Describing research methology and philosophy

Describing research methology and philosophy Saunders et al (2007) described research methodology as a carefully organised and scientific procedure used during a research project which generates results which are in turn assessed. Also the methodology used in any research is developed by the researcher. Saunders et al (2007) revealed five sections in which research projects are usually shaped. Figure 3.1: The Research Onion Saunders et al (2009) described research philosophy as an essential basis on how we view the world. This basis supports research strategy and the procedure a researcher chooses in evaluating the strategy. Also according to Sullivan (2001 pp. 47) research philosophy is a type of philosophy based on scientifically proven facts where the world is thought to exist without consideration of peoples ideas of it and that science uses decisions based on facts to discover what exist in the world. Authors like Malhotra and Birks (2007) support the fact that the scientifically based facts belief can have an effect on research. Furthermore, Sullivan (2001 pp. 48) showed that belief on the philosophy based on feelings, thoughts is where reality of the world generates out of its creation and there is a replacement of social meaning during social interaction. However for the process of this research, philosophy based on feelings and thoughts is chosen over that based on scientific proven ideas because Remenyi, Williams, Money and Swartz (1998 p. 32) showed that philosophy based on scientifically proven ideas work with noticeable social reality and the results of such research can be law like generalisation which is almost the same to those produced by the physical and natural scientist. RESEARCH PURPOSE Saunders et al (2009) defined research purpose as a clear exact statement that point out what the researcher wants to achieve from undertaking the research. However, this purpose can be achieved using any of the following (Saunders et al 2009) Exploratory research Descriptive research and Explanatory research Exploratory research: this type of research is used to find out what is occurring; to seek new and clear understanding; to ask question and evaluate an occurrence in a new light (Robson 2002, p. 59). Furthermore, this research is mainly used to simplify a problem and also reveal if the problem is worth pursuing (Saunders et al 2009). Also, an exploratory research can be changed easily to suit a new situation, this change does not necessarily mean absence of direction, rather it means concentrating on a wide viewpoint and narrowing the research to a more specific manner. (Adams and Schvaneveldt 1991) Descriptive Research; According to Robson (2002 p. 59): descriptive research is a research that seeks to describe an accurate profile of persons, events or situations in a particular way to suit ones opinion. This research involves producing a correct representation of persons or events. (Saunders et al 2009 p. 590) Explanatory research: this type of research seeks to present a direct relationship between variables. In other words, this type of research shows how a variable depends on another and how they affect each other. This research studies a problem or situation in order to generate the relationship between the variables (Saunders et al 2009. pp 591). Several authors like Malhotra and Birks (2007) revealed that this type of research purpose can be used collectively in a research. However for the purpose of this research, the three purpose method was used. Research Approach According to Saunders et al (2009); there are two types of research approach available to researchers namely; Deductive Approach and Inductive Approach The deductive approach involves five stages in which research will be carried out (Robson 2002) Deducing the hypothesis from the theory- this involves analysing the relationship between two or more variables. Expressing the hypothesis in operational terms- this involves the identification of how the variable will be measured. Testing the operational hypothesis Examining the outcomes of the inquiry- this involves making sure the theory is right or suggesting modification to the theory improving the theory using the research findings Furthermore, this type of approach is carefully organised, collects quantitative data, and need to collect data from a sufficient sample size in order to generalise conclusion (Saunders et al 2009) Inductive approach; this approach involves the generation of a theory as a result of the evaluation of the empirical data. (Saunders et al 2009 pp 593) Also, it involves understanding the kind of problem and how it concerns the context in which it occurs. Also this type of research tends to use small sample of subject as against the large sample used in deductive approach. However for the purpose of this research both inductive approach was used because of the large sample that can be used to define a theory as well as the fact that inductive approach can be changed to fit any situation and the researcher can be more involved in the research process. Choices Saunders et al (2009) revealed that there are multiple method choices available to a researcher to collect data namely: qualitative and