Question 1

Scientific explanations

Over time,questions normally arise on issues touching on human life.People always come up with various schools of thought to explain these phenomena.The explanations during ancient times were based on religious and cultural believes.Those who never subscribed to any faith,the atheist,based their explanations on common sense.However, with the development of knowledge,science was born as a new mode of thinking and investigation.The principles of science spell that before any conclusion can be made on a matter,there has to be thorough investigations where data is collected empirically.This data collected is then used to draw accurate conclusions.This latest way of explaining phenomena is deemed more superior to any other mode of explanation.

Astrology is an old fieldof science that was first practiced by the ancient scholars.The findings of this field were from previous researches done over long periods of time.The weakness of belief-based explanations is that these believes do not rely on any research done or any substantiated facts or procedures. The conclusions given under such basis are very subjective as a result. Cultural or religious believes also vary from a group of people to another. However, facts about nature are constant regardless of the place they occur. Therefore, it would be completely out of reality scope to base any explanation about nature on religious or cultural believes.

The other scope of reasoning or giving explanations is based on common sense. This mode of thinking is practiced by those who do not believe in any religious principles. Common sense however does not put into consideration the need to conduct research first before drawing conclusions. The reasoning here is limited to the thinking of the decision maker (Kellert,Stephen,2006). Therefore it has the obvious weakness of lacking a duly researched backing like in the case of a scientific method. The supremacy of the scientific method of explanation over the common sense method is from the fact that the former is based on tested findings while the latter is based on assumptions that the decision maker deems right. The fact that human thinking is insufficient renders this method of justifying phenomena not viable.

Question 2

Psychodynamic theory

This is a theory that has been formulated to explain the alcoholism condition. According to this theory, people are likely to be affected by their previous encounters in life during their present lives. The occurrences go deep into their subconscious part of their mind and will resurface in the future. In order to have a proper recovery treatment of an alcoholic, this theory has to be incorporated in the treatment plan.

Psychodynamic theory is a mechanistic theory as opposed to being a functional theory. This is because it explains the way something happens. It explains the way previous addictions in a human being’s life tend to affect the current life trends of the victims. The life threatening conditions such as alcoholism and drug abuse often find themselves sneaking into the abusers’ lives and if not properly tamed, it can make them go back into their previous conditions. This explains why addiction normally happens.

The above theory can also be classified as qualitative as opposed to being quantitative. This is due to the fact that it does not incorporate the use of any data neither does it entail any collection of data. The information which the theory uses to explain itself is based on qualitative knowledge (Borden,William,2009). Qualitative research has the benefit that it does not require much struggle going round collecting data. The other benefit of using qualitative method as opposed to quantitative is that it explains far much beyond what any other method could.

Psychodynamic theory can also be described as a descriptive theory. This is because it uses previous research reports to describe a condition .Description is normally the best way a theory can put forth its fundamental principles since the evidence provided will serve to convince the reader. The three dimensions of classifications of this theory from the way it has been done above serve to inform better research procedures. Psychodynamic theory is a good theory because it brings into focus the connection between interrelated ideas. The ideas here are connected together in a bid to show the continuity of concepts.

Question 3

Developing quality research

Research questions inform the basis on which research is conducted.The researcher in his or her quest to unearth the underlying hidden truths will formulate questions that are likely to provoke wits into pursuing the leads to the hidden answers.Therefore the research questions have to be well formulated and tailored to fit the kind of problems that the researcher wants to address.

In our research,for instance,the question of the research is to do with the effects of information technology on the financial market sector.The question is a direct pointer on what the researcher expects to know concerning the financial market sector (Vyhmeister,Nancy,2008).In this question,we expect to see the researcher bothering himself or herself with the parameters that determine the extent of growth in the financial sector since before the advent of information technology and currently in the era of information technology.The researcher will also wish to know the scale of growth of the information technology sector over time and the consequent impact of this on the level growth in the financial sector.

This question is not directly answerable but needs to be viewed from a multi-dimensional view.It is an empirically based question since it requires collection of data first before any conclusion can be reached.Although the question does not use any operational definitions to define variables,it asks something important.The importance of this question from the fact that the interest of the researcher is bordering on a weighty issue in the modern economy-the financial sector.This research question can best be modified to meet the above expected criteria by incorporating the operational definitions into the question.A hypothesis is a wise guess that the researcher comes up with.The aim of coming up with a hypothesis is to help in arriving at a conclusion at the end of the research.A hypothesis differs from a research question in that it a hypothesis is meant to address a particular objective while a research question is general and addresses the whole agenda of the researcher.

