SSCI 301- Method and Techniques in Social Science Research
Assignment 3: Research Design
Topic: _________________________________________
Research Question: _______________________________
Sampling Design
The population for this research will comprise of parents with young children aged between 6-12 years. Given the gender roles that take the center stage in many families, this research anticipates to interact with many women than men because of their role in their child’s upbringing. However, this study will not pursue stereotypes because of their impact on the outcomes of the research. By creating a balance between men and women, the study will explore the impact of various approaches used to shape the perspectives of children towards life (Boström, 2004). Likewise, the roles of each parent will be outlined by engaging the children to determine the nature of relationship with their parents. By so doing, the study will succeed in its attempts to create an enabling environment for interactions that reflects events and outcomes that occur in the world today. To increase the authenticity of the study, the sample population will range between 50 and 100 parents.
Qualitative Studies (semi-structured interviews, field research)
In this research, I intend to collect data from 100 middle-aged parents with young children aged between six and twelve. To accomplish this objective, I will rely on the effectiveness of a probability sampling method that will enable me to collect data from random participants. By using the simple random sampling technique, the information collected will eliminate any possibility of a bias because of my familiarity with the sample population (Dunlap & McCright, 2008). In my neighborhood, there are many households, plenty of which are made up of young parents. Using the simple random sampling technique will help me narrow down on 50 young parents, who will help identify the impact of parenting and its influence on children’s perspectives towards life.
Method Description and Justification
In this study, using a qualitative research design has a significant impact on the outcomes of the research because of its ability to identify the parenting factors that influence child behavior. By relating the questions with recommendations provided by existing research studies, it is possible for the study to identify the significance of parenting skills on the perspectives of individuals and how they shape people’s lives (Flesher, 2010). Based on the outcomes of individuals in the world today, there is a need to identify the measures that can be exploited by parents to improve their children’s behavior. Given the fact that every parent wishes to improve their relationship with children, the findings of this study will play a significant role in identifying the factors that influence a child’s behavior.
Conceptualization
Parenting skills will be an independent variable and will be matched against child behavior as the dependent variable. The study anticipates to identify the best approaches that can be used by parents to shape their children’s behavior to overcome challenges that interfere with their perspectives (Goodwin & Jasper, 2014). Based on the ability of parents to inspire good behavior in their children, this study will explore a unique approach of measuring the level of effectiveness witnessed in the parenting skills.
Data Collection Instrument:
Only for qualitative studies (semi-structured interviews)
1.1 How are your classes structured?
1.1.1 Lectures, discussions, debates, etc.?
1.1.2 How do you prepare for your classes?
2.1 What is required for the classes?
2.12 Assignments, readings, note-taking, etc.?
2.3 What are the challenges of the classes?
Procedures
In responding to the research questions, semi structured interview strategies were developed with a list of open-ended questions that would enable the participants to contribute towards the findings of the study. Immediately after the questions were developed, the process of reaching out to the sample population was initiated. The scholar identified parents in the neighborhood and briefed them about the objectives of the research and sought their consent. Young parents were mostly preferred in this assignment because of their direct contact with children undergoing rapid growth and development (Horton, 2003). As such, their responses would be vital in aiding the research study to discover its desired objectives. If the parents expressed their willingness to be part of the process, the researcher would share contact details with them and how they will be engaged in the physical interview.
Before conducting the study, the researcher briefed the participants about the objectives of the study and how their feedback would be used in the research process. Consent was sought and urged those who had a change of mind to communicate to avoid any scenario that would lead to biasness (McCright & Dunlap, 2015). Those who agreed with the researcher’s approach were then required to sign a consent form that indicated their willingness to be part of the study process. During the interview process, the researcher used a tape recorded to record audio while engaging the participants. By maintaining a conversational approach, the researcher eliminated any fear that would hinder the participants from giving accurate information. After completing the interview, the scholar thanked the participants for their contribution, where the recorded information was later transcribed to word document.
Ethical Considerations
When interacting with different individuals, researchers should consider any aspects that might interfere with their perspectives towards the entire study. Importantly, privacy and confidentiality are crucial aspects that must be guaranteed because of their role in influencing the perspectives of the participants towards the study (Saunders, 2008). Ethical research practices require scholars to collect signatures appended on a consent form to demonstrate the participants’ willingness to contribute towards a study.
References
Boström, M. (2004). Cognitive practices and collective identities within a heterogeneous social movement: the Swedish environmental movement. Social movement studies, 3(1), 73-88.
Dunlap, R. E., & McCright, A. M. (2008). Social movement identity: Validating a measure of identification with the environmental movement. Social Science Quarterly, 89(5), 1045-1065.
Flesher Fominaya, C. (2010). Collective identity in social movements: Central concepts and debates. Sociology Compass, 4(6), 393-404.
Goodwin, J., & Jasper, J. M. (Eds.). (2014). The social movements reader: Cases and concepts. John Wiley & Sons.
Horton, D. (2003). Green distinctions: the performance of identity among environmental activists. The Sociological Review, 51(2_suppl), 63-77.
McCright, A. M., & Dunlap, R. E. (2015). Comparing two measures of social movement identity: The environmental movement as an example. Social Science Quarterly, 96(2), 400-416.
Saunders, C. (2008). Double‐edged swords? Collective identity and solidarity in the environment movement 1. The British journal of sociology, 59(2), 227-253.