quantitative techniques. According to Denzin, Norman, Lincoln and Yvonna (2005); qualitative research technique is a method of getting required information used in many academic discipline and market research. Also, Chris Vaughan-Jones (2010) showed that qualitative research uses observation from participant and non participants, semi structured interview, unstructured interview and analysis of documents and materials. While quantitative research technique is systematic investigation of countable properties and observable happenings and their relationship (Kuhn 1961). Furthermore, quantitative data are usually gathered using questionnaires in which the data collected will be coded using numerical codes and later analysed. However, for the purpose of this research, both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to collect data. (Quantitative method was in form of questionnaires while qualitative method was in form of a focus group) Time horizon Ester by- Smith, Thorpe, Jackson and Lowe (2008) revealed that a research design can take the shape of a cross-sectional studies or longitudinal studies. A cross-sectional study usually uses the survey strategy as it seeks to describe incidence of a phenomenon (ester by- Smith et al 2008). On the other hand longitudinal study uses observation of people or an event over a period of time in which the researcher is able to control the time changing properties involved, provided that they are not affected by the research process (Saunders et al 2009) However, cross-sectional study was used for this research because all the data collected was obtained from a sample of internet banking customers at different time of the day and different days of the week using questionnaires. Research strategy Research strategy can be described as a general plan in which research questions are answered. Also, research strategy involves the use of research questions as well as research objectives, amount of time, extent of existing knowledge and resources available (Saunders et al 2009). Furthermore, the major research strategies available to researchers are experiment, survey, case study, action research, grounded theory, ethnography, and archival research (Saunders et al 2009) Experiment- according to Saunders et al (2009 p 142), experiment is a form of research that involves a scientific test which features strongly in much social science research especially psychology. Furthermore, Hakim (2000) showed that experiments seek to reveal whether a change in one independent variable will cause a change in another dependent variable. Survey- this is to collect a large amount of data from a particular population based on their views about a particular subject, it employs the use of explorative and descriptive research approach (Saunders et al 2009 pp. 144). Furthermore, survey strategy allows a researcher to collect quantitative data which can be analysed using descriptive and inferential data (Saunders et al 2009). Case study; Robson (2002 pp 178) described case study as a plan for doing research which involves an empirical investigation of a particular happening with its real life counterparts using different sources of evidence. Also, case study creates a detailed understanding of a research context and the processes involved (Morris and Woods 1991). Furthermore, Yin (2003) revealed that case study uses triangulate multiple sources of data because it uses different methods of data collection with a study to ensure that data collected are accurate and useful. Action research; Saunders et al (2009 pp. 587) described action research as a research strategy that is involved with management of change, also involving a close connectivity between practitioner and researcher. Coghlan and Brannick (2005) revealed that research should pay more attention on resolving organisational issues like effecting change together with the person that experiences the change directly. Grounded theory; this can be described as the theory that was developed from data gotten from series of observations or interviews involving an inductive approach (Saunders et al 2009 pp 592). Furthermore, Goulding (2002) revealed that grounded theory strategy helps in predicting and explaining behaviour in a research which brings about building and developing a theory. Ethnography: this strategy is used to describe and explain the social world through first hand field study (Saunders et al 2009 pp 591). This strategy involves participative observation and it is consumes a lot of time because it is done over a period of time making the researcher involving in the social world being observed (Saunders et al 2009). Archival research: this type of research strategy uses managerial works and records as its major data source (Saunders et al 2009 pp 150). However the data collected through this strategy are analysed because it is a product of daily activities (Hakim 2000). However Saunders et al (2009) revealed that the above strategies can be combined in a research, the survey strategy was used as a result of its ability to collect quantitative data as well as its ability to answer questions like who, what, where, how much, and how many; also because it uses exploratory and descriptive research techniques.

