...03-Creswell (RD)-45593:03-Creswell (RD)-45593.qxd 6/20/2008 4:36 PM Page 49 CHAPTER THREE The Use of Theory ne component of reviewing the literature is to determine what theories might be used to explore the questions in a scholarly study. In quantitative research, researchers often test theories as an explanation for answers to their questions. In a quantitative dissertation, an entire section of a research proposal might be devoted to presenting the theory for the study. In qualitative research, the use of theory is much more varied. The inquirer may generate a theory as the final outcome of a study and place it at the end of a project, such as in grounded theory. In other qualitative studies, it comes at the beginning and provides a lens that shapes what is looked at and the questions asked, such as in ethnographies or in advocacy research. In mixed methods research, researchers may both test theories and generate them. Moreover, mixed methods research may contain a theoretical lens, such as a focus on feminist, racial, or class issues, that guides the entire study. I begin this chapter by focusing on theory use in a quantitative study. It reviews a definition of a theory, the use of variables in a quantitative study, the placement of theory in a quantitative study, and the alternative forms it might assume in a written plan. Procedures in identifying a theory are next presented, followed by a script of a theoretical perspective section of a quantitative research...
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...RESEARCH DESIGN Qualitative, Quantitative. and Mixed Methods Approaches SECOND EDITION John W. Creswell University of Nebraska, Lincoln SAGE Publications International Educational and Professional Publisher Thousand Oaks London New Delhi ~ 6 7 6 3Copyright O 2003 by Sage Publications, Inc. -3 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Cover image copyright O Sheldan CollinsICorbis; used by permission. For information: Sage Publications, Inc. 2455 Teller Road Thousand Oaks, California 91320 E-mail: order@sagepub.com Sage Publications Ltd. 6 Bonhill Street London EC2A 4PU United Kingdom Sage Publications India Pvt. Ltd. M-32 Market Greater Kailash I New Delhi 110 048 India Printed in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Creswell, John W. Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches I by John W. Creswel1.- 2nd ed. p. cm Includes bibliographical references and indexes. ISBN 0-7619-2441-8 (c) - ISBN 0-7619-2442-6 (pbk.) 1. Social sciences-Research-Methodology. 2. Social sciences-Statistical methods. I. Title. H62 .C6963 2002 30W.7'2-dc21 Acquiring Editor: Editorial Assistant: Production Editor: Copy Editor: Typesetter: Cover Designer: ...
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...03-Bloomberg-45467.qxd 12/26/2007 11:52 AM Page 65 CHAPTER 3 Presenting Methodology and Research Approach OVERVIEW Chapter 3 of the dissertation presents the research design and the specific procedures used in conducting your study. A research design includes various interrelated elements that reflect its sequential nature. This chapter is intended to show the reader that you have an understanding of the methodological implications of the choices you made and, in particular, that you have thought carefully about the links between your study’s purpose and research questions and the research approach and research methods that you have selected. Note that in the proposal’s chapter 3, you project what you will do based on what you know about the particular methods used in qualitative research, in general, and in your tradition or genre, in particular; hence, it is written in future tense. In the dissertation’s chapter 3, you report on what you have already done. You write after the fact; hence, you write in past tense. As such, many of the sections of chapter 3 can be written only after you have actually conducted your study (i.e., collected, analyzed, and synthesized your data). To write this chapter, you need to conduct literature reviews on the methodological issues involved in qualitative research design. You need to show the reader that you (a) have knowledge of the current issues and discourse, and (b) can relate your study...
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...AN INVESTIGATION OF READING ACHIEVEMENT AND THE USE OF SUCCESSMAKER A DIGITAL READING PROGRAM A Dissertation Proposal Submitted to the Faculty of Argosy University Campus In Partial Fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education By Jeanne Nelson Argosy University Sarasota Campus March, 2013 Dissertation Committee Approval: ------------------------------------------------- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Janice Powell Ed.D Date ------------------------------------------------- Committee Member: Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton Ed.D Date ------------------------------------------------- Program Chair: Dr. George Spagnola Ed.D Date TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF TABLES ii TABLE OF FIGURES vii TABLE OF APPENDICES ix CHAPTER ONE: THE PROBLEM AND ITS COMPONENTS 1 Introduction 1 Problem Background 1 Purpose of the Study 1 Problem Statement 2 Research Questions 2 Limitations and Delimitations 3 Definitions of Terms 4 Significance of the Study 8 Overview of Study 8 CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE 9 Introduction 10 Introduction to the i-Generation 12 Technology’s Role in School Reform 14 Technology and Student Achievement 19 Teaching Reading Through the use of Technology 23 Pearson’s Digital Learning Platform SuccessMaker 25 Summary 30 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY 31 Introduction 31 ...
