Part 1

Summarize what you used to think research methods was at the beginning of the course and think about how your ideas about research methods have changed as a result of what you have learned in this course. Be sure to explain how you have evolved to this new understanding of what research methods is and how it applies to your discipline.

Part 2

Watch the video on ethical data collection (Links to an external site.) and read the following about Henrietta Lacks:

• Henrietta’s Dance (Links to an external site.)
• Review of Rebecca Skloot, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Links to an external site.)
• Taking the Least of You (Links to an external site.)

ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS

First, let’s start with a question based on your opinion. Consider this:

“Most Americans have their tissue on file somewhere. In 1999 the RAND Corporation published a report that more than 307 million tissue samples from more than 178 million people were stored in the United States. This number, the report said, was increasing by more than 20 million samples each year. These samples come from routine medical tests, operations, clinical trials and research donations.” (See the New York Times article)

• What do you think the repercussions would be if scientists were required to inform and get consent? Would restricting this impede scientific advancements and perhaps harm the public good?

After reading and viewing the materials on Henrietta Lacks, answer the following questions:

• At the time of the incident (prior to the Belmont Report), was there an ethical breach in the medical care that Henrietta Lacks received?
• Was there an ethical breach by the researchers who received Henrietta Lacks cells?

If this happened today:

• What kind of “harm” may have been done to Henrietta or her family by the researchers (intentionally or unintentionally)?
• Is there an ethical consequence for the Lacks family that we should be concerned about?
• Identify other examples, beyond those in the video, of how data is being collected and used and the potential ethical standards that may be violated. How do you recommend that these situations are handled?

Part 3

Sampling Techniques

There are two overarching types of sampling, probability and nonprobability sampling. The most commonly used sampling techniques, which were discussed in your text, include random sampling, stratified random sampling and cluster sampling. These three sampling techniques are grouped under probability sampling because all members of the identified population have an equal chance of being selected for the sample. Convenience and quota sampling fall under the nonprobability sampling type because all members of the identified population do not have an equal chance of being selected for participation in the sample. Once you have identified your sample, you need to know how you are going to collect data from them.

FIELD NOTES

Each note should be composed of four parts:

• Notes
• Description of everything observed or that can be remembered
• Analysis
• Reflection

ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS

Find studies from your discipline that demonstrate each type of sampling technique.

• What technique was applied?
• Was it a representative sample? Why or why not?
• Cite your studies.

Part 4

Please see attachment and also instructions below

FIELD NOTES

Each note should be composed of four parts:

• Notes
• Description of everything observed or that can be remembered
• Analysis
• Reflection

ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS

As you go through this week in your day-to-day life, find a couple of research articles and critique the following section of the article:

Methods

• Who participated in the study? Are there enough details provided for you to be able to identify a similar sample if you were to replicate the study?
• Who was the target population, and do the samples/participants reflect the target population? Based on the information provided, will the author(s) be able to generalize to the target population?
• What was the procedure for selecting the sample? Is there a bias in the selection of the participants based on the sampling technique used?
• Where was the data collected and how?

Part 5

Throughout the first two modules of this course, you have been completing the various sections of your research proposal using the Processfolio. By now you should have a clearly identified topic, research question, independent and dependent variables, a review of the literature, and an appropriate hypothesis based on the literature.

For your third and final Processfolio, you will describe your sample and appropriate sampling method. While working on this Processfolio, be sure to take into consideration responsible ethical research procedures. Even though you will not actually conduct your study, you need to propose a study that is meeting the ethical standards and guidelines we have been discussing throughout the course.

ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS

Submit your completed Processfolio #3 for this activity. Include:

• Sampling description.
• Data collection procedures.
• Describe how you would ensure reliability and validity.
• Discuss how you would communicate your findings.
• Detail how you would obtain informed consent and debriefing (if applicable).

Part 6 (a)

Please see attachment and instructions below for (a)

For this assignment, you will need to develop a short survey using the best practices covered. If your research proposal includes survey administration for your data collection method and you have not found a survey/questionnaire that has been previously developed and validated by researchers in the field, then you are encouraged to develop a survey that will measure your dependent variable (you will need to include this in the appendix of your research proposal). If your data collection method does not include a survey, then you should select a topic for which you can develop a short survey.

Also see Hands-On Guide to Questionnaire Research.

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Create your survey and submit in the dropbox. After the due date for the assignment passes, you will be assigned one of your classmates surveys, for which you will a peer review. To complete your assigned peer review, follow the directions outlined in the video below. You may also use the attached “Peer Review in Canvas Student Guide” to complete and view feedback.

Part 6 (b)

Think about the different data collection strategies covered in this module.

• Are any of the data collection strategies commonly used in your field?
• Identify a data collection strategy that is not commonly used in your field. Discuss either why it is not a good fit or make a brief case as to why professionals in your field should start using it.
• How might you be able to use what you learned in this module in your life, personally and/or professionally?