Assignment : Evaluating Quantitative Design

A researcher must be knowledgeable of the different quantitative research designs and be able to effectively apply the best design as dictated by the research question. For this assignment, you will create a 3- to 4-page document following the directions below.

Part I

Compare Methods

Compare and contrast two research methods. Give an example of a situation (related to forensic counseling) in which each of the two chosen methods can be applied.

• Experimental

• Quasi-experimental

• Correlational

• Survey

• Developmental

Part II

Answer Questions

In reference to one of the two example research scenarios that you discussed above in Part I, further explore by answering the following questions (apply these questions to your own research project):

• Determine a suitable research goal.

• Discuss what type of sampling could be used for this study.

• Identify which types of research designs above (from Part I) would be most appropriate to use.

• State your hypothesis of the expected results for this proposed study.

Your final product will be in a Microsoft Word document and be approximately 3-4 pages in length and utilize 2-3 scholarly sources in your research. Your paper should be written in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrate ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; and display accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Evaluating Quantitative Design

Part I: Compare Methods

There is a wide range of research methods which can be used in forensic psychology. These methods normally vary based on the sources of information used, the process used to sample information and the instruments which are used in data collection. At the same time, research methods normally vary based on whether they are collecting qualitative data, quantitative data or whether they are collecting both types of data.

Qualitative psychological research involves research findings which are not arrived at based on quantitative or statistical procedures. On the other hand, quantitative psychological research entails getting research findings from statistical estimation or modelling or statistical inferences. This means that since qualitative information is handled statistically, the distinction comes in the method as opposed to the topic that is being studied. This paper is a comparison of two research methods that are applicable in forensic psychology.

The first research method is correlational which entails statistical relationships and how they relate to each other. Correlation is a broad class in statistical relationships which entails dependence and the extent to which two variables are linearly related. Correlations are of great importance since they can be used as an indicator of predictive relationships which can be exploited much in practice (Tharenou, et al, 2012The second research method is survey which is an important method for both qualitative and quantitative research.

Its first main characteristic is that the variables of interest are normally measured with the use of self-reports, this means that the survey researchers ask their respondents to give reports on their feelings, behaviors and thoughts. The other characteristic is that this method focuses on sampling. Surveys can either be long or short and can be carried out through emails, telephone conversations or through the internet.

An example of a situation which is related to forensic counseling which correlation research method can be used is when dealing with a violent client (Schoonenboom, 2015). Correlation method can be used to find out whether the violent behavior is brought about by another underlying factor.

For example, a researcher can establish the correlation between substance abuse and violent behavior. Survey research method can be applied in a situation whereby a forensic counselor wants to find out some information from an affected population. For instance, forensic psychologists might conduct a survey on the factors that might cause violent behavior. The forensic psychologist carries out a survey from a random population with the aim of collecting information regarding what they think is the cause of violent behavior within the population.

Part II: Answering questions

My research project is on trying to find out the exact causes of the inability of psychologist working in correction settings to form effective relationships. The suitable research goal in this project is to find out the exact cause of the inability to form effective relationships between forensic psycho9logists and their clients.

This research goal can be effectively achieved through these two research methods: correlational and survey research methods. The type of sampling that can be used for this study is random sampling whereby in a sample, every member of the population has an equal chance of getting selected to be a representative of the entire population under study.

It would be difficult for the researcher to obtain information from the entire population of forensic psychologists working in a correctional setting. This might be due to cost constraints, time and other constraints. This is what drives the researcher to get just a sample from the entire population which would be a representation of the whole group. The main aim of random sampling is to ensure that the researcher gets a sample which will represent the entire population of forensic psychologists working in the correctional setting.

The most appropriate research design to use in this research project is surveys. This would be the best research method to use because the study is designed to collect information about a topic: effective relationships between forensic psychologists and clients in a correctional setting. This will be followed by an analysis of the information that has been collected to draw conclusions on the issue.

When researchers go directly to the forensic psychologists who are working in the correctional setting they will get accurate information because they are the people who are on the ground and hence can be able to give reliable information. It is the forensic psychologists who interact with these inmates in the correctional settings and hence will be able to assist in giving the required information to make valid conclusions.

Through surveys, a researcher will be able to get information from the people it affects hence will be a good base for drawing conclusions and hence a successful research.

The hypothesis of the expected results for this proposed study is that there is a correlation between the ability of forensic psychologists working in a correctional setting and the challenges that they face.

References

Schoonenboom, J. (2015). The realistic survey: How Respondents voices cane be used to test and revise correlational models. Journal of Mixed Methods Research.

Tharenou, P., Donohue, R., & Cooper, B. (2012). Correlational field study (surveys) Designs, Management Research Methods, 45-71