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...CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH DESIGN 3.1 INTRODUCTION In this chapter the researcher describes the plan on how the study will be carried out in order to obtain the required data. This chapter looks at the nature and design of the study concentrating on the various categories of the study design. The chapter will look at research procedure, data collection technique, sampling, population and the location of the study, limitations of the study as well as ethical considerations. Data analysis and presentation will also be included in this chapter. 3.2 NATURE OF THE STUDY The study will be qualitative in nature. According to Babbie (1998), qualitative research refers to non-numerical examination and the presentation of observations for the purpose of discovering underlying meanings and patterns of relationships. Bless et al (2006), also maintain the same line of thinking noting that qualitative research is a research which is conducted using a number of methods which use qualifying words and descriptions to record and investigate aspects of social reality. Given these definitions of qualitative research this study will be best carried out using qualitative study given the fact that it is meant to investigate aspects of social reality. Moreover the study will be investigating people’s opinions and feelings which can be best revealed in words and symbols. 3.3 RESEARCH DESIGN (STRATEGY) Research design refers to a plan of how one intends to carry out the research. Basically it focuses...
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...ASSESSING IMPACT OF DRUG THEFT IN THE HEALTH CARE SERVICE: A CASE OF BLANTYRE CHAPTER ONE 1.1 INTRODUCTION Different authors have defined drug theft differently depending on the context in which they are discussing. Drug theft could be summarized as: “The act of stealing drugs and selling them or using them for other benefits instead of the core purpose of helping the needy (poor) Malawians.” Recently, there have been a lot of cases of drugs stolen from public hospitals in Malawi and other neighboring countries which are either sold in Malawi or outside the country. Some of the drugs are being sold in Tanzania, Mozambique or even overseas. Of late, it has been noted that the county referral hospitals, health centers and dispensaries are the worst hit. Additionally, there are some unscrupulous medical workers in our country who are smuggling drugs from public hospitals to Tanzania through the boarders. In Summary, Once sold, the drugs are then stocked in private clinics. They are mainly sold in Tarime District of Mara Province across the border in Tanzania. Medicines leave the stores as soon as they arrive. Drugs stolen from public hospitals in our country are now finding their way into Tanzania. Unscrupulous medical workers are smuggling the drugs through the border point before selling them to Tanzanian traders. Once sold, the drugs, according to Nation investigations, are then stocked in private clinics, in Tarime District of Mara Province across the border in Tanzania. The...
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...Week 1 Chapter 1: The selection of a research design Three types of design: Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods. Although it is difficult to separate the first two, often a research study tends to be more quantitative than qualitative or vice versa. Mixed methods is somewhere in the middle, a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods. In detail: Qualitative research is about exploring and understanding the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem. Quantitative research is a means for testing objective theories, deriving hypotheses from these theories, and examining the relationship among variables. Mixed methods research associates both research design. Often, in qualitative research, the researcher needs to interpret the data (evidence) collected during the research process. The final report may have a flexible structure. With quantitative research, the final report is more or less structured; introduction, literature survey and theory, data description, methods, results and discussion (for future research). These models pretty much cover the available areas to researchers in selecting the type of research design. In each research design, it helps to identify, list and associate the three components of the research design. The first component is the way the research views the problem of interest. This is called under different names, research paradigm, epistemologies (the origin) and ontologies (how you know what you know), etc...
