A500.6.3.RB_OYEYEMIOLUSANYA

            Qualitative research

Qualitative research, broadly defined, means "any kind of research that produces findings not arrived at by means of statistical procedures or other means of quantification" (Strauss and Corbin, 1990, p. 17).

"If you want people to understand better than they otherwise might, provide them information in the form in which they usually experience it" (Lincoln and Guba, 1985, p. 120).

Basis for the Use of a Qualitative Methodology is for a better understanding of any phenomenon, to gain new perspectives on things about which much is already known, or to gain more in-depth information that may be difficult to convey, Strauss and Corbin (1990).

Features of Qualitative Research are:

·      Uses of natural setting as a sources of data

·      Act as the human instrument

·      Use inductive data analysis

·      Reports are descriptive, expressive language and the "presence of voice in the text" (Eisner, 1991, p. 36).

·      Interpretative

·      Pay attention to individual influence or physical effect seeking the uniqueness of each case.

·      Focus on emerging process as well as the outcomes of the research.

·      Uses special criteria for trustworthiness.

 The Role of the Researcher in Qualitative Inquiry

·      Adopt the stance suggested by the characteristics of the naturalist paradigm.

·      Develop the level of skill appropriate for a human instrument, or the vehicle through which data will be collected and interpreted.

·      Prepare a research design that utilizes accepted strategies for naturalistic inquiry

·      Able to interact with the situation.

·      Ability to collect information at multiple levels simultaneously.

·      Perceive situations holistically.

·      Process data as soon as they become available.

·      Provide immediate feedback and request verification of data.

Research Design and Data Collection Strategies

·      Determine a focus for the inquiry.

·      Determine the fit of the research paradigm to the research focus.

·      Determine where and from whom data will be collected.

·      Determine what the successive phases of the inquiry will be.

·      Determine what additional instrumentation may be used.

·      Plan data collection and recording modes.

·      Plan which data analysis procedures will be used.

·      Plan the logistics of data collection, including scheduling and budgeting.

·      Plan the techniques that will be used to determine trustworthiness.

Sampling Strategies for Qualitative Researchers

Data Collection Techniques

·      Interviews

·      Observation

An interview guide or "schedule" is a list of questions or general topics that the interviewer wants to explore during each interview.

 Recording Data. A basic decision going into the interview process is how to record interview data.

An observation is the classic form of data collection in naturalistic or field research is observation of participants in the context of a natural scene. Observational data are used for the purpose of description-of settings, activities, people, and the meanings of what is observed from the perspective of the participants. Observation can lead to deeper understandings than interviews alone, because it provides a knowledge of the context in which events occur, and may enable the researcher to see things that participants themselves are not aware of, or that they are unwilling to discuss (Patton, 1990). A skilled observer is one who is trained in the process of monitoring both verbal and nonverbal cues, and in the use of concrete, unambiguous, descriptive language.

TYPES:

·      Informal, conversational interviews

·      Semi-structured interviews

·      Standardized, open-ended interviews.

Analysis of Data

As the raw data are broken down into manageable chunks, the researcher must also devise an "audit trail"-that is, a scheme for identifying these data chunks according to their speaker and the context. The particular identifiers developed may or may not be used in the research report, but speakers are typically referred to in a manner that provides a sense of context (see, for example, Brown, 1996; Duffee and Aikenhead, 1992; and Sours, 1997).

Judging Qualitative Research

The Role of the Reader

·      Coherence

·      Consensus

Reference: http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v9n1/hoepfl.html

A500.5.3.RB_OYEYEMIOLUSANYA

Take some time to reflect on the current state of your critical thinking competencies.  Consider your thinking processes when you started the course.  Have they changed at all?  Have you been able to internalize any of the techniques and concepts you have learned?

Among all the classes, I have taking for this degree program; one thing that always comes to mind when faced with challenging task is “Critical Thinking” Whenever I altered it, I will smile and the question at issue mixed with my purpose will challenge me to brainstorm further.

In many occasions, my assumptions may have to change by welcoming my colleague’s ideas, which may be the lasting solution at the end of the day.  Maintenance of machines or equipment requires teamwork in many occasions no matter how skilful you are.

Unlike before, now I think and reflect on my taught before presenting it.  Listen the more because I am been inquisitive of its implications and consequences.  Now, I know better while people do not share the same concept with me in an argument or discussion because they do not see it from my own point of view.  In most cases, they lack vital information than could leads to reasonable facts.

What will it take to make lasting, positive changes in the way you think?

I think for lasting, positive changes in the way I think is by frequent use of all the critical thinking elements and application of the standards to develop an habits and practice in it.

A500.4.3.RB_OYEYEMIOLUSANYA-Ballet Slippers or Adorable

View the TED video by Sheena Iyengar on the art of choosing. Dr. Iyengar assumes that Americans believe the following when it comes to making choices:

1. Make your own choices,
2. More options leads to better choices, and
3. Never say no to choice.

Reflect on these assumptions in your Leadership blog.  Do you agree with Dr. Iyengar?  What is the implication of her comments on leadership?  Make sure to stay tuned through the end to see Dr. Iyengar's Action Research on pink nail polish.

