitative results can be combined with qualitative results in mixed-methods research to provide greater insight.

scholarly journals Data Integration: A Real-Time, Participant-Driven, and Visually Supported Method

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elitsa Alexander ◽  
Martin J. Eppler ◽  
Alice Comi
Keyword(s):  
Data Integration ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Visual Display ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Real Time Data ◽  
Quantitative Results

We introduce a method in which instant data visualization facilitates real-time data integration and involves participants in data interpretation. The results of quantitative research (e.g., electronic card sorting) are represented visually (e.g., in a dendrogram) and fed back to research participants in follow-up focus group conversations. The visualized quantitative results are reviewed and discussed by participants. The visual display of the quantitative results is annotated with qualitative feedback generated by participants that explains, enriches, or challenges the quantitative results. We apply our method in a card sorting study of Fédération Internationale de Football Association’s (FIFA) stakeholders. An approach that facilitates real-time data integration that is participant driven and visually supported is the unique contribution of this article to mixed methods research.

scholarly journals Commentary—After Triangulation, What Next?

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Comparison Of Results ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Tests Of Hypotheses

This commentary agrees with the editors’ recent decision to do away with triangulation as a term in mixed methods research, but before doing so, it argues for a review of its original popularity, and a careful consideration of what should replace it. Triangulation depends on the comparison of results from qualitative and quantitative studies that attempt to answer the same research question(s), so there are three possible outcomes: convergence, complementarity, and divergence. After reviewing each of these alternatives, I present an approach that cross-tabulates tests of hypotheses as quantitative results and themes as qualitative results, based on the extent to which those results are convergent, complementary, or divergent.

Ascertaining the Role of Leadership on Employee Satisfaction in Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province of South Africa Using Qualitative Research

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kingstone Mutsonziwa ◽  
Philip Serumaga-Zake
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Employee Satisfaction ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
Career Growth ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Mixed Approach

This paper is based on the study a Doctor of Business Leadership (DBL) thesis titled A Statistical Model for Employee Satisfaction in the Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province. The purpose of this study was to identify the attributes that affect employee satisfaction in the Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province, South Africa. In order to address the overall objective of this study, the researcher used a two-tiered (mixed) approach in which both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were used to complement and enrich the results. This paper is only based on the qualitative component of the study on leadership aspects based on six leaders (two from Social research and four from Market research) that were interviewed. The leaders were selected based on their knowledge of the industry and the expertise they have. Participation in the survey was voluntary. This paper illustrates the power of the qualitative techniques to uncover or unmask the leadership aspects in the Market and Social Research Industries and also gives the human touch to the quantitative results. It was found that leadership and management within the Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province must ensure that they are accommodative in terms of mentoring their subordinates. The industry is driven by quality driven processes and strong leadership. More importantly, issues of a good working environment, remuneration, career growth, and recognition must always be addressed in order to increase employee satisfaction, reduce staff turnover, and attempt to optimize labour productivity. The qualitative findings also help a deeper understanding of leadership within the industry.

scholarly journals Neighbourhood Modelling for Urban Sustainability Assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4654
Author(s):  
Javier Orozco-Messana ◽  
Milagro Iborra-Lucas ◽  
Raimon Calabuig-Moreno
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Urban Policy ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Policy Impact ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Data Repositories ◽  
Digital Twins ◽  
Climate Action

Climate change is becoming a dominant concern for advanced countries. The Paris Agreement sets out a global framework whose implementation relates to all human activities and is commonly guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), which set the scene for sustainable development performance configuring all climate action related policies. Fast control of CO2 emissions necessarily involves cities since they are responsible for 70 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities) is clearly involved in the deployment of SDG 13 (Climate Action). European Sustainability policies are financially guided by the European Green Deal for a climate neutral urban environment. In turn, a common framework for urban policy impact assessment must be based on architectural design tools, such as building certification, and common data repositories for standard digital building models. Many Neighbourhood Sustainability Assessment (NSA) tools have been developed but the growing availability of open data repositories for cities, together with big-data sources (provided through Internet of Things repositories), allow accurate neighbourhood simulations, or in other words, digital twins of neighbourhoods. These digital twins are excellent tools for policy impact assessment. After a careful analysis of current scientific literature, this paper provides a generic approach for a simple neighbourhood model developed from building physical parameters which meets relevant assessment requirements, while simultaneously being updated (and tested) against real open data repositories, and how this assessment is related to building certification tools. The proposal is validated by real data on energy consumption and on its application to the Benicalap neighbourhood in Valencia (Spain).