The Power of Ping-Pong Balls :: essays research papers

The Power of Ping-Pong Balls Being assigned an I-Search paper, I was to acquire a question that was appealing to me, and that I did. It all started after mindless searches via the internet and some procrastination, to which I found myself to be in front of the television. While I knew I should be looking for a suitable question, I still sat there watching on. I happened to be flipping through the channels when a commercial for the Mythbusters brought about the question if one can raise a sunken vessel with ping-pong balls, to which I thought, â€Å"Why would anyone want to use ping-pong balls to raise a- hey, that could be my question!† It was so hilariously stupid that it caught my attention, so I used it. I started my search by contacting my grandfather, John Walker, whom has been a boating enthusiast for his entire life. I asked him if he thought it was possible to raise a boat with ping-pong balls, to which he replied, â€Å"Why in the [world] would you want to use ping-pong balls?† He went on to tell me that he had heard a myth saying that a man raised his unfortunate ship using ping-pong balls, made from a factory he worked at. He also told me that to do so, one would have to use a ton of ping-pong balls and that all of the openings would have to be sealed to prevent any balls from escaping. It seemed possible, but I still didn’t have a definitive answer to my question, so I kept on.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After my not-so-definitive interview with my grandfather I used msn.com to search the internet for anything related to the question I had chosen. Doing so lead me to a site which told of a Danish engineer, Karl Kroyer, that had tried to patent such and idea but was denied by the German Patent Office because of an American comic strip which described his idea of using ping-pong balls to raise a ship. This really didn’t answer my question but it did give an idea to where the myth came from. So I went to aj.com where I found a site for The International Starch Institute in Denmark, where it told of Karl Kroyer but not what the first site I visited told of. The site for I.S.I. says that Karl Kroyer was enlisted to raise a two-thousand gross-ton freighter of the Persian Gulf floor and he decided to use a method described in a Donald Duck comic strip.

