Survey Research Methods

Survey research methods are most commonly used for public opinions, measurement of political perceptions and to understand personal perceptions, interest (Fowler, 2013). According to Groves et al (2009) ‘Survey’ is a systematic method of gathering information from a sample for the purpose of ‘constructing quantitative descriptors’ of the attributes of the larger population.

Survey research methods is popular research method, yet not free from limitations. Malhotra & Grover (1998) report that, survey methodology is used very often in productions and operations management (POM) but are not very effective when poorly designed and executed. Their study also reports that ‘multi item constructs and strict checks for content validity’ are observed to be the best ways to improve survey methodology effectiveness.

One major controversy in survey research is related to the modern day and is based on the concept of collecting data via email, electronic media. Interesting angle to this controversy is that this method of data collection in survey research has some major advantages also. Three major errors that can error when using email for survey purposes are inerviewer’s bias, low response rate and lack of sensitivity ( Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 2008). This can be a major limitation when studying groups that may not have access to the internet or have an email computer. This would include groups for example from lower Socio Economic Status (SES), homeless or people living in shelters. Coomber (1997) highlights that when target groups like ‘illicit drug dealers’ are to be studied, use of internet could be useful but more a hindrance. Sampling issues are also part of controversy about using emails and internet for survey research (Wright, 2005). This can include factors like same person with more than one email addresses, higher costs for surveys (some internet sites require memberships etc.). High instances of hacking, identity theft are also some of the limitations for use of internet or email to collect data.

Though I discussed the limitations of using internet for survey research, my position on this controversy is that the advantages of these methods are stronger. We are living in an era where children young people are technology natives and overruling use of technology for survey research purposes would be illogical. I highlighted issues above, but I would also like to mention that in recent past many antidotes have also been developed for issues like hacking and identity theft.

References

Coomber, R. (1997). Using the Internet for survey research.

Fowler, F. J. (2013). Survey research methods (Vol. 1). Sage.

Frankfort-Nachmias, C., & Nachmias, D. (2008). Research methods in the social sciences (7th ed.). New York: Worth.

Groves, R. M., Fowler, F. J. Jr., Couper, M. P., Lepkowski, J. M., Singer, E. & Tourangeau, R. (2009). Survey methodology (2^nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Malhotra, M. K., & Grover, V. (1998). An assessment of survey research in POM: from constructs to theory. Journal of operations management, 16(4), 407-425.

Wright, K. B. (2005). Researching Internet‐based populations: Advantages and disadvantages of online survey research, online questionnaire authoring software packages, and web survey services. Journal of Computer‐Mediated Communication, 10(3), 00-00.

Stress coping parents of ASD children

Stress management technique: The population is parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the technique is practicing yoga two to three times a week. This is a two in one technique which helps the parents as well as the Autistic child. Practicing Yoga helps with the Autistic behavior of the child especially with anxiety which is a big source of negative behavior, and this in turn helps with the stress parents of Autistic children experience. Yoga as a stress coping technique also includes practice of meditation and muscle relaxation. Radhakrishna (2010) did a study to explore integrated approach to yoga therapy (IAYT) as treatment to increase imitative skills in children with ASD. The study was conducted over a 10 month period and the results showed improvement in children’s imitation skills like pointing to facial, body parts and parents also reported improved free play time at home.

This technique includes practicing Yoga and meditation at least two to three times a week. The parents would conduct the exercise two day a week with their children and the children could practice on their own maybe at school or at a group class. A measure to evaluate the effectiveness of this stress management technique would be a log book or fill in sheet with yes/no to questions. The questions would range from what change in behavior is observed in the child with ASD and explore the feelings of the parents after the exercise. Questions about feelings of the parent would include those that are directed at their stress level, maybe feeling less anxious or stressed after the practice. The evaluation form would include a small box or section to report any other difference the parents feel that are not mentioned in the list of questions. A form would accompany the stack of question list that is filled out only once when the parents start recording. This form includes a brief history of ASD diagnosis, child’s current age and schooling details as well as other sibling information. This is crucial in our evaluation since we are looking at stress faced by the parents as a result of the challenges they face with their other children as well who don’t suffer from ASD.