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...research. The contents are an expansion and revision of my class materials, intended for use as a refresher or as a free introductory research methods course. Topics are organized into five main sections, with subsections (in parentheses): * Introduction (INTRO)–a brief overview of educational research methods (3) * Quantitative Methods (QUANT)–descriptive and inferential statistics (5) * Qualitative Methods (QUAL)–descriptive and thematic analysis (2) * Mixed Methods (MIXED)–integrated, synthesis, and multi-method approaches (1) * Research Writing (WRITING)–literature review and research report guides (5) Most subsection contains a non-technical description of the topic, a how-to interpret guide, a how-to set-up and analyze guide using free online calculators or Excel, and a wording results guide. All materials are available for general use, following the Creative Commons License. Introduction (INTRO)–a brief overview of educational research methods 1. What is Educational Research? (uploaded 7.17.09) 2. Writing Research Questions (uploaded 7.20.09) 3. Experimental Design (uploaded 7.20.09) ------------------------------------------------- Experimental Design The basic idea of experimental design involves formulating a question and hypothesis, testing the question, and analyzing data. Though the research designs available to educational researchers vary considerably, the experimental design provides a basic model for comparison as we learn new...
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...UNLV Theses/Dissertations/Professional Papers/Capstones 8-1-2010 Evaluating point-of-sale buying decisions: Understanding why consumers purchase timeshares Lisa Y. Thomas University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations Part of the Marketing Commons, and the Real Estate Commons Repository Citation Thomas, Lisa Y., "Evaluating point-of-sale buying decisions: Understanding why consumers purchase timeshares" (2010). UNLV Theses/Dissertations/Professional Papers/Capstones. Paper 868. This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Scholarship@UNLV. It has been accepted for inclusion in UNLV Theses/ Dissertations/Professional Papers/Capstones by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact marianne.buehler@unlv.edu. EVALUATING POINT-OF-SALE BUYING DECISIONS: UNDERSTANDING WHY CONSUMERS PURCHASE TIMESHARES by Lisa Young Thomas Bachelor of Business Administration Sam Houston State University 1986 Master of Science, Hotel Administration University of Nevada, Las Vegas 2007 A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality Administration William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas August 2010 Copyright by Lisa Young Thomas 2010 All Rights Reserved THE GRADUATE COLLEGE We recommend...
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...advertisements and is able to reach millions of people within a span of time with no bias on the social economic status on the different people. Social media is however more flexible than traditional media and is greatly used on a large scale purposes especially in marketing of products and the effective recommendation of different products to different consumers. The rise and shine of social media has been attributed by the advancement of technology all over the world. Research was carried out by survey method and Quantitative methods on several students in the University of Buckingham and the University of Portsmouth. The research was successful and the results were discussed effectively. List of Tables and Figures Figure 1 Procedure for Data...
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...LEADERSHIP STYLE, A CORRELATIONAL STUDY IN LEADERSHIP STYLE AND USE-OF-FORCE BEHAVIOR OF POLICE OFFICERS by Tommy Sickels Copyright June, 2015 A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctorate in Educational Leadership University of Phoenix The Dissertation Committee for Tommy Sickels certifies that this may be the approved version of the following dissertation: The Dissertation Committee for Tommy Sickels certifies approval of the following dissertation: A CORRELLATlONAL STUDY IN LEADERSHIP STYLE AND USE-OF-FORCE BEHAVIOR OF POLICE OFFICERS Commiittee: Orlando Ramos, PhD, Chair Peggy Coplin, DPA, Committee Member Jack Phan, PhD, Committee Member ,,__.____ _ ,,__.____ _ Jeremy Moreland, PhD Dean, School of Advanced Studies University of Phoenix ABSTRACT Leadership style and police officer use-of-force are two important functions of law enforcement. What could be more important in a law enforcement agency than to have these two variables coexisting in an organization in a harmonious manner? By investigating whether a relationship exists between these two variables an answer to this question could emerge. In law enforcement today, the cost associated with excessive use-of-force civil law-suits against police officers and their departments can be staggering. Exposing police officers to a specific leadership style may influence the dynamics in the use-of-force behavior during...