 

Question 4

Research question:Are outpatient rehab programs more effective treatment to addiction than seclusion in rehabs?

Research hypothesis:Outpatient rehab treatment programs are better than rehab seclusion treatment.

Addiction is a dangerous human habit which if not properly tamed and handled can lead to disastrous results at latter stages.The good bit of it is that it happens gradually and not suddenly.This therefore gives time to the patient to seek medical attention.There are several ways of treating the problem.Some patients seek medical treatment and recovery from rehabilitation centers or from other medical facilities.However, rehabilitation centers are more effective because of the fact that they offer a chance for follow up treatment.

Rehabilitation treatments vary in terms of duration of stay.Some addicts get treatment while fully accommodated at the rehabilitation centers while others seek treatment from these facilities but are not confined into these centers (Jean,Martins,2013)This research question seeks to investigate which of the two options mentioned above is better in terms of effectiveness.The research endeavor is a mix of both qualitative and quantitative undertakings.The quantitative part of it is that data shall be collected and used to make conclusions empirically. This is a more realistic and accurate method of making conclusions.The qualitative aspect of this question will be in assessment of the progress in the health status of the patients after undergoing treatment at the rehabs.However,this question is more quantitative than qualitative.

Given the fact that this research question is more qualitative than quantitative,the type of measures used will be behavioral.The researcher will be involved in the assessment of the quality of life of the patients before and after treatment.This assessment will be more of looking at the intangible aspects of human life.Therefore,the use of a questionnaire will be mainly to collect the numbers of the patients while the real variables of interest will be abstract issues.A qualitative question can be made quantitative by varying the variable items and vice versa.I prefer qualitative research over quantitative because of the fact that qualitative research is more flexible and allows the researcher to navigate any dimension of study since all the variables are formulated from the mind.

 

Question 5

Scale of measurement

Any research aims at drawing conclusions that will aid in decision making and policy formulation-which is the objective of any research endeavor.In order to come to a conclusion,some measurements have to be used so that the conclusions have sufficient and reliable justifications.This therefore necessitates the existence of variables. This c can be factual/discrete or abstract.The difference between these two types of variables is in their mode of measurement.There are different types of measurements which are;nominal, ordinal,interval and ratio.The type of measurement to be used will depend on the nature of the variable being measured.

Nominal scale allows for a qualitative ranking of items.It is suitable for measurement of intangible and abstract variables.Ordinal scale on the other hand allows for ranking of items in termsof hierarchy but does not allow the introduction of the degree of difference between them (John,Gillard,2010).Therefore you cannot come up with the degree at which the item ranked first differs from the one ranked second or any other.Interval scale allows the provision of the degree of difference between variables but do not allow the ratio calculations to be done.Ratio scale,as the name suggests allow the calculation of ratios between items.

The variables that accompany this research question include;the number of times the patient abuses the bad substances before and after the rehabilitation exercise,the improvement in the social life of the patient after treatment and the status of the patient’s wellbeing after rehabilitation as compared to the status before.All these are variables that require the use of qualitative means to measure them. Ordinal and nominal measures are therefore best used since the element of ranking is vital. However the use of interval and ratio scales is not much viable since we shall not be dealing with solid data here but simply use abstract data. The use of the two types of measures can best be made useful by ensuring that objectivity is upheld during the whole process.

Question 6

Population and sampling method

During the process of collecting data,the researcher has to consider the population fromwhich to undertake the study.The population refers to the sum total of all items to be considered during the process of research.However,due to time and costs issues,it might not be practically possible to study each and every item in the population.Consequently,researchers will end up picking a section of the population that will be used to represent the whole.This size picked should be small enough to enable the researcher to meet the time and costs constraints easily.This size should also be large enough to accommodate all the necessary features of the desired population.This small but representative section of the population is what is called a sample and the whole process of obtaining it is called sampling.

