Data collection is an integral part of any research process as it is a way of gathering and measuring information to support hypotheses. One can use various data collection methods depending on the variables as well as the purpose of the research. There are two major categories of data collection methods, which are qualitative and quantitative. Quantitative data collection methods focus on testing hypotheses through structured data collection tools and random sampling (Paradis et al., 2016). On the other hand, qualitative data collection allows the researcher to understand the processes behind perceptions and observed results. Quantitative data collection methods include clinical trials, observation, and surveys in the form of interviews and surveys. Interviews are one of the common data collection methods, which involve the asking of a set of standard questions. This method would work for a capstone project considering that it captures demographic data that could be used to substantiate research hypotheses. Uniform and standardized questions help a researcher to reach out to a wide range of population with varied characteristics and viewpoints.
Capstone research could benefit from the use of questionnaires, which are considered effective since they save time and money in addition to encouraging truthful responses. The researcher does not have to be present, which not only allows anonymity but also the possibility of getting information on controversial issues. One has the option of using qualitative data collection methods, which include focus group discussions, surveys, document analysis, and observation. Interviews are an effective method of collecting data where participants get an opportunity to express their opinions views, experiences, and beliefs on specific issues (Townsend et al., 2016). More so, one could use focus groups to stimulate discussions to understand ideas and knowledge that develop and operate in a group. An individual could also use observational methods such as ethnography to study the participants’ actions and accounts and in this way authenticate research findings.
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Data collection is associated with various ethical risks as it is about getting information that will be published to support hypotheses. The researcher should seek informed consent from the participants before engaging in both qualitative and quantitative research. A failure to seek informed consent may discredit the research findings since it will be an intrusion into the participants’ confidentiality and privacy. The research process needs to be transparent, with the researcher required to inform the participants regarding the purpose of the study and the need for truthful responses.
Assumptions and Limitations
The research process allows the researcher to explore phenomena with the aim of either affirming or refuting hypotheses. It is important to note that the research process is quite unpredictable, meaning that a researcher must anticipate outcomes that are out of control. Assumptions and limitations are research concepts that highlight the issues that would impact the research process negatively since they represent potential weaknesses. Townsend et al. (2016) establish that assumptions are those things that are out of the researcher’s control making the research problem relevant. There are various types of assumptions in research, and they include topical, methodological, and theoretical assumptions. Theoretical assumptions relate to a particular theory that provides the framework for the research hypotheses. On the other hand, methodological assumptions relate to data collection methods and they vary depending on the sampling strategies.
Topical assumptions are intuitive and accepted ideas regarding a topic and which have not been explicitly tested in the research. Topical assumptions are specific to the topic or the content that the researcher hopes to explore. Moreover, topical assumptions could be viewed as inherent beliefs that a researcher holds about a topic in as much as they have not been tested. These assumptions are seen as the realistic expectations that could become validated or not depending on the topic under research (Paradis et al., 2016). Limitations, just like assumptions, are aspects beyond the researcher's control that relate to the research methodology or the specific research problem under study. Limitations could include lack of reliable or available data, the inapplicability of research findings, lack of prior studies, or inappropriate research design.
A researcher needs to be aware of the limitations and assumptions that could impact negatively the research findings and deal with them beforehand. Topical assumptions that have to do with the content or topic under study need extra attention since they may discredit the applicability of research. A topical assumption that could guide research on social problems plaguing a community could focus on the scope of the study and the hypotheses. An example of a topical assumption could be “the society will have a large proportion of the elderly population thus the need to increase the healthcare capacity to cater to the community’s needs. A researcher would also need to have a limitation to the study to enhance the applicability and generalizability of the research findings. A typical research limitation would be “denial of access to the research participants” something that would reduce the sample size. A researcher may not address this limitation as one could use alternative data collection methods.
Social Change in Your Community in Future
Communities are experiencing rapid changes owing to social, economic, and technological advancements. Some of these social changes are positive while others are negative depending on how they affect the society in question. Technological advancement seems to have the most significant social effects in modern communities and the changes will be greater in the future. Currently, societies are more connected digitally than before something that has removed the need for physical contact. The COVID-19 pandemic that is ravaging the entire globe has become a major factor for reducing physical contact owing to healthcare experts' and governments’ guidelines. Individuals and families are reverting to communication technologies to stay in touch. Romero-Ruiz et al. (2017) note that in as much as digital technologies appear to be filling the communication gap, they are getting rid of physical interactions. It is possible that in the future people will limit physical gatherings and celebrations that are inherent to many societies.