Arthur Dimmesdale’s Guilt and Hypocrisy Essay

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s gripping tale, The Scarlet Letter, a revered Puritan minister suffers from cowardly guilt and hypocrisy after he commits adultery in this novel staged in the seventeenth century. Arthur Dimmesdale, who hides himself in the shame of his lover, Hester Prynne, protects his reputation among the Puritan people. The scaffold, a public symbol of disgrace, contrasts with the pastor’s silent sin of adultery. When Hester became a symbol of sin among the people and wore the scarlet letter as punishment, Dimmesdale bears a sinner’s masked mark in his heart. As a result of his concealed sin, Dimmesdale suffers from guilt and hypocrisy. Over the course of the three scaffold scenes, Dimmesdale changes from cowardly guilt and hypocrisy, to desperate guilt and hypocrisy, and finally to repentant hope. In the first scaffold scene, Dimmesdale is aware of his guilt and hypocrisy when he questions his lover, Hester Prynne, but is too cowardly to confess his sin. Questioning the adulteress from a balcony alongside the spiritual and political leaders of the Puritan colony, the author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, correlates Dimmesdale’s elevated position among the Puritan colony and shows Dimmesdale’s reputation at stake. Placing pressure on the young woman, Dimmesdale pleads, â€Å"Be not silent from any mistaken pity and tenderness for him; for believe me, Hester, though he were to step down from a high place and stand there beside thee, on thy pedestal of shame, yet better were it so, than to hide a guilty heart through life.†1 Wordlessly relieved by her silence, Dimmesdale cowardly withheld his sin from the public. The significance of Dimmesdale’s cowardice parallels with the shame and fear of the scaffold and the mockery it brings. Seven years later, in the second scaffold scene, Dimmesdale is desperate to confess because his guilt and hypocrisy have only increased, but he manages only a cowardly private rehearsal of his confession. In the still of the night, Dimmesdale desperately climbed the scaffold and shrieked aloud, â€Å"It is done!†2 It was not so. Shrieking aloud like those suffering souls who turn away from the face of God, Dimmesdale felt little relief from the iron chains of guilt and hypocrisy. Longing to free his guilty soul, Dimmesdale stood on the scaffold imagining Hester’s disgrace. Illustrating his inner conflicts, Dimmesdale had expressed himself by screaming aloud. Immediate horror encompassed him because he is afraid of being discovered by the town. Alone in the abyss of darkness, upon the pedestal of shame, Dimmesdale found little relief in his priv ate confession in the second scaffold scene. Finally, a few days later, Dimmesdale confesses his sin publicly in the third scaffold scene, showing his repentance and thereby finding relief from guilt and hypocrisy. Allowing his sin to fester in his heart for over seven years, Dimmesdale, now a dying man from sin, decided to ascend the scaffold. Dimmesdale, understanding that he, a dying man, sought mercy and forgiveness, and climbed the pedestal in guilty remorse. â€Å"Ye that have loved me!—ye, that have deemed me holy!—behold me here, the one sinner of the world! At last I stand upon the spot where seven years since, I should have stood!†3 Beckoning Hester and their child, Pearl, to his side, Dimmesdale’s voice strengthened. As he confesses, the people recognized Dimmesdale bore the same stigma that marked Hester. Dimmesdale asks for forgiveness, therefore completing his necessary duty to receive the benefit of redeeming grace and hope and releasing himself from the devil’s clutches. A dramatic character, Dimmesdale changes through the course of three scaffold scenes as a result of his hidden sins. Arthur Dimmesdale acknowledges his sin in the last scaffold scene as he realizes his cowardice when Hester is punished and acknowledges his sufferings caused by his hidden sins seven years later. Driven by the realization that his offences dictate his life, Dimmesdale’s sins choked him from a deeper spiritual life. At first without success, Arthur Dimmesdale tried to free himself, but doesn’t do so until the third scaffold scene when he finally confesses. In conclusion, Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author of The Scarlet Letter, reminds the reader to be wary of cowardly guilt and hypocrisy as demonstrated in Arthur Dimmesdale’s character: â€Å"Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred.†4 Free of guilt and hypocrisy in his public confession, Dimmesdale died in hope of God’s mercy. 1-4 Nathaniel Hawthorne, the Scarlet Letter (Dover Thrift Study Edition: The Complete Work + Comprehensive Study Guide: Copyright 2009 by Dover Publications) p. 47, p. 102, p. 127, p. 174 Copyright 2013. All Rights Reserved. This work belongs to Ashlyn R. Thomas and may not be reproduced without consent. If found plagiarizing and/or using this work, you will be prosecuted. This is only to be used as inspiration, and not taken as someone else’s own work.

Reflections on Sensitive Patient Care essays

Reflections on Sensitive Patient Care essays This assignment is a reflective account of events that that took place on a shift while I was at work as a health care assistant at my workplace. It is an establishment that has enrollment of thirteen pupils, and they are also boarding at their home near the school. I will call the child X to maintain confidentiality. I was on shift and it was lunch time and there was short shortage so I was assigned to assist with lunch and feeding. I was introduced to child X who I had not looked after the therapeutic relationship which is the care giver and care receiver relationship, there is the therapeutic rapport to establish from a sense of trust and a mutual understanding exists between the two that build in a special link of the relationship according to Harkeruder and Hagan (2004). Peplau cited in Harkreader and Hagan (2004) notes that a good contact in a therapeutic relationship builds trust as well as would the patients self- esteem which could lead to personal growth for the patient. Re usch (1961) mentions that the purpose of therapeutic communication, is to improve the patients ability to function. So in-order to establish a therapeutic patient-nurse interaction a nurse must show a caring, sincerity, empathy and trustworthiness. This paragraph will discuss my feelings as the events took place. Before I started feeding her I introduced myself, I tried to build a good rapport with her as I did not want her to feel strange as she was not familiar with me. Child A was on a soft diet as she had difficulty with swallowing. I asked her permission to feed her. She looked at me and looked like a blur, I this situation, I showed emphatic listening as I put myself in her shoes. According to Wold (2004) emphatic listening is about the willingness to understand the other person not just judging the persons fact. I touched her shoulder, kept asking and raised my tone a bit because I was afraid that she was not hearing what I w...

