Draft Description of Procedure, Data Collection, and Data Analysis

Instructions

For this post, describe how you will collect data, the instruments used to collect the data, and how the collected data will be prepared for interpretation and analysis. Complete the following:

• Write your research question at the top of the post.
• Use the research question to identify the procedure:

  Introduce your procedure section of the methodology by providing a rationale for the chosen data-collection strategy.
  Be sure that your data-collection strategy aligns with your research question, recruitment strategy, and choice of participants.
  Describe how data will be collected.
  Describe who will be collecting data.
  Describe where data collection will take place.
  Describe how long data collection will take.

  Will it take place one time or over a series of meetings?
  Will the time spent collecting data be the same or different for all participants?
  Will there be different time frames for various participant groups or are all participants engaged in the same data-collection procedures?

• If testing an intervention, describe the planning and the nature of the intervention.

  Describe where, how long, and who is engaged in the intervention.

• If you are interviewing participants, describe how you will record the interviews and how you will transform recordings into transcripts or actual data.
• If you are observing instances of specific behaviors, describe how they will be recorded and who will record them.
• Include examples of your data-collection instrument.

  Instruments can be surveys, recording sheets, checklists, surveys, records, questionnaires, interview guides, or lists of open-ended interview questions.
  Explain how your instrument aligns with your research question.

• Upload your discussion post as a Word document set in 12-point Times New Roman, with all sources cited in current APA style and format. In addition, please copy and paste the document content into the message box for your post submission.

Note: As you prepare this post, be sure to recognize the limitations of your study. Try to anticipate the questions a reader will have and identify problems to be researched next to extend your findings into new areas.

Qualitative Analysis

For qualitative studies, use thematic analysis. This strategy, which relies on coding, allows you to sort through the words, observations, phrases, and concepts of transcribed narrative data. The goal is to identify the categories of meaning and the themes that emerge across transcripts, documents, and data forms, and that support specific interpretations of meaning offered by participants. Use examples to describe how you will interpret narrative data.

It is helpful to address aspects of trustworthiness, dependability, transferability, credibility, authenticity, confirmability, rigor, triangulation, member checking, and other considerations associated with scientific merit in qualitative research as appropriate to the research question.

Quantitative Analysis

For quantitative studies, identify variables and discrete units of measure that can be compared statistically to represent, describe, and explain observations of natural phenomena. You will describe how numerical values are obtained, interpreted, and understood. Typically, you will explain which statistic applies to the identified variables; it is important to supply your rationale for choosing that statistical measure.

It is helpful to address reliability—the degree of consistency and accuracy—and validity, or whether the measure tests what it is intended to test. It is also helpful to address generalizability and strategies associated with scientific merit in quantitative research. Use charts, diagrams, and other examples as needed.

When you submit your post, include all of Chapter 3, from the introductory paragraphs to the analysis section. Be sure to revise your introductory paragraphs for this chapter by including a short overview of the procedure and the analysis sections of Chapter 3. Revise the entire chapter based on feedback from your instructor and peers. 

ATTRIBUTES AND EVALUATION OF DISCUSSION CONTRIBUTIONS

Due Date: End of weekly
Percentage of Course Grade: 20%.

Learner Guidelines for Evaluation of Discussion Contributions

All discussion contributions will be read by your instructor each week. The instructor will provide feedback to you regarding your discussion postings. Expecting that every discussion posting and response contain all of the attributes of an exemplary discussion posting is setting a high standard for both you and the instructor. This level of high performance is the standard expected of graduate learners at Capella.

Attributes of an Exemplary Discussion Contribution or Response:

1. The discussion contribution or response clearly addresses the content issue(s) presented by the question.

2. The discussion contribution or response includes the appropriate level(s) of critical analysis.

3. The discussion contribution or response includes pertinent course and disciplinary concepts, theories, or materials, and applies them correctly.

4. The discussion contribution or response provides validation and support by including relevant examples and supporting evidence, as appropriate.

5. The discussion contribution or response stimulates fellow learners to clarify, extend, and strengthen their dialogue.

6. The discussion contribution or response is concise, clearly organized, and well structured.

7. The discussion contribution or response uses grammar, usage, and mechanics expected of graduate level composition and expression.

8. All citations and references adhere to APA 6th edition style.

9. The discussion contribution or response fosters collaboration with fellow learners and communicates in a manner that respects the dignity and integrity of fellow learners and the instructor.

10. The discussion response meaningfully supplements and extends consideration of the topic by including one of more of the following: new information, questions, constructive or corrective feedback, or alternative viewpoints.

For additional details regarding discussion participation and contributions, please consult the 

Professional Communications and Writing Guide

.