This is a great video by TED with Sheena Iyenger, full of insight and inspirations.  She said there is happiness in our choice.  Of cause yes, when our choice works, we are happy for making such decision and inspire us.  However, when it turns otherwise, not everyone is capable of accepting its consequences rather it will be blame on something or someone.

It is a good deal when there are multiple choices to select from but it may pose confusion sometimes.  For example, when my brother was preparing for his wedding, while distributing the wedding invitation I met one of his friends who was ripe for marriage as well.  He was confused of choosing among his seven girl friends.

In Nigeria, we have seen situations where parent will mandate whom to marry and even to a polygamous home and such marriage last for their lifetime.  Choices can be influenced at time or supported.

Leaders should be accountable for the result of their choices, and should not allow it to be affected by emotion.  All standards and rules that are applicable should be put into consideration in making choice.  For example, a task for Human Resources Manager, to employ new staff, there will be company guide for the right candidate.

In the present world, connection to the people of the same leadership role can be of help in making choice.  One can make his choice open for discussion before conclusion or before choosing request his colleagues’ opinion and evaluate it for his final choice to have a trustworthy result.

Dr. Iyengar’s Action Research on pink nail polish is a very good illustration that we should evaluate people’s opinion before accepting them and knows the reason behind their choices.  Their reason may not be relevant to our goal.  For example, when I was about to make final choice on what course to choose for my Master program.  I had these choices; Master of Science in Leadership, Master of Science in Environmental Safety and Master of Science in Project management.

However, my boss suggestion was another degree in Electrical / Electronics Engineering.  The angle at which he viewed it was that, because NAVY did not employ me as an officer because of my age, even with my degree.  It will be difficult to get a leadership job when I get out.

Leaders should be focus on the reason, motivator behind their choice though people advices can be considered but the result is theirs.  There was an illustration I grow up with, that, there was a boy who challenge an old man that the man should show him his wisdom as people used to refer to him as the wisest in the community.

The boy was holding two birds in both hands and asking him which one of the bird, left or right is alive.  The man said, “If I tell you the birds in any of the hand is alive, you will squiz your hand and kill it.  However, either dead or alive both are in your hand.  That is, our choices is ours, either it result to positive or negative we should be ready for its accountability.

A500.3.4.RB_OYEYEMIOLUSANYA- Blog - Explore the Hunt Library

As you explore the Hunt Library, reflect on how you might use the Library as a resource for your studies.
How is the scholarly information you found in the library different from the typical information you find when you Google a leadership concept?

Hunt Library 

Searching through Hunt Library Data base reveals that I have been searching for information that was readily available. The illustration is embedded.

Research guides recommend resources, such as databases, journals, books and web pages and cover finding information specific to a course, an assignment, a general topic or a specific subject.  

 EAGLEsearch

 An all-in-one tool that will search online catalog of books (Voyager) as well as many of our online databases at the same time.

Books

This tab to locate both print and electronic book. 

Articles

This tab gives access to online databases to find journal articles and other full-text information.

FAQ

This link finds an immediate answer to question by visiting Hunt Library's list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Ask a Librarian

Gives details about the Hunt Library's e-mail chat and telephone research services.

Besides the Hunt Library website, there are telephone, e-mail and chat

research services.

Customized Research Strategy

Facilitate the borrowing of books from collection or track down a journal article.

Research Strategy

·      Suggestions for research databases for finding articles, reports, books, and other items of interest.

·      Suggested search terms appropriate for each recommended database.

·      Referrals to other useful websites.

Recommended Database

Makes it possible to return results that are not full text by e-mailing the article citations to the Research Librarians.

Citation List

The librarians will review list of documents to determine what the library owns.

Document Delivery

  Most items can be scanned and made available online, an e-mail with links to the requested documents as soon as they are available.

Circulating Collection

Anyone can check out books from the circulating collection.  Worldwide students will receive requested books by mail.

Table of Contents

 Specific table of contents can be personalising for review and then scan and post the sections needed.

 Periodicals

 In addition to the collection of periodical titles (journals, trade publications and magazines) available through the online resources, the Hunt Library also subscribes to many print periodical titles, all of which are available to both campus and Worldwide

Research Services Department

All of the materials in the Hunt Library are available at research Services department and responds within two business days (usually much sooner!).

E-mail Notification when documents have been posted to the web.

EAGLEsearch Results

·      Another way is to choose a limiter from the menu on the left side of the page.

·      Limit the search to articles from scholarly publications, including peer-reviewed.

·      Full-text items are clearly identified.

·      Items that are not full-text can be requested from the Hunt Library.  These items are identified by the designation Citation Online.

·      Clicking on Citation Online will take the full and complete citation for the article.

Requesting Non-Full-Text (Citation)

Non-full-text items can be requested by copying and pasting the citation information (author, title, publication information, date and page number) in e-mail to: library@erau.edu.  Items owned by the library will be scanned and posted on the web as PDF files for access, except for books, which can be checked out.

