In reference to this assignment (Galvan, Activity #5), I was able to get a view as to how to read over a study and really answer key questions for guidance on my future work.  I was a little thrown at how this study utilized measurements of both qualitative and quantitative, but the assignment helped to distinguish between the two and notice how both can be applied during a study.  A lot of the terms became a bit clearer with this given assignment.  Therefore, I found it to be helpful and a guide as to which measurement I may want to select for my research problem.

1.      What characteristic of the report you located led you to believe that it is an example of quantitative research? 

·         The information presented deals with numbers and amounts, which are indicative of quantitative measurements.

2.      Is the study experimental or nonexperimental? On what basis did you decide?

·         The study in nonexperimental because the participants did not have to take or do anything that would change who they are or what they know.

3.      If the study is experimental, were the participants assigned at random to treatment conditions?  If not how were they assigned?

·         N/A

4.      If the study was nonexperimental, was the researcher attempting to examine cause-and-effect issues?  If yes, did he or she use the casual-comparative method? Explain.

·         Yes, the researcher attempted to determine cause and effect as it related to if students felt safe or unsafe while on campus and if so which areas did they feel least safe and why. 

·         No, the casual-comparative method was not used because the purpose of the interviews was to provide a more in depth view of the quantitative data (in other words this study actually utilized both quantitative and qualitative measurements) and provide information, not necessarily related to a specific cause.  For example, the questions asked for responses that agreed or did not agree, without necessarily having an assumptive cause for the selection.

5.      What types of measures (i.e., instruments) were used? Did the researcher provide enough information about them to allow you to make judgements on their adequacy for use in the research? If yes, do you believe they were adequate in light of the information provided?  If no, what types of additional information about the measures should have been reported?

·         The study used surveys and short responses.

·         Yes, I think there was enough information provided to make judgments towards the adequacy of the instruments used.

6.      How did the researcher obtain a sample of participants? Was it at random from a population? If the study is a mailed survey, what was the response rate?

·         A sample of students was selected at random and given to students in classes to take home and complete and turn in the following day. It was not mailed but the rate of participation was around 70%.

7.      Has the researcher described the demographics of the participants in sufficient detail? Explain.

·         Yes, the researcher mentioned the sex and class level students were enrolled in college (by year – freshman, senior, etcetera).

8.      If the researcher reported statistically significant differences, did he or she discuss whether they were large differences? In your opinion, are the differences large enough to be of practical importance? Explain.

·         Yes, because the researcher had a purpose of capturing all level students with a fair amount of distribution, however the researcher said it was hard to interact with the upper level students because their professors were not open to let the surveys be distributed within their classroom.

9.      Did the researcher critique his or her own research by describing its limitations? Explain.

·         Yes, the researcher mentioned the participation level was not as equal between men and women, and that it may have had to do with men may feel safer than women.

10.  Briefly describe any major flaws in the research that you did not cover in your answers to Question 1 through 9.       

·         In terms of the safety on campus, I would like to know where the geographical location of the school was and if the crime around the area surrounding the school would have made much of a difference.