Do the researchers clearly discuss the implications of the findings and how they relate to theories, other findings, and actual practice?

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Final Project, Part I: Evaluate a Qualitative Study

For Part I of your Final Project, you will comprehensively evaluate an article of your choice that reports on a qualitative study. (Remember, a study that uses qualitative methods utilizes data that is not numerical.) Locate an article in the professional literature that addresses a topic you are interested in. Use the Area of Interest interactive (Links to an external site.) to assist you with this process. The article you select should describe a qualitative study and should have all or most of the expected sections, either with their own headings or embedded in the article, including: Introduction, Literature Review, Methods, Results, and Discussion.

In writing your evaluation of the article, you will use the information in Section 3.3 in your text. Do not simply tell what is in the article, but evaluate it using the questions in your text. Explain and justify your evaluation based on specific examples from the article.

Your paper should be 2100-2800 words (not counting the title, abstract and reference pages) and comprehensively evaluate an article of a qualitative study. Use proper APA formatting and good writing and organization in your evaluation paper.

In addition to your 2100-2800 word paper, upload a .pdf copy of the article to the Waypoint dropbox.

The following questions may help you in evaluating your articles, though you do not have to follow this format exactly. Be sure not to format your review as a Q/A list of responses. Rather construct a cohesive narrative focused on key themes in the literature.

  1. Evaluate the Introduction and Literature Review.
    • Do the researchers present an adequate rationale for conducting the study? Explain.
    • What is the significance of the study?  What difference will it make to the field?
    • Is the literature review thorough and comprehensive?
    • Do the researchers demonstrate any potential biases in the literature review?
    • Are all important concepts clearly defined by the researchers?
    • Do the researchers clearly describe previous methods that are relevant to understanding the purpose for conducting this study?
  2. Evaluate the Purpose Statement.
    • Does the article clearly state the purpose statement?
    • What is the purpose statement as expressed in the article?
    • Is the purpose statement clearly based on the argument developed in the literature review?
  3. Evaluate the Methods Section.
    • Is a particular qualitative research design used (ethnography, case study, etc.)?  If so, what is it?
    • Is the research design consistent with the purpose presented in the introduction?
    • Did the researcher introduce any bias in the procedures used?
    • What type of sampling method is used?  Is that appropriate?
    • Are relevant demographic characteristics of the sample clearly identified?
    • Do the methods of sample selection used by the researchers provide a good representative sample, based on the population?
    • Are there any apparent biases in selection of the sample?
    • Is the sample size large enough for the study proposed?
    • What data collection method was used in the study (such as direct observation, interviews, survey)?
    • Is there an adequate description of the interview protocol or other instruments used?
    • What biases or limitations might there be in the data collection method?
  4. Evaluate the Results Section.
    • How were the qualitative data analyzed?
    • Is the analysis method clearly described?
    • In describing the results, are concrete examples of the data clearly linked to identified themes, concepts, and/or theories?  Are these examples adequate?
  5. Evaluate the Discussion Section.
    • Do the researchers clearly restate the purpose and research questions?
    • Do the researchers clearly discuss the implications of the findings and how they relate to theories, other findings, and actual practice?
    • Do the researchers identify potential limitations of the study and the results?
    • Do the researchers identify possible directions for future research?
  6. Remaining Questions.
    • What aspects of qualitative methods do you still find challenging?
    • Was there any information in the above list that you were not able to find in the article you chose?

Describe the societal situation and the problem that the doctoral candidate will address by conducting the project. Information to be included is relevant  historical and statistical information.

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This is an ongoing Research Assignment: Please use the attachments to complete assignments:

Assignment 24:

 

Following  the Prospectus description in the Doctoral Project Manual, use the  criteria and information from previous activities to draft your  Prospectus. Use your Research Question(s) as your focus for the  discussion. Complete a Prospectus,  providing sufficient information about your topic of interest,  providing information on how the students plans to do the research, and  explaining the value of this work. The document is 4-7 pages.
The  Prospectus will contain the following parts:  Introduction, Background  of the Problem, Statement of the Problem, and Purpose of the Study (with  Research Questions).
Introduction  (no heading): The introduction puts the study in perspective for the  reader. The introduction also acquaints the reader with the topic and  the methodology used to study the problem. Introduce key areas of the  study which support the aim of the study. Finish with the aim of the  study.
Background of the Problem:  Articulates why the topic is being studied. Why is the problem of  pressing societal concern or theoretical interest? Describe the societal situation and the problem that the doctoral candidate will address by conducting the project. Information to be included is relevant  historical and statistical information. Establish the disparities,  discrepancies, issues, or challenges relevant to the key areas of your  study. The background of the problem illustrates why the topic is  appropriate, worthwhile, and feasible.
Statement of the Problem:  The statement of the problem situates the key areas of the study in the  existing literature. Above you would have detailed major issues or  concerns, here using the current literature establish the focus of your  study. Establish a benchmark or the parameters of the study using what  is known and unknown from the literature. This discussion will mirror  your Chapter 2. Purpose of the Study: Articulate the  purpose (how you are going to approach the research problem) and state  the research questions. The questions for research should be  comprehensive and reflect the major areas of the study and relevant to  the selected phenomenon.  Follow with the Theory you will use to guide the inquiry.
Submit paper of your discussion using points of emphasis above. 4 to 7 pages.
On Separate Document: Assignment 26

