In this discussion, state your proposed method, design, and data-collection instruments and reasons behind each. Provide clear justification for each choice you make as well as an explanation of the reliability and validity for instruments you have chosen. Purchase the answer to view it
Proposed Method, Design, and Data-Collection Instruments in Educational Research
Introduction
When conducting educational research, it is essential to carefully consider the method, design, and data-collection instruments to ensure the overall validity and reliability of the study. This discussion aims to outline the proposed method, design, and instruments for collecting data, while providing justifications for each choice made. Additionally, the reliability and validity of the selected instruments will be explained.
Method
The proposed method for this educational research study is the mixed methods approach. This method combines both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques to provide a comprehensive understanding of the research topic (Johnson & Onwuegbuzie, 2004). In educational research, this approach is often the most effective way to investigate complex phenomena as it allows for the exploration of both numerical patterns and the subjective experiences of individuals (Creswell, 2014).
By employing a mixed methods approach, the study will gather quantitative data through surveys and numerical analysis, as well as qualitative data through interviews and thematic analysis. The integration of these two types of data will provide a more nuanced and complete understanding of the research topic and enhance the overall credibility of the study (Creswell, 2009).
Design
To ensure the reliability and validity of the research findings, a sequential explanatory design will be employed. This design first involves collecting quantitative data, followed by qualitative data collection in a successive phase (Creswell, 2014). The rationale for this design is to allow for a deepening of understanding by using qualitative data to explain, expand, or contradict the initial quantitative findings (Tashakkori & Teddlie, 2003).
The sequential explanatory design will begin with a large-scale survey to collect quantitative data. This survey will employ a structured questionnaire with close-ended questions to yield numerical data suitable for statistical analysis. The survey will be distributed to a diverse sample of participants, ensuring adequate representation of different educational backgrounds, ages, and demographics. The use of a standardized survey instrument will enhance the reliability and generalizability of the study’s findings (Creswell, 2014).
Following the survey, a subset of participants will be selected for in-depth interviews to collect qualitative data. These interviews will utilize open-ended questions to encourage participants to provide detailed and subjective responses regarding their experiences, perceptions, and beliefs. The interviews will be audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, allowing for thorough analysis using thematic coding techniques (Creswell, 2014).
Data-Collection Instruments
To collect quantitative data, a structured survey questionnaire will be used. The questionnaire will comprise a series of closed-ended questions with response options that can be easily coded for quantitative analysis. The selected questions will capture relevant information about the research topic, such as demographic data, educational background, and attitudes towards specific educational practices or policies.
The reliability of the survey instrument will be ensured through careful construction of items and pilot testing of the questionnaire with a small sample of participants. The pilot study will allow for the identification and elimination of any ambiguous or confusing items, ensuring the clarity and comprehensibility of the questionnaire. Moreover, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient will be computed to assess the internal consistency and reliability of the survey items (Creswell, 2014).
To collect qualitative data, in-depth interviews will be conducted. The interviews will follow a semi-structured format to allow for flexibility while ensuring that relevant topics and themes are addressed consistently across participants. The open-ended nature of the interview questions will encourage participants to provide rich and detailed responses, offering insights into their experiences, beliefs, and emotions related to the research topic.
The reliability of the qualitative data will be enhanced through rigorous transcription, where the interviews will be transcribed accurately and verbatim. Thematic coding will be used to analyze the data, whereby specific codes will be assigned to each significant theme or pattern identified from the interviews. Multiple coders will be engaged in the coding process to enhance inter-rater reliability and reduce bias (Creswell & Miller, 2000).
Reliability and Validity
The reliability of the data-collection instruments is crucial for ensuring the consistency and replicability of the research findings. In this study, both the survey questionnaire and interview transcriptions will undergo rigorous processes to enhance reliability. The survey will be pilot-tested to eliminate any potential sources of confusion, and the internal consistency of the items will be assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The interview transcriptions will be carefully transcribed verbatim, minimizing any errors or omissions and ensuring the accuracy of the qualitative data.
Validity refers to the extent to which the instruments measure what they intend to measure. In this research study, the validity of the survey questionnaire will be ensured through the use of relevant and well-established items that align with the research objectives. Content validity will be established by consulting with experts in the field to review and provide feedback on the survey questionnaire.
Similarly, the validity of the qualitative data will be ensured by employing rigorous research techniques, such as using open-ended questions, conducting multiple interviews, and employing trained coders for thematic analysis. These measures will enhance the credibility and trustworthiness of the qualitative data, thus increasing the overall validity of the study.
Conclusion
In this discussion, the proposed method, design, and data-collection instruments for an educational research study have been outlined. The mixed methods approach, specifically the sequential explanatory design, will allow for a comprehensive exploration of the research topic. A structured survey questionnaire will be used to collect quantitative data, while in-depth interviews will provide qualitative data. The reliability and validity of the instruments will be ensured through careful construction, pilot testing, and rigorous analysis processes. By employing these strategies, the study aims to yield reliable and valid findings that contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the field of education.