There are different methods of sampling.These are the systematic sampling,simple random sampling,purposive sampling, and systematic sampling among others.Each of these is suitable for a unique type of population (Ryan,Paul,2011).In our case,we are dealing with the patients in rehabilitation centers and those who are outside but who frequently visit the rehab centers for treatment.In this research,I will prefer using systematic sampling more than any other method of sampling available.The reason why systematic sampling is more suitable is because the kind of population we are dealing with is so much scattered and has to be searched.Therefore,the researcher has to systematically come up with ways of visiting the patients where they can be found and actually talking to each one of them in a customized and specific manner.This therefore rules out the application of any other method courtesy of the peculiarity of the population.This systematic sampling method will be applied with a small mix of simple random sampling.This happens when the researcher has to obtain a smaller group of an already selected population.Simple random sampling is normally suitable here since it gives every item has an equal and fair chance of being selected

During the process of conducting this research,just like in any other research,there are ethical issues that will have to be put into consideration so that the process goes on smoothly.The ethical issues will cover the areas such as the legal treatment of the patients who in this case will be pour subject of investigation, the adherence to the laws governing international research best practicesand any other issue that will include the involvement of other third parties such as the commitment from the researcher not to disclose the identities of the patients or to use the data for any other purpose outside the mandated scope.The potentiality of the research causing harm to the patients is real since some patients will not be pleased to open up and narrate their ugly ordeal of addiction life.

 

Question 7

Non experimental methods

The data used in research are normally the product of a study conducted. This study can be an experiment or some other   methods.  Experiments are procedures performed under controlled environments.  The case of collecting data by random sampling qualifies to be an experiment by virtue of the fact that the researcher has had a hand in the population of interest. However, some researchers opt to obtain data on some issues which are affecting their research but will not wish to interfere with their present state (Andresen et al,2011). This method is called the non-experimental method of data collection.It is a special method    since it makes it possible to conduct research at affordable wages.

In this research,we shall use naturalistic observation to collect data for use in the research. This method is preferred because it enables the researcher to observe the most features of the patients without necessarily having to engage much in questioni8ng them.The fact that observation can be done without the patient’s knowledge means that the true nature of the status of the target patients will be observed perfectly (Everest,Gupta,2010).This method of collecting data is more flexible as opposed to any other since it enables the more than one trait or rather element of study to be obtained from the same person.

The most interesting thing about naturalistic observation is that it is nearly cost-free and that also it gives first hand information.However,the disadvantage with this method is that it does not put to consideration the fact that it is possible for the target person being observed may realize the researcher’s motive and consequently behave abnormally.Eventually,the researcher will fail to obtain the intended information.Also,the researcher is likely to form an opinion about the patient before commencing the research.This will make him other be subjective and end up collecting biased data.

Question 8

Correlation and survey research

 

Non experimental research makes use of correlation or either survey research in its endeavors or both.Correlation research is where the researcher focuses on drawing parallels between or among the various variables in the scope of study with the aim of drawing relevant lessons for policy making.Correlation is an aspect of statistics and is normally useful when drawing conclusions that regard more than two variables.The whole element of research is never complete without the researcher making analysis of variables to see their applicability and suitability in the overall target objective of the research

Survey research on the other hand involves the process of undertaking an isolated and purposeful study that targets particular items of interest and just like correlational study aims at coming up with given results (Kevin,Allen,2009).A survey can be done by using a questionnaire or peer group study.Surveys also involve the use of interviews.Survey research is normally very involving and requires skilled manpower to conduct it.

Since non-experimental research relies on mainly the use of the work of the researchers’ creativity in designing the mode of data collection,the two methods are very crucial in helping the researchers develop the necessary hunch feeling necessary for conducting a successful research.For instance,co relational research helps the researcher to make use of the data collected more effectively than before.Survey research on the other hand helps the researcher to conduct a wide research based on the requirements of his or her study.

It is possible to use correlation method for a real experiment.Thisis because correlational method is there to assist in the analysis of data.During experiments,data is collected in form of results.How this is done is that the researcher will depend on the outcome of proper analysis of the variables collected. Therefore the correlation analysis needs to be tailored to fit the appropriate motive of the research.

 

Question 9

Between subjects design

The design of the research procedure shall be conducted through the use of comparing the analysis of various subjects within the scope of the study.During research process,many subjects come into the light.In order for the researcher to make any meaningful and comprehensive conclusions,he or she has to ensure that he has put every bit and dimension of the study into focus.Looking at this research question,the subject being investigated has got more than one face (Andressen et al,2011). There is the element of trying to study the patients alongside their living conditions either at the rehab centers and outside,the researcher also has to involve himself in the study of the work effort of the attending staff of the rehab,statistics has to be collected for the numbers of the patients who have been rehabilitated so far,the related officers and departments of the rehab centers have to be consulted at all times among other secondary procedures.This makes it a necessity for the researcher to fully engage a diverse approach to this study in order to succeed.

