Defining the Boundaries of Case Studies - Essay Example

DEFINING THE BOUNDARIES OF A CASE STUDIES Research can be defined as a systematic scientific search for information on a topic that is specific. In involves searching of knowledge through systematic methods and objectives so that a solution can be found to a problem. In a simple way, it can be referred to as the search for knowledge. However in order for this research to be conducted, a planning process needs to take place. This is to ensure that the research process is implemented effectively. Therefore, what is research planning? A plan can be defined as a course of action that is predetermined (Creswell, 2002). It has a purpose to evolve a sound, realistic and defensible program of action. Therefore, a research plan intends to give an answer to all the questions that are pertinent when it comes to conducting actual research. The research plan should therefore cover the specific time frame, it should be flexible and always a bottom to top hierarchy levels should be involved in the process of research planning (Creswell, 2002). This paper therefore seeks to discuss research planning through identifying Preliminary decisions that need to be made relative to types and source of evidence, Sampling strategies to be used for each type or source of evidence, Strategies for choosing the most appropriate technology tools for data management and analysis, Criteria to be used to make these decisions, and the advantages and disadvantages of each choice. Additionally, it will support the chosen decision-making process with rationale. Finally, the essay will give a short summery conclusion on the findings. Preliminary decisions that need to be made relative to types and sources of evidence The types and sources of evidence that are to be used in any research would depend on many factors. This may include the purpose of the research, the time that is available for the research study and the accessibility of the resources. For instance, in my case the research topic is: effective violence prevention activities within a community set up. This research topic focuses on some of the violence prevention techniques that can be adopted to ensure violence is reduced at community level. Therefore when deciding on the best evidence types and sources to use in this study. The following preliminary decisions are instrumental: Messick, (2001) identifies: Definition of the various evidence forms available; identifying the standards of rigor that the best available research evidence may apply; the sources as well as ways of collecting the evidence that is contextual and experimental too needs to be taken in to consideration. These decisions will enable one to evaluate the usability and accessibility of the evidence to be used in the research study. The evidence decision will broadly cut across these three areas: contextual evidence; experimental evidence and best available research evidence. However, all these will be influenced by the time available for the study and the accessibility as well as usability of the evidence. Hence the above constitute the preliminary decisions that need to be taken in relation to the evidence type and source. Sampling strategies to be used for each type or source of evidence According to Verd, (2004), different evidence sources and types have different sampling strategies usable on them. For instance in my case: ‘effective violence prevention activities within a community set up’, the following sampling strategies may be usefully applied. The first sampling strategy ij this case would be probability sampling. This will give all the individuals within the specified community where the study is conducted equal opportunity to be selected for the study. Therefore the research study will employ the use of randomization as a way to ensure that the chance of each individual member of the community to be selected is equal. This implies that any sample selected will thus be a perfect re[presentation of the entire community population. This will eliminate or minimize the systematic bias thereby giving the difference between the sample and that of the population. Additionally, sampling bias will be done away with since randomization is carried out on the samples (Verd, 2004). The various probability sampling that can be applied in this case therefore include: stratified random sampling where the subjects can be grouped in to different classes which may include age, gender or socio-economic status after which a final list is selected from the different strata. Stratified random sampling will give the best violence prevention activity that is applicable on a given strata (Verd, 2004). A system random sampling could as well be used. This is much akin to an arithmetic progression where there is the same difference between any two consecutive numbers. House numbers could be used in this case. i.e 5, 11, 17, 23. Strategies for choosing the most appropriate technology tools for data management and analysis Choosing the most appropriate technology and tools for data management and analysis is critical to the success and accuracy of the study. Data analysis involves systematic application of statistical as well as logical techniques to describe and give illustrations and evaluate the research data. Patterns are analyzed in observations throughout the phase of data collection. Therefore, the most appropriate technology chosen for analysis of data in a research study should involve the following. Shim, Warkentin, Courtney, Power, Sharda, & Carlsson, (2002), explains: First, reliability and validity of the technology used. The technology adopted for data analysis and management must be reliable. This implies that it must perform functions consistently according to the specifications required. Also validity of the technology is important consideration. This relates to how valid the technology will make the causal inferences in the study. This implies: it should not be biased. Secondly, the technology choice should also take in to consideration the usability. The person using the given technology must have the necessary technical skills to enable proper use of the technology in analysis and management of the data . As the tech savvy would always say, garbage in, garbage out. This implies improper use of the technology will lead to inaccurate of wrong results. Third, the technology adopted must be able to determine the statistical significance which implies to the likelihood of relationship observed in the sample could just be attributed to the sampling error alone. Finally, the technology chosen should be able to provide for information sharing so that the information is made available to others who may need it either as raw data or analyzed information. Criteria to be used to make these decisions, and the advantages and disadvantages of each choice The criteria to be used in deciding which technology to use for instance is informed by the nature of the study, the outcome measurements, statistical significance and the extent of analysis. However, the skills of the researcher on use of technology also determine the criteria for decision making. The advantages of each of these choices include the following: first is the sustainability aspect where the technology can be sustainably used to ensure research is conducted over and over again. Secondly, the appropriate to the context applied. The technology adopted if appropriate ensures ethical considerations in research are taken care of. Political and economic aspects as well will come in to play since appropriate technology will be cost effective (Hoepfl, 1997). Conclusion This essay has therefore found out that a research plan intends to give an answer to all the questions that are pertinent when it comes to conducting actual research. Additionally, it has discussed research planning through identifying Preliminary decisions that need to be made relative to types and source of evidence, sampling strategies to be used for each type or source of evidence which include probabilistic sampling methods. Also discussed is the Strategies for choosing the most appropriate technology tools for data management and analysis which include reliability and validity among others. Criteria to be used to make these decisions, and the advantages and disadvantages of each choice have also been explained exhaustively. Reference Creswell, J. W. (2002). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative. Prentice Hall. Hoepfl, M. C. (1997). Choosing qualitative research: A primer for technology education researchers. Messick, S. (2001). Validity. ETS Research Report Series, 2001(2), i-208. Shim, J. P., Warkentin, M., Courtney, J. F., Power, D. J., Sharda, R., & Carlsson, C. (2002). Past, present, and future of decision support technology.Decision support systems, 33(2), 111-126. Verd, J. M. (2004). Qualitative research methods. Read More