Research Role in All Fields of Studies - Essay Example

Sara Madani Dr. Karen Bradley Intro to social research QUESTIONNAIRES Introduction The research topic for the study aims to investigate how consumption of foreign news affects international awareness. The level of consumption of the foreign news affects global recognition. Unlike in the ancient days when information was limited or restricted, the advent of social media and technological advancement has drastically transformed the delivery of news. People who are miles away can receive regular news updates at the comfort of their homes. Conversely, accessibility of news reports has become easier than it was in the previous years. The active consumption of foreign news has both positive and negative implications for the recipients. For instance, news regarding terrorist activities can spread out rapidly. The impact of such news is that it likely to create fear to countries that are neighbors to the affected country. In addition, the fear generated may cause tension in the borderlines something that may become a catalyst for a major war. In the current years, people depend on television, social media, radios, the Internet, and other forms of media to receive regular news updates. The study sort to establish how the consumption of international news affected global awareness. A questionnaire was administered to a sample where the respondents were asked a number of questions about current global events such as the resurgence of the Islamic State and the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict. The primary objective of the research was to discover how active consumption of foreign news affects international awareness. Research design The cross-sectional design was used to investigate the validity of the hypothesis. A cross-sectional study is a study that is based on observation. Usually, data is collected from a sample or population then analyzed. Additionally, data is collected within a stipulated timeframe. The design is in the medical and economic field. Furthermore, a cross-sectional study is used when a study in nature. In most cases, it has to be in a survey form. Ideally, the hypothesis of the study is assumed to be lacking. The essence of the study must be to describe a population or a sample using the findings of the study. In conclusion, the design is also used where the objective of a research is investigating widespread characteristics of the population of interest (121-131).1 The cross-sectional study was a good choice because of the numerous benefits that are with the design. A cross-sectional design is not expensive compared to experiments and case studies. In addition, it consumes lesser time than experiments, case studies, and longitudinal designs. Moreover, the risk factors and can be evaluated while carrying out the investigation. There are no losses that are while carrying out a study to monitor similar studies. However, although the design was used, it had a number of limitations. Finding of a research that has been conducted using the cross-sectional design do not give credible conclusions about the population. The design only uses an overview ideology to infer from the characteristics of the population (121-131).2 Sampling decisions A random sample was used for the study. The aim of using of using a random sample was to save time and cost. The technique is appropriate where each member of a population has an equal opportunity of participating in a research. Questionnaires were administered to respondents who took part in the study. Those were sampled included television viewers, social media user, radio listeners, and internet users. An identification number was allocated to each of the respondents so as to conceal their identities. They were supplied with ten questions where they were expected to answer them using the Linkert scale. The implication of using the technique was to enable the research team to use the responses of the respondents for inference purposes of the whole population (225).3 Data collection technique Data was collected using questionnaires. A survey refers to a set of questions that are for carrying out research. It is for a survey or statistical studies. Respondents are with answers and are expected to choose an appropriate answer among the many alternatives. Often, the questionnaire is delivered to respondents for them to respond within a given timeframe. It is imperative to inform the respondents the scope of the study and assure them the information they provide will be will be treated as confidential. A questionnaire is useful for collecting large amounts of data from a populous area within a short time frame. Additionally, it is a method of collecting data that is less costly compared to other methods (169).4 Casual research and hypothesis The research was casual since it was investigating a phenomenon that is prevalent in the international scene in broadcasting of information. Consequently, the hypothesis of the study was also developed to get a basis for conducting the study. + Hypotheses are used to present ideas whose bases are worth investigating to prove their validity. In order to develop a theory, some terms which are used have to be defined. A hypothesis tries to unearth facts or suppositions albeit a limited level of evidence. Some research questions cannot be unless a study makes certain assumptions. For that reason, a hypothesis is developed to make it possible for the research to be without experiencing hitches. The hypothesis for the study was; Active consumption of foreign news sources positively affects international awareness (169).5 Measurement decisions An inductive analysis was used for the study. In an empirical study, verifiable information is used. In the research, the data was collected from television viewers, internet users, and social media among other users. The independent variable in the study was consumption of foreign news. An independent variable is a factor that influences a dependent variable. It cannot be controlled and influences the outcomes. The dependent variable was international awareness. A dependent variable primarily depends on the independent variable .Consumption of international news is a factor that cannot be controlled. Consequently, global recognition depends on the consumption levels (79).6 Analysis Data collected from research work can be presented by using tables, charts, histograms, and other forms of the presentation. Tables can be used to compute mean, median, mode, correlations and variances among other statistical parameters. In the investigation, the mean was used to determine how regular consumption of foreign news influences international awareness. The use of the mean was appropriate because it gives the general perception of the effect of the international news on international awareness (291).7 The research team picked a neutral place in the University library. The location was the most convenient since all categories of students could be found here. Hence, the sample was free from bias. We stood at the entrance and picked every 3rd student who entered the library. They were requested to participate in filling the questionnaires. In our case, a systematic sampling method was applied. A systematic sampling was used because it is free from bias. Every third person that was picked was provided to fill. In addition, they were notified that they could opt to abstain for the interview whereas those who agreed were directed to a booth and given and the opportunity to fill them privately. Once they had completed filling them, the questionnaires were picked and sealed for the purpose of confidentiality. Lastly, every respondent was appreciated for taking part in the survey. The research team picked a neutral place in the University library. The location was the most convenient since all categories of students could be found here. Hence, the sample was free from bias. We stood at the entrance and picked every 3rd student who entered the library. They were requested to participate in filling the questionnaires. In our case, a systematic sampling method was applied. A systematic sampling was used because it is free from bias. Every third person that was picked was provided to fill. In addition, they were notified that they could opt to abstain for the interview whereas those who agreed were directed to a booth and given and the opportunity to fill them privately. Once they had completed filling them, the questionnaires were picked and sealed for the purpose of confidentiality. Lastly, every respondent was appreciated for taking part in the survey (225)8. Bivarate variable Consumption of foreign news International awareness Conclusion Research plays an imperative role in all fields of studies. The primary objective of many research works is to establish gaps that exist in the existing literatures and fill them. In addition, research may also be carried out to verify whether the findings of other publishers are valid or invalid. Before undertaking any research work, researchers must come up with appropriate tools and designs. The design of a study may be either an experiment, case study, cross-sectional or longitudinal. All forms of designs have their advantages and shortcomings. While choosing an appropriate research design, issues such as time, cost, and the population have to be considered. A researcher is at liberty to choose the design he/she deems is appropriate for the study he/she is undertaking. In addition, the cost is always a constraint to most studies hence many of them prefer using designs that are less costly. Consequently, samples are mostly used by most researchers because they are less costly compared to other methods. Data is also crucial in any research. Questionnaires are primarily used to collect data that is used for a study. Generally, respondents are given an opportunity to give their responses to the topic of discussion. In the study that was conducted, to investigate how dissemination of foreign news affected international awareness respondents were given questionnaires in which they were required to answers pertaining to the topic. The information was then collected and summarized into meaningful information. Questionnaires are the most appropriate tools that can be used to collect data for any study. The respondents are an opportunity to respond to the questions and provide independent answers about the topic of investigation (351).9 Bibliography Kumar, R. (2014). Research Methodology, a Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners. Sage Publications. Read More