Tuesday, June 19, 2012

A mixed bag of statistical tools


Social science researchers use a variety of techniques for statistical analysis. These are basically used to nullify the weaknesses of any one technique of analysis. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques can be combined for the best result in the social science research. However, since there are a larger number of options available in terms of tests that can be applied and modules to be created, the researcher must be careful in making his decision and hire thesis statistics help.

The pragmatic approach to research says that various tools can be used in the same research work. These enable us to use the research techniques which suit the current problem at hand. There are other schools of thought, like positivism and post-positivism, those provide a researcher with options, separately or together. These choices depend on the nature of the phenomenon that is being investigated, the issue that the research is addressing and the data that needs to be collected.The combination of tools arises from the simple fact that even the most subjective topics can be measured in terms of figures, and the objective viewpoints can also be given a subjective outlook, with a new perspective. Experts who provide DissertationStatistics Help are well aware of both qualitative and quantitative methods and can provide the correct guidance for maintaining the right balance between the uses of various forms of techniques.

Techniques of data collection can also be mixed. Interviews and ethnographic observations are often undertaken together. Similarly, a census can also be done along with an open-ended questionnaire to get the required details. Whatever be techniques used, they must be stated with clarity and an introduction must be included in the relevant section of the research. ThesisProofreading ensures that there is enough clarity in the presentation and the reader does not get confused among the different types of tools used.

Concept maps as tools for theory development


Concept mapping is used popularly as a tool to develop and clarify theory, since the task is a challenging one for scholars doing qualitative research.The tool was originally formed by Joseph Novak, to understand the learning methods of science, and later on as a tool to teach science. This tool is similar to the idea of conceptual framework. Dissertation Help Service can be taken to further understand the concept.

The concept map of a theory is a visual display of that theory, in other words, a picture of what the theory says in happening with the phenomenon that is being studied.These maps are not a specific part of the research design, or depict the study. Rather the concept map can be used to create a research design. A concept map consists of two elements: some variables and the relation between them. In a concept map, the elements are represented as boxes or circles, and the relation between them are reflected through straight lines drawn in the map. UK Dissertation Writing Help can be taken to make a perfect concept map.

There are mainly two reasons for creating a concept map. One is to implicitly show the meaning of the theory being used by the researcher, or clarify an existing theory that relates to the research phenomenon.The implications, its relevance and limitations of the theory can be known through the concept map. Another application of the concept maps is to develop a theory. When a theory is broken up into the various elements that it contains and these variables are interconnected, the weaknesses and gaps in the theory are revealed. It also gives an opportunity to develop the theory, in the best way that is suitable to the research. Both these purposes are solved through dissertation help, from which a researcher can benefit.