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...THE PUBLIC'S PERCEPTION OF MENTALLY ILL OFFENDERS Name Institution Subject Date Attestation I appreciate the nature of plagiarism, and I am mindful of the University’s course of action on this. I, therefore, attest that this dissertation reports unique work by me throughout my University project. Signature (you must delete this, then sign and date this page) Date Acknowledgements I would like to pass my sincerest gratitude to my parents who shaped me to the person I am today. Moreover, I would like to acknowledge my supervisor and other academic staff that provided unconditional guidance and support. I would, furthermore, like to recognize my fellow students and colleagues who helped me in the facilitation of this project in various ways. In addition, I would also like to acknowledge the general public for allowing me to conduct my interviews. Last but not least, I would like to acknowledge my friends for providing their time, cooperation and tolerance before and after the study. Abstract The mentally ill offenders have arguably been viewed on an exclusionary spectrum continuum. The public has adopted punitive attitudes that have significantly hampered with restorative measures. The aim of this study is to examine the perception of the public regarding the mentally ill offenders. The sample investigated comprised of 3 most dominant ethnic groups. Out of 200 respondents there was an average of 30 participants for...
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...STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS COUNSELLING: A CROSS-CULTURAL STUDY by KATLEGO FANDIE This thesis is submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree Philosophiae Doctor in the FACULTY OF THE HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY at the UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE BLOEMFONTEIN January 2015 Promoter: Prof. L. Naudé DECLARATION I declare that the thesis hereby submitted by Katlego Fandie for the degree Philosophiae Doctor at the University of the Free State is my own independent work and has not previously been submitted by me at another University/Faculty. I further more cede copyright of the thesis in favour of the University of the Free State. SIGNATURE: _____________________________ DATE:____________________________ i DECLARATION OF SUPERVISOR ii PROOF OF LANGUAGE EDITOR 083 2877088 +27 51 4367975 corrieg@mweb.co.za CORRIE GELDENHUYS POSBUS 28537 DANHOF 9310 3 January 2015 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN Herewith I, Cornelia Geldenhuys (ID 521114 0083 088) declare that I am a qualified, accredited language practitioner and that I have edited the following PhD thesis by Katlego Fandie: STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS COUNSELLING: A CROSS-CULTURAL STUDY All changes were indicated by track changes and comments, to be addressed by the researcher. ............................................................ C GELDENHUYS MA (LIN – cum laude), MA (Mus), HED, HDLB, UTLM ACCREDITED MEMBER OF SATI –...
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...CHAPTER 4 Research Methodology and Design 4.1 Introduction All research is based on some underlying philosophical assumptions about what constitutes 'valid' research and which research method(s) is/are appropriate for the development of knowledge in a given study. In order to conduct and evaluate any research, it is therefore important to know what these assumptions are. This chapter discusses the philosophical assumptions and also the design strategies underpinning this research study. Common philosophical assumptions were reviewed and presented; the interpretive paradigm was identified for the framework of the study. In addition, the chapter discusses the research methodologies, and design used in the study including strategies, instruments, and data collection and analysis methods, while explaining the stages and processes involved in the study. The research design for this study is a descriptive and interpretive case study that is analysed through qualitative methods. Questionnaires were used to evaluate participants’ WebCT skills (before the course starts) and to determine their levels of satisfaction in the course (at the end of the case study). A descriptive statistical method was used to analyze the student satisfaction survey. Participant observation, face-to-face interviews, focus-group interviews, questionnaires, and member checking were used as data collection methods. Furthermore, the justification for each of the data collection methods used in the study...
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...Christi and is hereby approved. Kamiar Kouzekanani, Ph.D. Bryant Griffith, Ph.D. Chair Committee Member Jacqueline Hamilton, Ed.D. Pamela Meyer, Ph.D. Committee Member Graduate Faculty Representative JoAnn Canales, Ph.D. Interim Dean of Graduate Studies May 2013 © Kelly Jean Manlove All Rights Reserved March 2013 v ABSTRACT THE IMPACT OF EXTRACURRICULAR ATHLETIC ACTIVIES ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, DISCIPLINARY REFERRALS, AND SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AMONG HISPANIC FEMALE 11TH GRADE STUDENTS (March 2013) Kelly J. Manlove B.S., Stephen F. Austin State University M.Ed., University of North Texas Dissertation Chair: Kamiar Kouzekanani, Ph.D. The study examined the impact of participation in extracurricular athletic activities on GPA, reading and mathematics achievement scores, attendance rate, and disciplinary referrals among Hispanic female 11th graders. The ex post facto study employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. The 11th grade female Hispanic participants consisted of a characteristic-present...
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