The Influence of Book Blogs on the Buying Decisions of German Readers

LOGOS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-52
Author(s):  
Kim Maya Sutton ◽  
Ina Paulfeuerborn
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Book Trade ◽  
Book Market ◽  
Buying Behaviour ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Buying Decisions

In October 2014, over 200 million blogs were registered on the platform Tumblr alone. In 2015, hundreds of book blogs in the blogosphere concentrated on literature and published reviews, cover designs, direct insights from publishers, author interviews, and competitions. Based on the research question ‘Do literature blogs have an influence on the buying decisions of readers?’ quantitative research was carried out in Germany at the beginning of 2016. The focus of the research was book blogs targeting readers of light fiction. A survey was sent to online portals, such as Lovelybooks, and thereby distributed to readers. Literature bloggers were also asked to participate by forwarding the survey to their followers. The survey gives insight into readers’ motivation to visit literature blogs. Furthermore, it highlights what kind of information readers want to find on such blogs, and how blogs can influence readers’ buying behaviour. The findings of the survey are compared with a model for buying decisions. The findings will be helpful for publishers, self-publishers, book trade, and bloggers. The most obvious limitation of the survey is the geographic limitation to Germany and its book market; however, the survey could easily be translated and extended to include other markets.

scholarly journals Information disclosure, privacy behaviours, and attitudes regarding employer surveillance of social networking sites

IFLA Journal ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-222
Author(s):  
Deirdre McGuinness ◽  
Anoush Simon
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Information Disclosure ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Social Networking Site ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Privacy Settings ◽  
System Errors

This paper explores the use of social networking sites amongst the student population of a Welsh university, with particular respect to information-sharing and privacy behaviours, and the potential impact of social networking site checks by employers on future use of these sites. A mixed-methods research design incorporating both quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed to investigate the research question. Results demonstrated that participants were concerned with maintaining privacy online, and were careful with regards to posting and protecting information on social networking sites; however, protective measures were imperfect due to human and system errors. Most respondents were aware of social networking site surveillance, with many noting that this would have an impact on their future use; however, users are active in protecting their privacy through a combination of use of privacy settings and varied levels of information disclosure dependent on context.

scholarly journals Resources available for autism research in the big data era: a systematic review

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e2880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reem Al-jawahiri ◽  
Elizabeth Milne
Keyword(s):  
Human Brain ◽  
Brain Connectivity ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Data Types ◽  
Participant Recruitment ◽  
Data Resource ◽  
Autism Research ◽  
Great Heterogeneity ◽  
Google Search

Recently, there has been a move encouraged by many stakeholders towards generating big, open data in many areas of research. One area where big, open data is particularly valuable is in research relating to complex heterogeneous disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The inconsistencies of findings and the great heterogeneity of ASD necessitate the use of big and open data to tackle important challenges such as understanding and defining the heterogeneity and potential subtypes of ASD. To this end, a number of initiatives have been established that aim to develop big and/or open data resources for autism research. In order to provide a useful data reference for autism researchers, a systematic search for ASD data resources was conducted using the Scopus database, the Google search engine, and the pages on ‘recommended repositories’ by key journals, and the findings were translated into a comprehensive list focused on ASD data. The aim of this review is to systematically search for all available ASD data resources providing the following data types: phenotypic, neuroimaging, human brain connectivity matrices, human brain statistical maps, biospecimens, and ASD participant recruitment. A total of 33 resources were found containing different types of data from varying numbers of participants. Description of the data available from each data resource, and links to each resource is provided. Moreover, key implications are addressed and underrepresented areas of data are identified.

scholarly journals TaxoNERD: deep neural models for the recognition of taxonomic entities in the ecological and evolutionary literature

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Le Guillarme ◽  
Wilfried Thuiller
Keyword(s):  
Information Extraction ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Named Entity Recognition ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Entity Recognition ◽  
Data Repositories ◽  
Biodiversity Crisis ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Ecological Information ◽  
Gold Standard Corpus

1. Given the biodiversity crisis, we more than ever need to access information on multiple taxa (e.g. distribution, traits, diet) in the scientific literature to understand, map and predict all-inclusive biodiversity. Tools are needed to automatically extract useful information from the ever-growing corpus of ecological texts and feed this information to open data repositories. A prerequisite is the ability to recognise mentions of taxa in text, a special case of named entity recognition (NER). In recent years, deep learning-based NER systems have become ubiqutous, yielding state-of-the-art results in the general and biomedical domains. However, no such tool is available to ecologists wishing to extract information from the biodiversity literature. 2. We propose a new tool called TaxoNERD that provides two deep neural network (DNN) models to recognise taxon mentions in ecological documents. To achieve high performance, DNN-based NER models usually need to be trained on a large corpus of manually annotated text. Creating such a gold standard corpus (GSC) is a laborious and costly process, with the result that GSCs in the ecological domain tend to be too small to learn an accurate DNN model from scratch. To address this issue, we leverage existing DNN models pretrained on large biomedical corpora using transfer learning. The performance of our models is evaluated on four GSCs and compared to the most popular taxonomic NER tools. 3. Our experiments suggest that existing taxonomic NER tools are not suited to the extraction of ecological information from text as they performed poorly on ecologically-oriented corpora, either because they do not take account of the variability of taxon naming practices, or because they do not generalise well to the ecological domain. Conversely, a domain-specific DNN-based tool like TaxoNERD outperformed the other approaches on an ecological information extraction task. 4. Efforts are needed in order to raise ecological information extraction to the same level of performance as its biomedical counterpart. One promising direction is to leverage the huge corpus of unlabelled ecological texts to learn a language representation model that could benefit downstream tasks. These efforts could be highly beneficial to ecologists on the long term.

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