Marital and Partner Harmony in Relation to Positive Outcomes for Children - Case Study Example

Marital and Partner Harmony in Relation to Positive Outcomes for Children s Marital and Partner Harmony in Relation to Positive Outcomes for Children Sampling Plan for the Proposed Qualitative Study Goal of Research The aim of the qualitative study is to investigate the existence of a relationship between ethnic minorities parenting in correlation to positive outcomes for children. The research seeks to explain or describe the lack or presence of the link between the two variables. Data will be collected from individuals belonging to the ethnic minorities who have experienced both positive and negative outcomes of their parental behavior. According to various researches conducted, it has been proved that authoritative parenting is more common among the European-American parents in comparison to ethnic minority parents. Furthermore, the Asian-American and African-American parents are extremely authoritarian in their practices of parenting than the white parents (Bowman et al., 2007). It is also argued that, parenting that is authoritarian might have positive outcomes on the psychological adjustment of ethnic minority especially in their academic achievement. Thus, the research will seek to investigate if the latter statement is true. Methods of Data Collection In qualitative data deriving, the method of data collection will be conducting of interviews with the participants constituting the research sample. The interviews will be face to face for purposes of ensuring information free flow since the participants might become reluctant to participate in observations and focus groups. As such, the end result will be yielding of data that is not rich as intended. Sampling Design The sampling design that will be used in my research is the non-probability sampling. This is because the number of authoritative ethnic minority parents is unknown to me as a researcher. Moreover, the focus of my research will be to obtain in-depth data (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2003) from the participants. As such, the design applies by depending on the researcher judgment in the determination of the research sample. In that case, the research sample resurfaces itself in the course of sample determining. Thus, it can either be greater or lower than expected. Sampling method The method that will be used under non-probability sampling is convenience sampling. In that case, I will use college students primarily as a way of convenience. As such, I will sample by requesting for volunteers. The only limitation with this method is that an individual has no evidence whether they are population representatives a researcher may be interested in for purposes of generalization. In addition to that, the sample is always suspected not be a clear representation of the population. Participants’ Protection Ethical care will be applied in the qualitative study. The research sample determination for the survey will rely on my judgment as a researcher in the determination of possible respondents basing on the criteria. This means that I will have to stick to the criteria while assessing the possible research participants. In addition to that, I will avoid interacting directly with the subjects of the research. Their identity will be protected for purposes of protecting them from their parents, teachers, peers and school administrators. I will also be discrete while asking questions that are sensitive to the respondents. Budget Convenience sampling requires a longer period before completion as the researcher needs to be assured that the sample will have the capability of providing in-depth data needed by the qualitative study. In that case, it requires a significant amount of the proposed research budget. However, it is less than that required in the phase of data collection. Sampling Plan for the Proposed Quantitative Study The quantitative study aims to find out the correlation between ethnic minorities parenting in correlation to positive outcomes for children via determining the frequency with which parental behavior is directly linked to the children psychological development. In addition to that, the research will determine the direction and extent of the correlation between these two variables through employing measurement and measures tools. Sampling Design The sample design that will be utilized will be probability sampling as it is the appropriate and applicable method in my study. The method will seek to determine sample respondents by taking representation into consideration. The sample capability of representing a wide population is significant because it ensures the derivation of generalization from research respondent’s description and accounts (Saunders et al., 2003). This enhances the identification of the ratio of individuals likely to be impacted by their parental behaviors. Sampling Method The appropriate method for my research will be simple random sampling. The method involves the random selection of participants from a population segment that is determined by the sampling frame (Saunders et al., 2003). The study sampling frame forms the pool of participants affected by parental behavior. The pool of participants comprises the study sample. In cases where the research sample is too large making it extremely difficult to complete collecting of data within the study time frame, then simple random sampling finds its application in the determination of the final research sample. Participants’ Protection Given the fact that the research respondents are minors and the issue under the study is sensitive, there will be need for me to come up with effective means of ensuring they are protected. In that case, I will ensure that I obtain consent from the schools and parents in the process of collecting data by explaining to them the study purpose and the study contribution to the derivation of the deeper understanding of the situation. In addition to that, I will conduct confident surveys for purposes of ensuring that the participants of the research do not become subject to unnecessary treatment by their parents. In addition to that, I will utilize an approach that is fact-based and deviating away from bias or unnecessary comments to the participants Budget Too much of the research budget is not needed by simple random sampling in comparison to the use of convenience sampling. Quantitative Research Hypothesis Parental authoritativeness might not necessarily have positive outcomes on the psychological adjustment of ethnic minorities especially in their academic achievement. Design of the study: Sampling Criteria The study participants will be recruited from a public college in the United States. For study purposes, one hundred and thirty five (135) ethnic minority youths ranging in the age from thirteen (13yrs) to nineteen (19yrs) will be used as a sample size. The selection will be based on random sampling and the gender will be equally represented. Sampling Procedure Teachers will distribute letters that will have a description of the overall study to students in various classrooms. In addition to that, the students will be instructed to have their guardians or parents read and return the consent forms only if the guardians or parents confirmed their participation. Moreover, adolescent written consent will be required for purposes of participation. The survey will be administered in groups of approximately 10-20 students during their class session. The participants will be treated