The type of between-subject design to be used will depend on the number of subjects that the research is likely to tackle.Looking at this research,there are more than two research subjects under study. Therefore, a multi-subject design will be appropriate.How this will be done will call for the researcher’s creativity and industry as well as experience in extensive research.The researcher has to draw a schedule of events and procedures that he/she will likely face. There is also the need to come up with a multiple-faceted data collection as well as analysis formula.The use of technology-especially computer softwares will come in handy when designing and analyzing this research in order to come up with up-to-date conclusions.In case the multi-subject design fails to work in this research,it can be made to work by tailor-making a procedure that fits the research.For instance,in case the researcher faces the problem of harmonizing the conclusions drawn (which is likely) the researcher can minimize the number of these research fields.

Question 10

Within-subject design

Apart from the between-subject design process,we also have the within-subject design.This involves subjecting into each and every item into a specific study.The subject under study can be scrutinized through different levels investigation in order to have a comprehensive study.Consequently,there are two types of within-subject design (Columbus,Alexandra,2011). There is the single factor two-level design and the single factor-multilevel design.

Single-factor two-level design is where the study is passed through two stages of study.The same item is studied twice with a view of drawing a level of understanding on a twin dimension approach.In this research,the researcher will undertake a two level study on the progress of rehabilitation in the rehab centers.The first level will be to investigate the entry behavior of the patients and the second one will be to assess the exit behavior and compare the two.

Single-factor multi-level design will involve passing the subject of study through multiple stages of scrutiny-more than two levels.Some multi-level studies can be as many as nine or even ten.This kind of study is suitable for studying complex subjects that need a lot of analysis.The researcher is obliged to scrutinize each and every subject thoroughly with a sharp analyst’s eye.Normally,ambiguous subjects are the ones that attract more scrutiny and hence are suitable to be subjected through multi-level studies.

This research will best be performed by subjecting it to multi-level study.Each subject is scrutinized severally since each one of them cannot be confined to one dimension of study.Within-subjects design has the advantage of being precise and comprehensive.It helps then researcher to clear any cloud of ambiguity and doubt that might result from the study.However,the method also has tangible disadvantages.The disadvantage here is that subjecting one subject-in this case patient-through a series of repetitive exercise is likely to make him or her tired and bored.This way,no more meaningful studies can be made once the concentration level of the patient is exceeded. Nevertheless, this is a good method of doing research since it is comprehensive and stabilized since averaging is done. This method can as well be converted to a single-subject study is the ambiguous research variables are eliminated.

Question 11

Basic Pre Test/Post Test Experimental Design

The research process needs to undergo monitoring process in order for the researcher to appreciate the progress he or she is making in the process if any. Pretest, as the name suggests, is a test that is done before the experiment is done in a research.In this case,the experiment is the treatment in the rehab centers.Pretest design will therefore involve assessing the patients’ status of health.The researcher will be looking for the traits that the patients exhibit in their lives when they are still under addiction (Dimtrova,Birgitta,2011).We expect to obtain information on the socialization habits of the patients as well as their indulgences.The researcher is mostly going to be interested in the level of addiction that the patient has reached.After this test has been performed,the patient is then going to be let to pass through the rehabilitation stage.

Post-Test experimental design will entail taking stock of the patient’s life process after the treatment has been done.The researcher’s motive here is to try and come up with a summary of the developments that have occurred since the patient was subjected to the treatment.This stage is therefore a progress review of some sorts.It will be a pointer to the quality and kind of treatment that the rehab offers.Those who undertook their treatment while not confined in the rehab will be compared to their counterparts in the rehab.This will give a clue on which treatment option is better.

The Pre-Test/Post-Test method can as well be viewed as split-plot design.The view comes to fore because of the fact that the tests are not done concurrently.One can only be done at a time.Pre-Test is done first before the Post-Test is done.The splitting here is not by choice but the only way out.Solomon-Four Group design is a study strategy used to address the problem that normally arises when the previous studies affect the consequent ones.It is possible that the patients might predict the next test especially is several are performed on them,a condition known as priming.It is also possible for learning to occur.This is where the patient gets skilled on how to answer questions-which happens after being subjected to several tests.This simple test described above can be modified to use the Solomon-Four group design by ensuring that the tests performed are few and distinct such that no possibility of the patient developing the lead to approaching the tests is ensured. This design needs to be implemented since is learning and priming occurs, the research process will be rendered futile.

