What role does reflective contemplation play in qualitative data analysis?

It is important to understand that qualitative data analysis is a process, which is not only recursive, but a reflective process, where the reflection is supposed to get about an action. So, it can be said that the role of reflective contemplation is crucial for qualitative data analysis for various reasons. When analytic attention is needed to be given to the role of researcher in the qualitative analysis, the reflective contemplation becomes a critical tool. Moreover, the reflective contemplation can also help in validating as well as legitimating procedures for the research. Moreover, the reflection is considered to be cognitive process, whose role is so essential in the qualitative data analysis.

1. What are the three core mixed-methods options?

It is important to understand that core mixed method design is critical in collection as well as analyzing the data along with reporting it in qualitative & quantitative research studies. There are three core mixed design methods. The first one is called Sequential explanatory design, which does quantitative data analysis, which is then followed by qualitative data collection & analysis. The second core design is called Sequential exploratory design, which is opposite to the explanatory design, and so qualitative data collection & analysis is later followed by quantitative data collection & analysis. The third design is Concurrent triangulation, in which the use of one phase of data collection is done.

2. Describe how tables can help convey the meaning of data?

The research data results can have so many aspects like they may have numerical data to present the findings of the study. So, when there are numbers involved in the data, their meaning cannot be understood only with the help of text only. A large amount of numerical data cannot be explained in words. This is the situation, where tables are needed to convey the meaning of data. A table can give more clarity to the data, and especially when there is comparison to make between two or more aspects, and then tables would be great to illustrate the comparison, which would be easier to understand, rather putting the comparison in lots of words.

Classmate Response

3-What are narrative and discourse analysis methods?

Narrative methods are records present for both the narrator and the audience. The method of narration is systematic; it has an introduction, body and conclusion. The structure of narration is formal and identifiable. There are several ways for the analysis of narratives which include Russian formalism and structural methods. The method is used to understand Russian literature and to examine other stories, tales and myths. The disclosure analysis deals with written as well as oral communications so that it can be identified that what formal structure a message has. There are 5 main points which allow better understanding of discourse analysis method.

Response:

I agree with the explanation which you have provided for both narrative and disclosure analysis methods. It is true that systematic is the structure associated with narration as it is for both the audience and the narrator. The other great aspect that you have mentioned is its ability of being identifiable and formal in structure. When different stories and literature is needed to be understood, this method can certainly help a lot. On the other hand, you have nicely explained about the disclosure analysis that its job is to handle both oral and written communication with its 5 major points.

4. Describe the three different types of graphs used to display numerical information?

The three different types of graphs used to display numerical information include line graphs, frequency polygons, and pie graphs. Line graphs are used to “how values of a variable change over time” (McNabb, p.451). The line graph is important because it shows the change over time for a certain type of data. Frequency Polygons show data in the same fashion that histograms do. They show “total occurrences for each value of a variable” (McNabb, p. 451). The look of a frequency polygons looks very similar to the look of a line graph, but the data is different that is being represented. Frequency polygons “can also be used to plot and compare two or more sets of scores or values that are based on separate scales” (McNabb, p. 451). The final graph that is used to display numerical information is the pie graph. In this chart the data is displayed in a “360-degree circular “pie” shape” (McNabb, p.451). Each portion of the pie graph roughly represents the same portion of the total that each group of the data represents. Overall each of these graphs show data and represents variables but show them in a different fashion so that data can be viewed in many different representations.

Response:

You have nicely explained the dynamics of each type of graphs in terms of displaying the numerical data. The line graphs use in data, which changes over time is certainly critical, as it displays the information in most appropriate manner. Moreover, your explanation to differentiate between the line graph and frequency polygons is so beneficial to understand, because in overall look, both may seem similar, but in actual, they are different from each other. The other difference of frequency polygons is their ability to demonstrate comparison between two values. The last graph is called pie graph, and it is well explained that each one has its own aspects to demonstrate the data.