Free Essays on Virgil And Dante

DANTE'S VIRGIL: A LIGHT THAT FAILED In memory of J. Arthur Hanson No linked pair of poets has, over the centuries, been considered as so significantly related a pair of poet-prophets as Dante and Virgil. Not only does each of them present himself in the role of the vates or prophet, but their works contain solemn moments of explicitly prophetic utterance, promising us that we shall behold a novam progeniem of one sort or another. It further seems clear that Dante's presentation of himself as prophetic poet is at least importantly joined with his sense of Virgil's own assumption of that role. Among the past generation of Dante's readers it has become increasingly germane to place his role as poet into relation with his self-presentation as Judeo-Christian prophet. The  «Italian school », in which the most significant name in our century is probably that of Bruno Nardi, and the  «scuola arnericana », led by Charles Singleton, have in common, for all their many desperate differences, an awareness of Dante's appropriations of the vestments of such as David, Jeremiah, Isaiah, John the Baptist, St. Paul, and of John's vision on Patmos. Surely no one who reads even cursorily in the dantology is innocent of the notion of  «Dante theologus-poeta ». Whether or not this putative reader admires or rejects a theological formulation of the Comedy's essential stance, all can see that the second half of our century has seen the direction of Dante studies move away from aestheticism and toward theology. The questions which such a perception of Dante's theological purposes in his poem necessarily enjoin most dramatically concern Virgil. Just as we should never forget to be amazed at Dante's choice of Virgil as guide and master in this vigorously Christian poem, neither should we cease to be pestered by associated doubts: How can the prophetic enterprise of Virgil be assimilated to the specifically Christian purposes of the Comedy?... Free Essays on Virgil And Dante Free Essays on Virgil And Dante DANTE'S VIRGIL: A LIGHT THAT FAILED In memory of J. Arthur Hanson No linked pair of poets has, over the centuries, been considered as so significantly related a pair of poet-prophets as Dante and Virgil. Not only does each of them present himself in the role of the vates or prophet, but their works contain solemn moments of explicitly prophetic utterance, promising us that we shall behold a novam progeniem of one sort or another. It further seems clear that Dante's presentation of himself as prophetic poet is at least importantly joined with his sense of Virgil's own assumption of that role. Among the past generation of Dante's readers it has become increasingly germane to place his role as poet into relation with his self-presentation as Judeo-Christian prophet. The  «Italian school », in which the most significant name in our century is probably that of Bruno Nardi, and the  «scuola arnericana », led by Charles Singleton, have in common, for all their many desperate differences, an awareness of Dante's appropriations of the vestments of such as David, Jeremiah, Isaiah, John the Baptist, St. Paul, and of John's vision on Patmos. Surely no one who reads even cursorily in the dantology is innocent of the notion of  «Dante theologus-poeta ». Whether or not this putative reader admires or rejects a theological formulation of the Comedy's essential stance, all can see that the second half of our century has seen the direction of Dante studies move away from aestheticism and toward theology. The questions which such a perception of Dante's theological purposes in his poem necessarily enjoin most dramatically concern Virgil. Just as we should never forget to be amazed at Dante's choice of Virgil as guide and master in this vigorously Christian poem, neither should we cease to be pestered by associated doubts: How can the prophetic enterprise of Virgil be assimilated to the specifically Christian purposes of the Comedy?...

