Welcome to
Unit 2!
January 13, 2011
 Unit
3 Project
 APA Questions
 Unit 2 Reading
 Unit 2 DB




Review of literature: a compilation of prior primary research
completed on the topic
Triangulation: the use of several different methods to test the
same findings
Quantitative research: research that is based on compiling
data and analyzing using numerical methods; it is the
systematic collection and process of organizing and
interpreting data using statistics in order to reach a
conclusion
Qualitative Research: research that is not based on analyzing
from a numerical perspective; it uses methods such as direct
observation and analysis of word usage, attitudes, feelings,
and behaviors in order to explain the phenomenon from an
individual or personal perspective leading to a hypothesis






Option 1:
Locate a qualitative study from the Kaplan Library (start with the communication journals listed
in Appendix A of the text) and then discuss how quantitative research methods could be used
to conduct a complementary study (expand the study, confirm the findings, find further areas
of study, etc.) of the same topic. Include the topic, why it is qualitative, the goal or purpose of
the study, and how quantitative research could be completed to complement the study (explain
with specific examples).
Option 2:
Locate a quantitative study from the Kaplan Library (start with the communication journals
listed in Appendix A of the text) and then discuss how qualitative research methods could be
used to conduct a complementary study (expand the study, confirm the findings, find further
areas of study, etc.) of the same topic. Include the topic, the goal or purpose of the study, why
it is quantitative, and how qualitative research could be completed to complement the study
(explain with specific examples).
Option 3:
Choose a communication research topic and explain how you would conduct research from a
qualitative perspective and also from a quantitative perspective. Explain with specific
examples.
As shown on the rubric in the the syllabus you will be graded on the
following:
1. Content – 80%
- Brief introduction explaining which option was chosen
- Paper is 500 – 600 words (about 2 pages) and addresses all
elements of the chosen option.
2. Readability/ Style 10%
- Sentences are clear, concise, well-constructed, consistently strong
and varied.
- Sentence transitions are present and maintain the flow of thought.
3. Mechanics 10%
- Rules of college grammar, word usage and punctuation are followed.
- Spelling is correct.
- Any References used follow APA guidelines (sources are not
required)
Pointers for Success




The body of your paper should be between 500 and
600 words, or about two pages.
Use one-inch margins on all sides of the paper.
Use a 12-point font such as Times New Roman or
Arial.
The paper will be based on your thoughts and,
therefore, will not require outside citations. However,
if you do cite outside references (including the text),
you will have to provide the source information. In
addition, projects should demonstrate careful
proofreading.
If you have any questions, please ask.
Goals for this unit
 Discuss the questions to ask when evaluating
quantitative and qualitative research
 Discuss the elements of research study and
why they are important



Review the Quantitative and Qualitative Research Report
Checklists in Chapter 2 which details important questions to
ask while reading communication research reports.
For the discussion question this week choose two of the
questions (either both from quantitative research or both
from qualitative research or one question from each) and
explain why the questions are important to evaluating
research.
Also, review the three principles to evaluating research for
both methods in the reading (page 29). Take one of the
principles and explain why it is an important consideration to
evaluating research studies and findings.