Author Question: The quantitative researcher collects many pieces of quantitative data as words, not numbers. Prior ... (Read 146 times)

jasdeep_brar · **on:** Jul 8, 2018

The quantitative researcher collects many pieces of quantitative data as words, not numbers. Prior to statistical analysis, all of the data pieces must be coded. What does this mean?

a. The data are transformed into numerals corresponding to words, such as 0no college degree, 1bachelor's degree, 2master's degree, 3PhD or EdD.
b. The essence of each word is noted; later, these essences emerge as themes.
c. The data are typed into a computer, and the computer is instructed to transform the words into binary values, using only 0 and 1, by adding up the numbers of each letter in the alphabet.
d. The data regarding protected data are transformed to code names; a list is made and kept in a secure location.

Question 2

What is the general rule about collecting demographic data during an interview?

a. The mood of the qualitative interview, so crucial to quality data capture, may be intruded upon by demographic data collection.
b. In quantitative interviews, everything excerpted from medical records must again be verified in face interviews.
c. In qualitative interviews, routinely asking twenty or thirty demographic questions sets the stage for actual data collection.
d. If data can be obtained in other ways, leave the valuable interview time for actual interviewing.

tjayeee · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 8, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Coding is the process of transforming language data into numerical symbols that can be entered easily into the computer. For example, variables such as race, gender, ethnicity, and diagnoses can be categorized and given numerical labels. For gender, the male category could be identified by a 1 and the female category by a 2. The coding categories developed for the research must be both mutually exclusive and mutually exhaustive so, with respect to the latter, inclusion of 3decline to state and 4none of the above might be useful.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The researcher should consider the importance of each piece of datum and the subject's time required to collect it. If the data can be obtained from patient records or any other written sources, the researcher does not need to ask the subject to provide this information. To collect data from a patient's records, the researcher must make sure to include the intent to do so in the consent form and ensure that the institutional review board has authorized the team to do this. The qualitative researcher has the power to shape the interview agenda. Participants have the power to choose the level of responses they will provide. The researcher might begin the interview by asking a broad question such as Describe for me your experience with... or Tell me about.... Ideally, the participant will respond as though she or he is telling a story. The researcher responds nonverbally with a nod or eye contact to convey interest in what is being said, and tries to avoid agreeing or disagreeing with what the participant is saying. The less the researcher says, the better.