Research Methodology: Data Collection and Analysis

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Table of Contents

Research Methodology
Data Collection
Instrumentation
Sampling technique
Data Analysis
References

Research Methodology

This chapter discusses the methodological approaches used by the researcher to collect, analyze and present its research findings. In this case, the study followed a positivist and phenomenological paradigm. The selection of the paradigm determines how the study expresses the underlying research perspective toward how things are connected (Brenda, 2003).

The study’s choice of a positivism and phenomenal approach remain appropriate to the study. This paradigm succeeds in investigating the study scenario in its natural setting to deal with the existing factors affecting children because of the “No Child left Behind Act.”

Data Collection

The researcher used a mixed research design in the collection, and analysis of data. The study shall collect quantitative data by administering a survey questionnaire. The survey instrument shall enable the researcher to collect and analyze empirical data to investigate the effect of “No Child left Behind” Act on children. The collection of quantitative data is appropriate to determining the existence and extent of the relationship between the Act and several strategic effects (Brenda, 2003).

The researcher’s choice of a qualitative research design remains appropriate to the study scenario because it allows a researcher to examine the phenomenon in its natural setting during the study. Phenomenological approach enables the researcher to explain factors influencing the factors in the research topic to enable a plausible explanation of the study theory.

Instrumentation

The researcher collected qualitative data by using focused interviews to assess the effect of the Act on disabled children (Brenda, 2003). The interview shall consist of open-ended questions to give a general insight into the possible effects of the programs under the guidance of “No Child left Behind” Act.

The use of open-end questions is to help the researcher to win first hand confidence of the respondents, and objectivity of the responses (Merriam, 1998).

Sampling technique

The study utilizes a random sampling approach in selecting the sample of the study. This technique ensures that the research cushions its results from errors of biased source of data.

Data Analysis

Qualitative Data Analysis

The researcher’s use of thematic analysis to analyze interview findings helps to analyze data drawn from interviews (Merriam, 1998). This approach is based on fundamental trends, patterns of behavior or life exhibited by individuals within their environment. After interview data, the researcher developed patterns related to the data.

Later, data cataloguing was used to identify and formulate themes. Pattern grouping was finally done and relationships between groups determined (Merriam, 1998). This gave room for a general assertion that could explain and clarify practices of “No Child left Behind” Act on disabled children.

Quantitative Data Analysis

Quantitative research on the other hand, deals with collecting and analyzing numeric data. This form of research entails the use of relatively large-scale data in order to examine or ascertain a social phenomenon through statistical analysis. In this research, the researcher selected a qualitative research design with the view to answer the research question under review. According to Merriam (1998), qualitative research studies things in their natural way or setting, in which the researcher is an integral tool in data collection.

Under this approach, data collected is in the form of words, or pictures and the outcome are used as a process and not product. The application of qualitative research method in this study was to enable the research to find and develop theories that would explain the relationship between variables through elements of qualitative research (Brenda, 2003).

References

Brenda, L. (2003). Design research: methods and perspectives. New York: MIT Press.

Merriam, S. B. (1998). Qualitative research and case study applications in education. New York, NY: Jossey-Bass Publishers

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