Qualitative and quantitative methods
Mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) often lead to better understanding since collecting and analyzing both types of data can help to overcome inherent weaknesses in the methods. If you choose a mixed method, you will need to explain/justify why this approach is best.
In your paper, you must describe your method in a way that allows for it to be replicated. You must also address how the method (or methods) you used align with your project goal.
Mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) often lead to better understanding since collecting and analyzing both types of data can help to overcome inherent weaknesses in the methods. If you choose a mixed method, you will need to explain/justify why this approach is best.
In your paper, you must describe your method in a way that allows for it to be replicated. You must also address how the method (or methods) you used align with your project goal.
Resources to learn about methods
Resources to help understand methods are found in a variety of places; below are a just a few. If you find another resource you find helpful, please share with the group.
Resources to help understand methods are found in a variety of places; below are a just a few. If you find another resource you find helpful, please share with the group.
- Content analysis - https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/content-analysis/
- Different Research Methods: Strengths and Weaknesses- https://www.learningscientists.org/blog/2018/3/8-1
- Different Research Methods- https://explorable.com/different-research-methods
- Overviews on university LibGuides: Virginia Tech Research Methods Guide, University of Newcastle Guide
- Experimental research - https://explorable.com/experimental-research
- Videos available in Classroom Video on Demand database (displayed below). Transcripts are available as well.
**There are more resources about methods in the folder in Schoology. **
DATA RESOURCES
DATA RESOURCES
Sample Size Calculator (to help determine # of people to survey)
https://www.calculator.net/sample-size-calculator.html - 95% confidence interval and 5% margin of error means you can be 95% sure your results are within 5% either way (of the actual).
Statistics tutorial - https://explorable.com/statistics-tutorial
Note: Existing data must be used in a new way or to gain a new understanding.
Quantitative database websites with online analysis built in to the platform
Gapminder - statistics about social, economic and environmental development at local, national and global levels
Google Trends - analyzes the popularity of top search queries in Google Search
Kaggle- huge repository of community published data and code
European Social Survey- measures the attitudes, beliefs and behavior patterns of diverse populations in more than thirty nations
GESIS - Data Archive for the Social Sciences
World Values Survey - global network of social scientists studying changing values and their impact on social and political life
General Social Survey (GSS) - what Americans think and feel about issues
Sources for aggregate public opinion data
Pew Research Center- nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends (U.S and worldwide)
Roper iPoll - public opinion research (U.S and worldwide)
Gallup Poll - reactions to the events that have changed our world
PollingReport - an independent, nonpartisan resource on trends in American public opinion
Open Source Government and International Organization Data
Data.gov - U.S government's open data (over 250,000 datasets)
Census.gov - statistics for all states and counties
Data.worldbank.org - free and open access to global development data
Data.un.org - international statistical databases
Free tool to conduct your own analyses
GNU PSPP - program for statistical analysis of sampled data
https://www.calculator.net/sample-size-calculator.html - 95% confidence interval and 5% margin of error means you can be 95% sure your results are within 5% either way (of the actual).
Statistics tutorial - https://explorable.com/statistics-tutorial
Note: Existing data must be used in a new way or to gain a new understanding.
Quantitative database websites with online analysis built in to the platform
Gapminder - statistics about social, economic and environmental development at local, national and global levels
Google Trends - analyzes the popularity of top search queries in Google Search
Kaggle- huge repository of community published data and code
European Social Survey- measures the attitudes, beliefs and behavior patterns of diverse populations in more than thirty nations
GESIS - Data Archive for the Social Sciences
World Values Survey - global network of social scientists studying changing values and their impact on social and political life
General Social Survey (GSS) - what Americans think and feel about issues
Sources for aggregate public opinion data
Pew Research Center- nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends (U.S and worldwide)
Roper iPoll - public opinion research (U.S and worldwide)
Gallup Poll - reactions to the events that have changed our world
PollingReport - an independent, nonpartisan resource on trends in American public opinion
Open Source Government and International Organization Data
Data.gov - U.S government's open data (over 250,000 datasets)
Census.gov - statistics for all states and counties
Data.worldbank.org - free and open access to global development data
Data.un.org - international statistical databases
Free tool to conduct your own analyses
GNU PSPP - program for statistical analysis of sampled data