in reference to the ethical guidelines of American Psychological Association (American Psychological Association Ethics Committee, 1992). Plans for Protecting Human Subjects Given the fact that the youths will take part in the research, I will consider the risks, benefits and discomfort of the research to them and the society at large. While calculating the benefits and risks of their participation, I will consider the participants circumstances under study, the discomforts or risk magnitude that might result from their participation in the research, and the research potential benefits to the class of participants or the participant (Protecting Human Research Subjects, 1993). Instrumentation, Reliability and Validity For purposes of collecting quantitative data, the method of data collection is surveying of the research participants. This will support the study objectives by addressing the requirements needed to determine the frequency and measurement of the link between parental behavior and children psychological development in a wide range of respondents. Two principal characteristics that are significant in the testing and development of surveys is the establishment of their reliability and validity. Validity is the finding out of whether the research instrument measures what it is supposed to describe and measure. On the other hand, reliability is the reproducibility of the research measures. In that case, my survey will ensure that same results are yielded when used repeatedly within the similar group. For purposes of testing reliability and validity, I will employ measures such as, split-half, test-retest, equivalent forms and factor analysis (Golafshani, 2003). Construct and Variables The mental abstractions that individuals use to express people, ideas, events, organizations and /or things/ objects that they are interested in is what is referred to as constructs. In addition to that, it can be viewed as a means of explaining the distinct component of theories and also observe or measure their behavior. The construct in my research study will be ethnicity, gender and marriage. The dependent variable will be parental behavior of an ethnic parent whilst independent variable will be child psychological development (“Constructs in quantitative research”). Measurements Parental behavior: The youth’s conception of involvement and monitoring will be measured using two subscales. In that case, the participants will respond to items that concerns the frequency of their maternal activities in a period of three months. This will be done on a point scale of 1-5 whereby I equals to “almost never” and 5-“almost always”. Children psychological development: participants will be asked to determine whether their parents’ behaviors have helped in shaping their morals and academic performance. They will respond to answers such as strongly agree, agree, strongly disagree, or disagree. Budget Wages: 19 researchers at $50/day for two months - $38,000 1 researcher at $50/day for seven months- $7,000 International shipping: $3,500 Secure computer: $500 Discretionary budget: $6,000 Total budget: $55,000 Wages based on five-day work week. Researchers will only be paid for days that they work, not by salary. Qualitative Research Proposal Research Questions What are your perceptions on parental involvement and monitoring? Is your parent an authoritative one? How a parent behavior does impacts on an individual psychological development? How an authoritative parent does affect the performance of an individual socially and academically? In your view, explain the benefits or disadvantages of parent authoritativeness on an individual psychological development and academic performance Design Sample: Sample Criteria, procedure and size Convenience sampling will be used. In that case, the nearby college institutions will be used. Schools will be randomly chosen. As such, approximately three schools will be used. Ten students belonging to the ethnic minority from each school will be interviewed via the use of focused group discussions and interviews. The participants will be referred by numbers rather than their real names for purposes of anonymity Definition of Constructs Marriage: The union of a woman and man that is formal and the law typical recognizes it by which they are termed as wife and husband Gender: The social definition of men and women Sex: The aspect of being a male or female Plans for collecting and managing data Qualitative management of data is an extremely integral, challenging and vital part in research studies that are qualitative if it has to be successful. Thus, perfect management is mandatory for purposes of facilitating project coherence (Huberman & Milles, 1994). Data analysis and management in qualitative research comprises of data stocking and data categorization for purposes of communicating the finding of the research to the readers. Stock of data is significant in qualitative research handling which starts with collection of data. In my qualitative research, I will employ various data collection methods such as field notes: Field notes will help me in the stocking of collected data. I will have a writing pad where I will scribble whatever I conceive to be essential. To ensure long lasting of the field notes, I will elaborate the field notes into phrases or sentences that are comprehensible immediately after leaving the respondent. In addition to field notes, I will use tape recorders. Since, I will use interviews; tape recording will help me in adding reliability to my research (Marshall, 2002). However, it will reduce the validity of the research on the other hand. In absence of tape recording, videotaping can be used as the benefits and limitations are same. Given the data collection methods, coding will be essential (Burgess, 1989). Coding will help me in the identification of information that answers the research question perfectly. Coding will help in the development of themes for purposes of writing the research analysis (Weston et al, 2001). Budget Wages: 19 researchers at $50/day for two months - $38,000 1 researcher at $50/day for seven months- $7,000 International shipping: $5,500 Secure computer: $500 Discretionary budget: $10,000 Total budget: $61,000 References American Psychological Association Ethics Committee. (1992). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. Am Psychol, 47:1597–1611. Bowman, M.A., Prelow, H.M., Weaver, S. R.(2007). Parenting behaviors, association with deviant behaviors and delinquency in African American adolescents: A mediated-Moderation model. J Youth Adolescent, 36: 517-527. Burgess, R.G. (1989). Field research: a sourcebook and manual. London: Routledge. Constructs in quantitative Research. Retrieved June, 13, 2012, from Golafshani, N. (2003). Understanding Reliability and validity in qualitative research. The qualitative Report, 8(4), 597-607. Marshall, M.N. (2002). Sampling for qualitative Research. Oxford: Oxford University Press Miles, MB. & Huberman, A. (1994). Qualitative Data Analysis. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Protecting Human Research Subjects: Institutional Review Board Guidebook.(1993). Office for Protection from Research Risk, National Institutes of Health. Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2003). Research methods for business students. New York: Prentice Hall. Weston, C, Gandell, T., Beauchamp, J., McAlpine, L. &Wiseman, C. (2001). Analyzing Interview data: The development and evolution of a coding system. Quantitative Sociology, 24(3), 382-399. Read More