The thought of an end to physical contact owing to technologies that make it possible to have virtual meetings and gatherings is a negative trend. Physical interactions promote social well-being since they are associated with closeness and proximity. In five years, family get-togethers and public gatherings may lose their significance and in this way impair interpersonal relationships. The COVID-19 pandemic has managed to instill fear in people who are expected to respect social distancing rules (Vos, 2020). These restrictions are slowly contributing to the severing of social ties that have been existence since the founding of human communities.
The severing of communal ties due to social distancing guidelines has become a social problem that needs immediate redress. One way of addressing this issue is by encouraging people to venture out as long as they have protective gear. The other way of ensuring that communities remain cohesive is coming up with communal projects that involve all the members. These projects increase communal interactions and in this way enhance cohesion. The other strategy for ensuring that social cohesion remains is by the resumption of flights so that individuals can visit their families and friends. No one knows how long the pandemic will last or how it will affect social relations. If governments allow social interactions, then the society will go back to where it was before COVID-19 struck and in this way increase physical contact as opposed to virtual contact.
Technology 102
Phone applications have gained significance over the last few years since they simplify operations translating to efficiency and reduction in costs. Companies and agencies are contracting software developers to create phone applications that incorporate their operations and services. The incorporation means that clients need can get services at the comfort of their homes or offices. Appel et al. (2020) establish that the total number of social media users could reach 3.29 billion in 2022 which translates to about 42 % of the global population. These individuals may tend to search for services or products that would meet their needs. These statistics indicate business potential as more people are expected to own internet-enabled mobile devices.
The agency I work in, just like most other agencies, has embraced mobile technologies as a significant addition to the organizational procedures and operations. Twitter is one of the mobile apps that are central to the agency’s operation as both a communications and marketing tool. The agency understands that most of its clients are on Twitter, which means that if the clients follow the agency, there will be timely communication. Voorveld (2019) assets that Twitter is very interactive as clients can place queries and complaints and get timely feedback. The other mobile that features in this agency is Gmail, which is used for communicating with employees, government officials, as well as suppliers. The best thing about this application is the fact that it allows for both personalized and group communication in addition to being a formal communication strategy.
These two applications have contributed to effective and timely communication between the agency, its employees, clients, and other stakeholders. In the future, the agency needs to incorporate other mobile applications to increase connectivity and customer service. The company could use Google Photos, an application that helps in the organization and sharing of photos. The app would be a great addition, as it would capture the agency's products, events, and services and in this way act as a reference point. Moreover, the company should integrate the use of the Salesforce Mobile App. The best thing about this app is that it would transform how support agents resolve cases and sale reps answer emails
References
Appel, G., Grewal, L., Hadi, R., Stephen, A. T. (2020). The future of social media in marketing. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science , 48 , 79–95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-019-00695-1
Paradis, E., O'Brien, B., Nimmon, L., Bandiera, G., & Martimianakis, M. A. (2016). Design: Selection of data collection methods. Journal of Graduate Medical Education , 8 (2), 263–264. https://doi.org/10.4300/JGME-D-16-00098.1
Romero-Ruiz, K., Echeverri-Sánchez, L., Peña-Plata, J., Vásquez-Giraldo, S., Aguilera-Cardona, M., Herazo-Avendaño, C., Valencia-Arias, A. & Bran-Piedrahita. L. (2017). Information and communication technologies impact on family relationship. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 237, 30 – 37. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2017.02.007
Townsend, K., Loudoun, R., & Lewin, D. (2016). Handbook of qualitative research methods on human resource management innovative techniques. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Voorveld, H. A. M. (2019) Brand communication in social media: A research agenda. Journal of Advertising , 48 (1), 14-26. doi: 10.1080/00913367.2019.1588808
Vos, J. D. (2020). The effect of COVID-19 and subsequent social distancing on travel behavior. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives , 5( 100121),1-3.3https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2020.100121