The democratization and personalization of the media Essay

The democratization and personalization of the media - Essay Example He's also a fanatic user of the WEB. Aside from using the WEB for his job for current events from local to abroad, he uses it also for his personal purposes. According to him, its "one of the fantastic form of media. A great source of information as well as disinformation. It is like an online library where you can access everything that you want to know. Everything that is relevant to my job like newspapers, journals, and books are all in the Web without actually visiting the library. And find it very comfortable and effective." Nowadays, the web hit the bigtime, everyone got online, everyone got high-speed access at work, and make technology know-how unnecessary. The information on the World Wide Web can be accessed and searched through the Internet, a global computer network.The amount of information on the Web continues to grow rapidly, it offers different services, in online commerce, the Web is replacing traditional catalog for ordering in just a mouse click. Users form a cross-section of society, including students preparing term papers, physicians researching the latest medical information, and college applicants investigating campuses or even filling out application and financial aid forms online. Other users include investors examining the trading history of a company's stock or evaluating data on various commodities and mutual funds. All the necessary information is available on the Web. b. How the web influences personal relationships "You've Got Mail!" I'm actually excited when receiving mails from my listeners and give comments about a certain topic." He makes discussion with them through e-mail and sometimes blogging his ideas in different forum in regards to current issues like love, education especially in politics. The web truly influences him when in comes to personal relationships as he is a happy married man. He contributes his so-called "loving-ideas" in forum area and share different ideas and opinions on "how to have a happy married life". Web offers e-mail, web blogs and chat rooms. These are accessible by many web users. It is designed to make a easy communication, it allows the users to post and read messages as well as personal messages that makes people to share ideas in certain discussion. c. How the web influences the enjoyment or happiness "During my rest hours and after work I used to listen to my favorite and top music I downloaded from the Internet. It's so relaxing". Sometimes I watch videos featuring a documentary and historical videos from the past. I really enjoy it." Web is a source of music and video. It provides multimedia such as audio and video. Mr. Buting is very proud to present his latest video captured from the Web that features the

Emile Durkheim Theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Emile Durkheim Theories - Essay Example His contribution in literature was also immense and is valued up to date (Cuff and Francis 2004, p. 40). One of the main concerns of Durkheim was how the society was formed and how it operated. He observed the formation of the society and the maintenance of social order. He was concerned with the integrity and coherence of the modern society. In this case Durkheim recognized how the society was being transformed by the changes that were taking place in the social life of the people. Durkheim looked closely the shared religious and ethnic background that was changing the life of the society. According to Durkheim, the social changes that were taking place due to religion and ethnic changes could not be ignored in the definition of a normal society. These factors determined how the society was formed and how it operated. To understand the nature of the society and the changes that were taking place, Durkheim constructed as social science model (Giddens 2001, p. 69). Along with Herbert Spence, they developed the first scientific model that could be used to analyze and explain social phenomena. This model which was based on the social facts could be used to explain the existence and quality of different parts that makes up the society. This was explained well by making reference to the different functions of the social facts in maintaining the quotidian and therefore they can be assured as the precursors to functionalism (Durkheim 1938, p. 301). Although Durkheim showed that the society was made up of different parts, he also explained that these parts doest not entirely constitute the whole society. The society was more than these parts and their interrelationship. According to Durkheim, the society has a complex arrangement that is held together by a social fabric (Lukes 1982, p. 60). Durkheim pointed out that while you needed facts in studying science, you do not even know the facts that are relevant to you not until you create the science. This means that we have to use imagination in order to create science that could be used to study the society even before you find out that the science we have created is really imperfect. Therefore Durkheim explained his understanding of the society in view of social fact. He explained social facts as the phenomena which exist in and of themselves although they are not bound to action of individual members of the society. Therefore social facts were different from the action of the individuals. They had a greater objective than the sum total of actions of individuals that compose the society. (Ritzer 2004, p. 21) Unlike his contemporaries like Ferdinand Tonnies or Marx Weber who were considered to have made contribution to the study of the society, Durkheim did not focus on what motivates the action of the individuals in the society but he rather focused on the social facts. His studies were not based on the methodological individualism but focused on the social facts that influence the life of individuals in the society although they are very different from the actions of the individuals. According to Durkheim social facts are made up of different ways of acting and feeling which are not tied to the individual persons. These ways possesses power of coercion which they impose upon individual member