Qualitative research methods - Essay Example

Assignment # 2 Research Methods According to the National alert registry, in the USA alone there are over two thousand children missing one year; also that there are over 400,000 registered sex offenders in America out of which 25% are female. One cannot help but be astounded when presented with these statistics which makes researching and understanding sexual offenders of critical importance to come up with treatments which result in the onset of this behavior. The selection of such a crucial area mingled with a curious desire to learn about the risk factors it entails can lead to a great social contribution.

The topic interlinks with that of my own research interest, that is, the study of criminology. In fact sex offences fall under the category of criminology with a focus on just sex offenders. Together the two constitute to the betterment of the society with similar outcomes of criminal treatment, public policies, and effectiveness of punishment and analysis of underlying causes. References: National Alert Registry. Neighborhood predator report. Retrieved from: http://www.sexoffenderfinder.com/statistics.

htm Assignment # 3 • Choose one of the above questions that could be studied with a quantitative research method. In a concise paragraph, state the question and then explain why you would choose a quantitative approach for this question. The question that could be studied keeping in mind a quantitative research method is ‘Are physical activity programs in elementary schools related to academic performance?’ There are several reasons why this question can be addressed effectively using a quantitative approach.

The basic aim of a quantitative research is to classify features, count them and then aid the explanation of your observation with the use of statistical models. Keeping that in mind to judge the relationship between physical activity and academic performance the relevant data for various elementary schools can be retrieved and then analyzed to see whether a relationship between the two variables exists. Furthermore to accentuate the affiliation between these variables a statistical model can be used.

This will address the main objective of the research that requires quantitative facts in terms of statistics and numbers and a focus on objectivity and not subjective matter (Miles & Huberman, 1994). The tools for research used can be that of surveys and questionnaires which seek precise measurement and analysis of target concepts. References Miles & Huberman. (1994). Qualitative Data Analysis. p. 40. • Choose one of the above questions that could be studied with a qualitative research method.

In a concise paragraph, state the question and then explain why you would choose a qualitative approach for this question. To approach a research keeping in mind a qualitative approach the question that we can most effectively address is that of finding reasons why gay men participate in high-risk behaviors? Qualitative approach for this question will effectively focus upon looking at the perspective of the situation from that of the studied objects and develop concepts and theories which are central on the collected data (Andrew Schwartz).

Simply put qualitative research will put stress on describing and understanding the complex phenomena of the underlying causes for high risk behavior in gay men. Through the use of qualitative research the explanation of the concept can further be used to develop the conceptual bases for proposing a hypothesis in order to clarify the phenomena. A further advantage can be seen in terms of validity of information obtained as people will be interviewed which would lead to accuracy and believable reports on the subject at hand as their answers would be based on real life experiences and opinions (Knowledge base, Web).

An additional advantage of gathering data through interviews is that it gives the researcher a insight of the perspective of the subject which is the basic objective of the question this research addresses ( Qualitative research, web). References Andrew Schwartz. Qualitative research methods. Retrieved from: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Advantages-And-Disadvantages-Of-The-Qualitative-Research-Methods/208266 Qualitative research. Electronic textbook – an introduction to intervieweing.

Retrieved from: http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~mid/edr725/class/interviewing/introduction/reading4-1-1.html Research Methods. Knowledge base. Retrieved from: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/intrview.php