Drafting Methods Section
Now that you have decided what you will do for your field research, it
is time to write the methods section to your revised research plan (this
will also be the methods section for your final paper, so it is
important that you write in past tense). As we have gone over in class,
you will present your methods in as much detail as possible. The goal is
for your research to be replicable--this means that another researcher
can easily repeat the steps of your research (remember the details from
the methodology sections of student papers that we deemed as more
successful). You should be able to describe and justify every step of
your research methodology. Explain what you did, what you asked, and
why.
Remember, these steps are flexible. You will likely need to make
adjustments based on what is necessary for your research area and
methodology. With that said, these steps are a great jumping off point
for writing an effective and detailed methodology section that is
replicable and viable for your final project.
Here are some steps to follow:
1. What type of study (interview, survey, observation/focus group) did
you conduct, and what was its purpose? {notice that this question along
with the others is in past tense, and I want your response to be in past
tense too- this will save you a load of time in the end because you
will not have to go back and make everything past tense}
Start with: I conducted a _______________ in order to __________________.
2.Where/with whom was your study conducted? Why did you pick this group?
Start with: I studied/observed/surveyed ______ # of people (adults/students) in __________ because ____________.
3.How did you chose your participants?
Example: My participants were chosen based on their willingness to
participate in my study and under the criteria that they had taken the
FCAT Writes exam and Composition I at SSC. I chose this criteria because
_______________.
4.What were you looking for in your study, or what types of questions did you ask your participants?
Start with: In my ___________ I asked questions regarding ____________. These questions were important because___________.
OR: I conducted a study that required my participants to ___________ because _____________.
5. Provide examples of your questions, and explain why these examples are important.
Start with: For example, I asked the question ______________ because
____________. Also, I asked ___________ because ____________.
6. If you asked additional questions or elaborated on any part of your
study, insert the phrase in parenthesis: (See Appendix A for a list of
all survey/interview/study questions).
7. What did you want to find out by conducting this study?
Start with: By conducting this study, I wanted to find out ____________________.
Example:
I
conducted a survey in order to trace the factors that cause
Composition students to experience writer's block when writing their
papers for Composition class. I surveyed 60 Composition II students at
SSC who experience writer's block because these students had written
papers in Composition class and had experienced factors preventing them
from writing. My participants were chosen based on the criteria that
they had written papers for Composition class, and they claimed to
experience writer's block on a frequent basis.
In my survey, I asked questions regarding the students' writing habits
and fears about writing, in order to trace any similarities that may
cause writer's block for these students in their composition classes.
These questions were important because they allowed me to study both the
circumstances from which these students were being blocked from
writing, as well as the assignments that may have caused this anxiety.
For example, I asked the question, "What are you worried about before
you start writing your composition papers?" because I wanted to see the
fears students had in relation to writing. I also asked, "what types of
writing assignments do you find most stressful for you?" because I
wanted to see if similar assignments caused students to experience
writer's block within their composition courses (See Appendix A for a
list of all survey questions). By conducting this survey, I wanted to
explore the factors contributing to the writer's block experienced by
composition students, in order to see if and how these stresses can be
potentially addressed.
The research uses a logistical regression analysis. This analysis analyzed the eight selected independent variables against the binary bankrupt vs. non-bankrupt dependent variable to identify any predictors. The predictors will be determined by its P-value, or significance level. Any variable with a P-value less than .05 is considered a significant predictor. The binary, categorical and nominal independent variables were turned into descriptive data to more easily organize and analyze. The logistical regression analysis was run through the Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences Program. During this process the enter method was used which allowed all independent variables to be entered in at the same time rather than a multi-step process. The independent variables have the potential to help predict an athlete’s future could potentially place them in both categories. Those individuals were not considered. The status of being bankrupt for an ex-player may be different than that of a regular citizen and is acknowledged. For the purpose of this study the act of filing for bankruptcy as a former professional football player exhibits their level of financial distress and is used as the main participation factor. As long as the bankruptcy filing is publicly known and can be verified there is no other qualifications. To achieve a large enough sample the ex-NFL players used included but were not limited to the individuals highlighted in Pablo Torre’s article and the Broke documentary. The bankrupt participants include: Vince Young, Travis Henry, Jamal Lewis, Raghib Ismail, Johnny Unitas, Warren Sapp, Duece McAllister, Lawerence Taylor, Terrell Owens, Andre Rison, Bernie Kosar, Luther Ellis, Dan Marino, Terry Long, Billy Sims, Raymond Clayborn and Archie Griffin. The non-bankrupt ex-athletes include: Rod Smith, Chafie Fields, Don Davey, John Elway, Daniel Wilcox, Brad Benson, Rosevelt Colvin, Jarvis Green, Jessie Armstead, and Ken Ruettgers.
ReplyDeleteElisabeth Wilson
ReplyDeleteMethods Section
I conducted interviews with two men and two women to determine their opinions and feelings towards certain media advertisements that could be hurtful to some peoples’ view of their body image. The participants were students from the University of Central Florida, ages 18 and 19. Since eating disorders affect males as well as females, males were involved in the interview to get different perspectives.
Participants were required to take a baseline questionnaire that helped determine their self-confidence with their body. This helps to determine how people are perceiving body images. Some questions in the questionnaire included. “Rate your self-confidence in your body on a scale of 1-10” and “is there anything you would change about your image?” This questionnaire was followed by a presentation of bodies used in media then followed by an additional questionnaire.
After the questionnaire the participants were showed different media ads and images from magazines and television etc. These images were of models like the Victoria’s Secret models, Kate Upton, young Mark Whalburg and other very well known models. I chose these images because they represent ideal body images in the media. Participants were also shown images of the opposite sex to discover if the participants have an elevated expectation on appearance.