 

Question 12

Aging or changes over time-Models of Human Development

Human life is subject to timelines. Growth is a mandatory procedure that humans undergo.As growth takes place,permanent changes occur in the life of the individual.The people experience changes in both their physical and physiological characters.These developmental changes can be studied by first designing a good research procedure.The research is well done through proper administration of the best practices that govern research.

This research can best be done by coming up with a developmental design that covers fully the stages and the developments.First,we will have to come up with a procedure that involves captures the very essence of the life at the formative stages of a human being.The research procedure will first seek to assess the physical,psychological and behavioral parameters of life.The research will also need to cover the traits of a human being as they grow (Hollanda,Barbara,2012).Later,the researcher has to conduct a test on the variations in these changes.Given the fact that the research has to be completed in a short time possible,the researcher will be forced to use many different individuals of different ages since it is not practically possible to study using one person.This will mean that the people used will be assumed to be representing one person who is aging gradually.

Developmental designs pose a lot of challenges to the researcher in that there is a likelihood that wrong results will emanate from the fact that individuals do not age in one similar way.Therefore assuming the aging pattern among individuals-which is the only possible route here is misleading.Therefore the findings are likely to be misleading.Generational cohorts are the groupings of individuals into certain age groups.This is normally used in order to make conclusive generalizations about age.However,this method has its problems.The major problem stems from the fact that the method fails to acknowledge the fact that individuals are distinctively different and therefore very hard to group them into homogenous groups. This is surely going to be a big issue in the research since the aging pattern is going to require generalizations based on age cohorts.

Question 13

Single-subject methods

Single –subjectdesign methods are another option in research design.This method is unique in the sense that the subject of discussion is going to receive maximum attention and due consideration.The researcher is going to mainly focus on the topic of interest alone.The major uniqueness of this method over other design methods is in the fact that the researcher is not obliged to consider affiliate subjects during the research.Given that this happens,there is a high likelihood that some important facts might be lost though.

There is a common problem behavior in research in research that researchers are normally faced with.This has to do with the challenge of harmonizing several findings to come up with a comprehensive and meaningful conclusion.The researcher is thus normally misled by the number of these findings (May,Tim,2011).A common problem behavior is the inability of a person to draw meaningful parallels between the research findings and the research objectives. This happens when the research question is somehow ambiguous and lacking in coherence.Therefore,the researcher ends up making wrong conclusions which are transferred to the management who end up making wrong policies. This challenge can be well addressed by using a single-subject design.In order to ensure that nothing is lost or uncovered,the researcher has to look for a good subject of study-that will allow for a wide scope items to be researched upon.Dynamic approach is appropriate for this single-subject approach since it enables the researcher to keep track of the occurrences in the field of study.

 

Question 14

Research procedure involves a series of stages.These stages include the abstract,introduction,methods,results and conclusions.Each of these stages has its own specific importance.However,different people give more preference to some sections for various reasons.My main focus among these sections is the introduction section.The introduction carries a lot of importance since it carries every bit of what the research is all about.The research is going to be described fro its objectives,methodology,relevance and its use within the conclusion.Therefore,somebody can read the conclusion and after that be well versed with the whole research. Therefore in the introduction section,there will be more content covered.However,the content is in summary form and no detail is given apart from minimal but unavoidable statistics.

Most practioners will prefer to read the abstract and the methodology.The abstract gives them a clue of what the researcher is intending to cover.Therefore the abstract has to be written in the most precise manner and to contain all the necessary areas to be covered.More emphasis will be on the methodology (Weingarten, Stella P.,2009).From the methodology,the reader will be in a position to assess the seriousness and the professional level of the researcher.The methodology also gives a pointer to the quality of the research findings-going by the level of sophistication and validity.

However most scholars focus on different sections altogether.The scholars do not jus read sections but they are interested in all the stages.Their aim is to follow the sequence of the research.Academicians aim to build on the intellectual capacity and therefore will go to the whole length of obtaining concepts from every section.File drawer phenomenon affects the research since any findings that do not meet statistical significance will fail to be published.This gap from unpublished data will always be an issue as far as the validity and usefulness of the research is concerned.

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