 

Assignment 26

 

Following  the Chapters 1-5 descriptions in the Doctoral Project Manual, use the  Methods criteria and information from previous activities and the text  books to align with the Doctoral Project Manual.  Present by the Chapter  in the Doctoral Project Manual, using an outline for each chapter apply  methods in each chapter as applicable. Provide in depth details for  Chapter 3.
Submit paper of your discussion using points of emphasis above. 3 to 4 pages.

References:

Book
American Psychological Association    (2010).   Publication manual of the American Psychological Association .   (6th Edition).   Washington, D.C.
Book
Creswell, J. W.    (2013).   Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches.   Sage.     9781452226101

Write clearly and concisely about topics related to forensic psychology using proper writing mechanics and technical style conventions.

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According to media reports, police officer Darren Wilson shot and killed 18 year old Michael Brown on August 9, 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. The disputed circumstances of the shooting of an unarmed man, the resultant protests, and the civil unrest due to racial undertones of the case have received considerable attention in the United States and abroad. In this case study, you will explore how police psychology impacts the future outcome of this case and the likelihood of criminal charges being brought against the officer.
Review the following articles regarding the Michael Brown case:
“Timeline: Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, Mo.”, located at http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/08/14/michael-brown-ferguson-missouri-timeline/14051827/
“Michael Brown shooting: Legal questions loom”, located at http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/26/us/michael-brown-shooting-legal-questions/
Write a three to five (3-5) page paper in which you:
Determine whether or not after the resolution of this event, the officer in question will need an additional psychological assessment to ensure that his future conduct, if he returns to active duty, is befitting of an officer. Provide a rationale for your response.
Explain the fundamental distinction between deductive analytic techniques and inductive analytic techniques. Analyze if the officer in question made his decision to act based on deductive analytic techniques or inductive analytic techniques. Provide a rationale for your response.
Argue for or against the theory that a well prepared officer should possess the following characteristics – agreeableness, empathy, listening comprehension, and sociability – in order to perform well as a law enforcement officer. Next, determine if any of these characteristics were present when Officer Wilson encountered Michael Brown. Provide a rationale to support your response.
Given the circumstances surrounding this event, consider the following options the officer in question may have had in this case:
Wait for back up before engaging the suspect
Engage the suspect without a weapon
Follow the suspect without engaging him
Resolve to allow the suspect to proceed to his destination
Select the option that you believe would have best served the purpose of protecting the officer, the suspect, and the general public in this case. Provide a rationale for your response.
Use at least three (3) quality academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar type Websites do not qualify as academic resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
Demonstrate basic knowledge of the different elements and aspects of forensic psychology.
Brief and debate historic cases associated with mental health and forensic psychology.
Use technology and information resources to research issues related to forensic psychology.
Write clearly and concisely about topics related to forensic psychology using proper writing mechanics and technical style conventions.

Develop a cost benefit analysis and a utility analysis for a personnel selection process for the three job types presented in the media (manufacturing, sales, executive).

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Given the volume of jobs that need to be filled, the difficulty in filling specific positions, and the potential impact of making poor hiring decisions, companies should strategically plan how to recruit and select employees. Such planning will ensure the amount of effort is cost effective and achieves the desired results. Consequently, many organizations today engage in such planning by conducting cost-benefit and utility analyses to ensure the requisite amount of effort is dedicated to obtain the desired results (Boudreau, 1990; Bodreau & Ramstad, 2002). In the long term, these analyses may save organizations time, money, and effort. On the other hand, it is also important to consider the potential impact of poor hiring practices not only on the company, but also on the unsuccessful applicant or the new hire that does not work out.

For this Assignment, review this week’s media and the personnel selection processes that you developed for your Week 3 Assignment. Consider the cost benefit and utility of the personnel selection process for each job type.

Develop a cost benefit analysis and a utility analysis for a personnel selection process for the three job types presented in the media (manufacturing, sales, executive).

Your Assignment should specifically detail the following:

  • The resources required (e.g., cost, personnel, time, etc.) for each job type
  • The benefits and drawbacks of each component of the personnel selection process (e.g., application, interview, testing, etc.)
  • The impacts of the applicant pool, the number of openings, and the projected volume of applicants for each job type
  • Justifications for the personnel selection process to be used for each job type