Research Methods With Scenarios

Application: Evaluating Research Methods

Over the past three weeks, we have learned about several research methods, including quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, action research, and secondary data analysis.

These research methods we have studied are reflected in the following four scenarios, which present different examples of how a researcher might design a study on the subject of peer mediation.

Scenario 1: Ten students are available for in-depth interviews. Participants will be selected based on their involvement with the peer mediation program. They will be observed over three weeks. Analysis will attempt to determine issues concerning peer mediation.

 In this scenario, peer mediation is being researched by understanding the reasoning behind the results. The understanding of the reasoning is an example of Qualitative Research. It is a great example of qualitative research because the "why is being answered face to face."(McMillian & Schumacher, (2008), p.135.) Qualitative method is used when the researcher uses"distinct groups"(McMillian & Schumacher, (2008)) with the goal in mind to understand why a certain problem is solved or not. In this specific research the analysis will be based on observations (face to face) that are done on selected participants ( distinct groups), which is a typical qualitative research procedure.

 

Scenario 2: Two classrooms of students are selected. There are 30 students in each class; each group will have similar demographics—age, sex, race, socio-economic background, etc. Classes will be randomly divided into two groups of 15 students. Of these two groups, one randomly selected group will get training on peer mediation and the other group will not. Thus in each classroom there will be one group that is trained in peer mediation and one that is not. Analysis will occur on which groups have the fewest office referrals.

In this scenario, peer mediation is being researched by using the analysis of data results. The analyzation of comparing groups by using data is an example of Quantitative Research. In this particular scenario the researcher is "choosing subjects"(McMillian & Schumacher, (2008), p.101) to group in order to receive fair data. In addition this is a prime example of quantitative research because the analysis will be on looking at the number of referrals to determine the results of peer mediation. In conclusion, looking at the number of referrals is a form of "collecting data."(McMillian & Schumacher, (2008)).

Scenario 3: A school counselor is interested in knowing how student attitudes affect the value of peer mediation to decrease the number of office referrals that are being filed for inappropriate interactions.

In this scenario, peer mediation is being researched by the use of mixed methods. Mixed methods is when the researcher uses data results and digging deeper to find out why or how. In this scenario the researcher is going to analyze the number of decreased referrals because of student attitudes by using quantitative research and then mix it with qualitative research by understanding how the attitudes affect the value of peer mediation. In conclusion this scenario supports mixed methods because it first "analyzes data and then ask why it is happened."(McMillian & Schumacher, (2008), p.161.)

Scenario 4: Peer mediation has become widely used in many schools. The feelings of those involved in the process are little known—either from those doing the mediation or those receiving it. The ZASK-R Acceptance Preference Survey will be given as pre- and post-tests to 40 students participating in mediation. Follow-up interviews will be conducted on a bi-monthly basis.

In this scenario, peer mediation is being researched by the use of action research. Action research is when the researcher "promotes change by getting involved in the research experiment itself." (McMillian & Schumacher, (2008), p. 174). In this specific research, the ZASK- R  will improve peer mediation by getting involved and interviewing the students on their feelings and surveys. The involvement in combination with still using data and reasoning is what makes this scenario an action research. 

Overall, any type of research is beneficial for the world of education because research is based on real results. In every scenario explained above, there will be something to be learned and understood. The most important thing is knowing what type of research you are analyzing or doing so that you know how to read the results regardless what method it is. Our goal is to comprehend the results and not misread the research. 

Veronica