Respond to at least two colleagues in one or more of the following ways:

• Provide additional resources supporting your colleague’s posting.
• Suggest resources your colleague might use to further his or her knowledge in a particular area.
• Offer alternative viewpoints and insights on your colleague’s post.
• Ask for clarification.

PERSON 1

For this week’s discussion on Data Analysis and Outcome Dissemination, I have chosen the topic of Ethics under qualitative data analysis and the topic of Subgroup Comparisons under quantitative data analysis as what I would like to develop further professionally. As Babbie (2016) states “researchers need both types of analysis to get a complete understanding of social science data.” I have found that research data analysis is very challenging not something of real interest to me even though it is an important part in obtaining data to be used when seeking funding. I would like to grow my knowledge in grant writing to secure funding for the programs in which I provide supports for. Creating a focus group at work will be a good way to gain insight from many different point of views which can enhance the way in which the grant proposal is submitted.

Ethics in qualitative data analysis is very important in data analysis in that as human services professionals we are going to be supporting individuals and families of several different backgrounds and cultures. As a result it will be important to maintain the privacy of those in which we are analyzing the data that has been collected from the research project that has been identified. It is crucial in that subjective judgements and biases are not introduced which can cause researchers to “see what they want to see” (Babbie 2016). The method in which I would use is to generalize the groups in which I was researching. Using an example from a prior job, rather than collecting data from our providers specifically from the different programs that are offered, they could all be placed under the same common umbrella “providers.” Upon completion, the results can then be broken into the different programs without identities being revealed. An annual satisfaction survey can be sent out to the providers seeking feedback on how to improve the program and recognize successes.

Subgroup Comparisons under quantitative data analysis can be used to get an idea as to how our supported individuals and families view a research project. Whether the study is broken down by age groups or cultural backgrounds may provide a large range of data analysis. Within the human/social services fields, there may be very different views as to certain issues that arise and research projects are designed to gather and interpret the data. For instance, older individuals and families may feel as though the services they are receiving are appropriate whereas younger individuals feel as though the services being provided fall short. Creating different surveys focusing on certain age groups using the same questions along with those geared towards each group can be a way to gather data to get an idea where younger age groups need increased supports in one area which may be plentiful in an older age group and vice versa.

References:

Babbie, E. (2016). The basics of social research (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage

Person 2

Quantitative and qualitative analysis were pretty much foreign language to me prior to this class and to be honest I have not become fluent in either all though I do understand the theory and the basics of them. To only pick 2 area’s that I need further understanding is a daunting task, but I will apply what I have learned. Two of the types of analysis that did interest me the most were case oriented analysis and multivariate analysis. I believe that both is a way to understand where people are coming from and how their background or circumstances may have affected them.

Case oriented analysis aims to understand a particular case or several cases by looking closely at the details of each (Evans, Hearn, Uhlemann, & Ivey, 2015). I like to understand what the underlying issues a client that may have may be affecting them. Looking at communities and the demographics of those communities and why there is a higher percentage of something like crime can be accomplished using this type of analysis. In my job I work with people from all demographics all their stories are different, but I have noticed that people from certain area’s often share common issues. If given the opportunity I would like to be participate in this type of research.

Multivariate analysis, which is a type of Quantitative analysis, looks at the simultaneous relationships among several variables. Examining simultaneously the effects of age, gender and social class on religiosity would be an example of multivariate analysis (Evans, Hearn, Uhlemann, & Ivey, 2015). This type of analysis would fall in line with case oriented but instead of being qualitative it would be quantitative. Again, this interest me because of how it looks at demographics as part of the cause. My job does not require any type of research, so I don’t have much opportunity to use these skills professionally. Although I would like to do research so that I can get a better understanding of how it is done. I am a hands-on visual learner and it is easier for me to understand a concept if I can do it while I am learning.

References

Evans, D. R., Hearn, M. T., Uhlemann, M. R., & Ivey, A. E. (2015). Essential Interviewing. Boston: Cengage Learning.