Quantitative and Qualitative Methods

Part I The first part of the discussion asks you to (1) differentiate (i.e., describe the differences) between random sampling and non-random sampling techniques (a sampling technique is how researchers select a sub-set of an entire population to study.  For example, there are too many students to study the whole student body.  So I would use one of the techniques listed in the textbook to obtain a (preferably random) sample of students to study.); (2) Discuss the importance of the role of sampling when conducting research (i.e. why does having proper sampling techniques matter?).  Next, take a look at one particular way that researchers collect a sample: Snowball Sampling.  This is a form of sampling where participants recommend people they know as research participants.  (3) Explain one pro and one con to this approach.  Then, (4) Discuss the usefulness of pretesting, pilot testing, or field-testing a survey or interview questionnaire.  The final component of the first part of the discussion asks you think about the following issue: (5) In some large-scale research projects the researcher is not always the one collecting data, but relies on already existing data and is more heavily involved in the analysis and interpretation of the data. Would this create a challenge in a quantitative study where a survey was used for data collection? Would this scenario create a challenge in a qualitative study where a one-to one interview or focus group data collection method was used? Explain why or why not for both scenarios. Part II In the second part of the discussion, you will take a look at 3 unique (and interesting!) types of qualitative research methods.   As you saw in the Week 3 assignment, research done using qualitative methods can take on some interesting forms!  And, more than quantitative methods, they help us understand the human experience in society (the method you reviewed in the Week 3 assignment was ethnography). In the resources this week we asked you to review three other forms of qualitative research approaches that help us understand the human experience in unique ways: visual, documentary, and oral history. After reviewing the resources provided, (6) describe each form of approach (oral, visual, and documentary).  (7) Explain their unique differences and similarities.  (8) What is gained by conveying human experience via visual or audio as opposed to a written interpretation?  (9) Which form of approach did you find the most compelling in sharing the experience of humans in society? Explain why. (10) Do you think that these forms of visual and audio data evidence could be more powerful for influencing social change and public policy than written or statistical data? Explain your response. Your initial post should be at least 800 words in length. Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references.