Focused research?

Focused research involves searching subject-specific databases that offer additional search features and highlight authors who are experts in their fields. Focused research will generally return fewer results, but the majority will be relevant to topic.

Variety of Databases

 The Hunt Library offers a variety of research databases to meet all the research needs. Most often, one will encounter three types of databases: General, Subject-Specific, and Data-Intensive.

General Databases

General databases cover a wide range of subjects all in one.  Examples of general databases and the kinds of information they identify are:

·      ProQuest Central    

Provides citations, abstracts, and some full-text items covering all subject areas including business, economics, psychology and computing.

·      OmniFile Full Text Mega

Provides citations and some full-text items from magazines, journals, and newspapers covering a range of topics from aviation to social sciences and humanities.

·      Gale Virtual Reference Library

Provides access to books on subjects ranging from encyclopedias and almanacs to specialized reference sources.

Subject-Specific Databases

Subject-specific databases specialize in a particular subject and generally include resources from scholarly sources.  Examples of subject-specific databases and the type of information they identify are:

·      Aerospace Database    

Provides citations and abstracts to aviation/aerospace journal articles, a conference proceeding, NASA documents and technical reports.

·      Engineering Village    

Provides citations and abstracts to journal articles, conference proceedings, government reports and books in all fields of engineering and technology.

·      PsycINFO        

Provides citations and abstracts to human factors and psychological scholarly research.

Data-Intensive Databases

Like subject-specific databases, data-intensive databases are typically more specialized in nature.  They are subject-specific databases that contain actual data and statistics rather than articles.  Examples of data-intensive databases and the kinds of information they identify are:

·      Airline Monitor    

Reviews trends in the airline and commercial jet aircraft industries, including financial, traffic, fleet and manufacturing data and forecasts.

·      ICAOData    

Provides full-text access to detailed financial, traffic, personnel, and fleet information for commercial air carriers.

·      Mergent Key Business Ratios    

Provides access to industry ratios, trends, and company/industry ratio comparisons.

Choosing a Database

Since the Hunt Library subscribes to many databases, it can often feel overwhelming when trying to determine which databases to use

One way to determine the best databases for specific topics is by using the Database Chooser located on the Research Databases page.

Database Chooser - Subject Categories

The Database Chooser is divided into broad subject categories.  Clicking on a subject category such as Aerospace/Aviation will list the databases that cover topics in that subject area.

Research Help

Another way to determine which database to search for specific topics is by using the Hunt Library's Research Guides.  Through Research Guides, choose Research Help tab on EAGLEsearch.  The Research Guides are divided into several categories.  Consult the Subject Guides for recommendations on selecting a subject-appropriate database.

 Research Help - Subject Guides

Just like the Database Chooser, the Subject Guides are divided into many subject categories.  Clicking on a category such as Aerospace/Aviation will list several more sub-categories that are specific.

Research Guide - Aerospace Engineering

Choosing a sub-category such as Aerospace Engineering will guide the information in that specific subject area.  On clicking the Articles tab in the guide will list the recommended databases.

Accessing the Databases

·      Just like EAGLEsearch, databases can be access from the Library's homepage, first choosing the Hunt Library.

·      Locate and choose the Articles tab above the EAGLEsearch box, and then click on the link labelled "List of All Research Databases”.

Research Databases

·      The Research Databases page lists all of the databases available.  Three ways to help narrow the list and choose the proper databases to search for the topic: the Database Chooser, Research Guides, and Ask a Librarian.

·      In addition to the Database Chooser.  The Database Key gives important information about the symbol next to the database names in the listing.  Not everything in these databases will be available full-text.  The full-text icon indicates that some or all of the items may be available in full text format.

Database Help

Another useful feature available on the Research Databases page is the Database Help.  Beside each database is a question mark icon.

 Clicking on the question mark will pull up information about searching that specific database. 

Search Tips

How to access the databases and recognize how to choose which ones to search for information on a topic, here are some important search tips to keep in mind when searching databases:

1. Quotes are used in many databases to tell the database that the words enclosed must be searched as an exact phrase ("human factors").

2. The asterisk (*) is a truncation symbol, which allows the database to search for variant word endings (compute* = computer, computers, computing, etc.).

3. "And" is used in most databases to ensure that each term is present somewhere in the search results.  It allows more flexibility than searching as a phrase as the words don't necessarily have to be adjacent or in a specific order ("human factors" and "crew communication").

Searching for information on the use of alternative fuels in aircraft.  Looking at the Aviation/Aerospace Database Chooser, we find that one database recommended is Aerospace Database.

4. "Or" is used in most databases between terms to broaden the results, telling the database that either of the search terms can be present in the resulting records (aircraft or airplane).

Aerospace Database

Aerospace Database has a simple Basic Search box to use to type in the search terms: aircraft and "alternative fuels”.  Clicking on the magnifying glass at the end of the search box will execute the search.

Databases

Searching two different databases, each database has distinct differences as well as similarities.

The Research Databases provides a wealth of information--from general to specific topics and sources