Lastly, images of well known models that were not photocopied or enhanced in any way were shown. This shows how the images the media displays are not realistic and are deceiving. It is important to understand the feelings and opinions people have about how the media displays beauty. This was followed by a follow-up questionnaire. The purpose of this study was to discover if these images are really impacting peoples’ self-confidence and pushing them into taking extreme measures to have an ideal body image as displayed in the media.
I conducted a survey in order to create a baseline of information to help me decide who I wanted to interview to figure out the effect of media advertisements on people and if they thought a tool, such as media literacy, could make a difference. I surveyed fifteen people ranging from fourteen year olds to adults. The people that participated chose to do the survey because I had put out the link to my survey on my Facebook profile page. I also had asked some friends from my high school to participate in the survey as well. I chose different genders and ages because the topic of negative media can affect most people as the research I found showed. My survey contained a box that would let me know if the person answering the questions was interested in a one on one interview with me. If they decided to press yes, they then preceded to leave their name and contact information. I chose five participants of different ages: females, two males. Those under eighteen had to get a waiver I had created signed by their parents before they could be involved in an interview.
ReplyDeleteIn my survey, I asked questions pertaining to body image, including how they rated their body and how often they think they complain about their body. Along with the question of whether they watch television, movies, or read magazines. These questions were important because they provided me with some background information about my interviewees and also gave me insight in just how a small population felt regarding this topic. I asked the five I interviewed questions like, “Do you think anything in today’s society affects the way you feel about your body?”, to see if the first thing they said had to do with media. I also asked them why they thought media portrays people in a “perfect” way. I also showed the interviewees videos of over modified and more unattainable ads and asked them questions about how they made them feel. I also asked why they thought advertisements like them caused many people to feel bad about themselves. These were important to ask because they gave me answers to why self-esteem is affected by these ads. After that I showed a few videos I would call media literacy tools. These videos showed how fake some advertisements are and I preceded to ask about if they made an impact on the viewer. This would help me see if these media literacy tools can help have an effect on people who are affected by these negative media images. (See Appendix A for a list of all survey and interview questions and links to videos). By conducting this study, I wanted to find out in what ways media does really affect people and how media literacy affects these same people in a positive way.
I conducted a compare and contrast analysis on the different aspects of female serial killers and male serial killers. I researched four different case studies tow from each gender in order to find out the similarities and differences on why some of these killers kill the multiple people that they do. I compared the history and backgrounds, such as where they were born, medical history,past psychiatric history, family history, personal history such as birth and childhood, sexual and martial history, drug and forensic history. I'm studying and comparing the history to understand the different motives and why women serial killers are almost rare to society. Not only that but to understand what can be some factors behind someone who was once an innocent person, commit these serious crimes.
ReplyDeleteThe four case studies were based upon females and males who were ranked most dangerous and notorious. After comparing the histories of these killers, I had created different groups to compare and contrast the similarities in each of these killers motives. These groups consisted with what weapons did they use?, did they have a relationship with their victims?, what medical problem(s) did they have?, were they prescribed with any mental illness?, what kind of crime scene did they have?, and what kind of serial killer are they?
Overall this study was conducted to figure out why in today's society when we hear the word "serial killer" we automatically think of a Caucasian male, but never do we think that a female has the power to conduct these horrendous crimes. Throughout this study i also was looking for what motives and history can we tie together that both genders have when they end up becoming this serial killer.
I dont know why it didnt show my name or whatever but this is from Alyssa Garcia .
DeleteI conducted a survey in order to observe and record the effectiveness of advertising that gun lobbyists use to persuade the minds of citizens. I surveyed 10 adults that are common everyday citizens so that I can obtain more unbiased and accurate results. My participants were chosen based on the criteria that they were over the age of eighteen, and do not own any firearms.
ReplyDeleteIn my survey, I asked questions regarding their opinion on guns on a scale from one through ten, in order to see where they stand at the beginning of the survey to see how their view affects their opinion on the advertising. I also asked questions for instance if “You or someone you knew, has been a witness or victim to a shooting related incident?” I asked these questions before showing the ads to see what kind of background the subjects came from to see how it affects their opinion of the effects of the ads. I also asked “Did any of these ads affect your view or opinion on guns? If so please state which one and why. If not please state why” I asked these questions after they viewed the ads to see if the advertisements did (or did not) affect their opinions or views. By conducting this study, I wanted to find out how effective advertisement attempts are towards the general public, who the target audience truly is, and see if the efforts in advertising could be improved to accommodate the general public.
I conducted two questionnaires in order obtain data about people’s perceptions about nurses regarding as stereotypes of what they look like, act, and their role in the hospital. I surveyed seven adults in my home because it is a household with no medical background. I chose my participants based on their current knowledge about nurses. I had five adults who didn’t have a medical background about nurses or the profession I also interviewed two nurses to understand with experience so that way I could get an accurate representation of both how nurses feel and how the general public feels.
ReplyDeleteIn my questionnaire for the general population group I asked questions such as what they perceive nurses to be and how important they are in the hospital. The nurses with experience had questions like how they feel and what they think people think they do. These questions were important because they provided accurate readings of the general public’s perceptions of nurses. The nurse’s questions were important so I could accurately compare their views with the general publics. For example since I used a series of video clips to go along with the questionnaire I asked “Which clip had the most accurate representation of a nurse?” because I wanted to find out what the general public group thinks a nurse should look like. I asked the nurses the question “How important do you feel is your job” to find out how nurse feels from their point a view. By conducting this study I wanted to find an accurate comparison between how a nurse feels and what a person with no experience thinks.