Evaluating Research Methods

Based on the Research Methods learned these last three weeks, and having reflected on the four scenarios presented, I suggest the following examples of how a researcher might design a study on the subject of peer mediation:

Scenario 1:

Ten students are available for in-depth interviews. Participants will be selected based on their involvement with the peer mediation program. They will be observed over three weeks. Analysis will attempt to determine issues concerning peer mediation.

As ten students will be selected based on their involvement with peer mediation for an in depth study, I suggest a qualitative research method. The research is based on human interaction and is done on a face to face basis. I would say that the research purpose is descriptive explanatory which identifies relationships influencing peer mediation (McMillan & Schumacher, 2006, p. 137).


Scenario 2:

Two classrooms of students are selected. There are 30 students in each class; each group will have similar demographics—age, sex, race, socio-economic background, etc. Classes will be randomly divided into two groups of 15 students. Of these two groups, one randomly selected group will get training on peer mediation and the other group will not. Thus in each classroom there will be one group that is trained in peer mediation and one that is not. Analysis will occur on which groups have the fewest office referrals.

In this analysis I suggest researchers need a explanatory mixed method approach, firstly the researchers determine the age, sex, race, socio-economic background among others continue pursuing a quantitative research and after the selection of a group of 15 for peer mediation, the research will then become a qualitative research based on students with peer to peer mediation for an in depth study.


Scenario 3:


A school counselor is interested in knowing how student attitudes affect the value of peer mediation to decrease the number of office referrals that are being filed for inappropriate interactions.

A school counselor is interested in finding out if student attitudes affect the value of peer mediation to decrease the number of referrals for inappropriate interactions. I think I would use an Action Research Method for this study. This research method is the process of using research principals to provide information that educational professionals use to improve aspects of day-to-day practice. This research is conducted in three four phases, first focusing on the topic of study, then collecting the data, analyzing the data, and finally followed by taking action based on the results (McMillan & Schumacher, 2006, p. 174).

Scenario 4:

The feelings of those involved in the process are little known—either from those doing the mediation or those receiving it. The ZASK-R Acceptance Preference Survey will be given as pre- and post-tests to 40 students participating in mediation. Follow-up interviews will be conducted on a bi-monthly basis.

I would suggest a mixed method; this time I would use an explanatory mixed method research starting with the quantitative data collection (in this case, data from the survey) followed by the qualitative “follow-up interviews on a bi-monthly basis”.. (McMillan & Schumacher, 2006, p. 165).




References

McMillan, J. H., & Schumacher, S. (2008). Research in education: Evidence-based inquiry (Laureate custom edition). Boston: Pearson