The most important benefit of providing multiple stress management technique to stress sufferers is having a choice in case one technique fails. This is subject to the fact that every person handles stress differently, reacts in a different manner and may need individualized coping techniques that depend on the kind, time and intensity of the stress (learning resources, Smith, 2011). Manuck et al (1991) studied individual differences in cellular immune response to stress. Their study found that individuals differ significantly in their ‘immunological response to behavioral stimuli’ and such differences are also seen in response to stress.

There can be barriers to effective stress management. One barrier which can come up considering our stress management technique could be financial restraints. Yoga and meditation is an activity that can require some supervision and training initially. This can be done by a trained person and in form of individual training or as a group. Usually Yoga experts require some fee or charge a price for training individual or to allow them to participate in a group class. If the insurance carrier doesn’t cover this kind of expense related to the special condition of the ASD suffering child and his parents, then expense to use Yoga as a therapy would be completely covered by the parents. This can be a barrier in using this as a stress coping technique. Baspure et al (2012) looked at possible barriers to using Yoga as therapy for schizophrenic patients in India. Their study concluded that despite overcoming the barrier of cost effectiveness of the therapy technique, getting daily training under specialized supervision was still a barrier in many parts of the country. The therapy would be effective if practiced at least for one month, and to have specialized training for that long was a challenge.

There can be cultural or religious barriers as well. Yoga stems from Hindu and Buddhism practices, which can be unappealing in some cultures or religions for reasons of bias, personal views and social taboos. This kind of barrier can be relevant in other coping techniques as well.

References

Baspure, S., Jagannathan, A., Kumar, S., Varambally, S., Thirthalli, J., Venkatasubramanain, G. Gangadhar, B. N. (2012). Barriers to yoga therapy as an add-on treatment for schizophrenia in India. International journal of yoga, 5(1), 70.

  

Manuck, S. B., Cohen, S., Rabin, B. S., Muldoon, M. F., & Bachen, E. A. (1991). Individual differences in cellular immune response to stress. Psychological science, 2(2), 111-115.

Radhakrishna, S. (2010). Application of integrated yoga therapy to increase imitation skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. International journal of yoga, 3(1), 26.

Smith, M., & Segal, R. (2011, December). Stress management: How to reduce, prevent and cope with stress. Retrieved from http://helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm

The Human Visual System

Description how the visual system works

The human visual system is a process that begins with the retina, receptor cells and includes two kinds of photoreceptors called cones and rods, the optic nerve (Breedlove and Watson, 2013). The retina is in the back of the eye and contains several cells in separate layers. The retina is the ‘receptive surface’ that allows the light to enter and contains photoreceptors. There are two kinds of photoreceptors called rods and cones that perform their own distinct function. They release neurotransmitter molecules, (Breedlove & Watson, 2013) which control the bipolar cells that synapse with the rods and cones. Bipolar cells connect to ganglion cells and their axons then form the optic nerve. The optic nerve carries information to the cerebral cortex in the brain, and this, results in visual perception.

How context can affect the visual perception

 Todorovic (2006) used a very clear example of visual field and visual target to how context affects the visual perception. According to him visual field is all that is around the eye or what the eyes can see; however, there are some objects that catch the visual attention, and this is due to the context in which those objects are perceived. His study explained this context of visual perception on geometrical basis as well.

Two potential benefits of context affecting visual perception

One major benefit of context is ‘recognition’ and to focus of what seems familiar to the eye in the complex settings the visual system is viewing (Chun, 2000). Visual memories are based on putting what you see in the present in the context when you saw the same person, event or thing in the past.

The reflex action is a spontaneous response of the body to any stimuli, possibly with danger (American Psychological Association, APA). Reflex action as a result of visual perception is possible if the is perceived in its context. An example is that if a knife lying on the counter seems harmless with no reflex stimulated, but the same knife if held by an attacker will get a different reflex.

Two potential costs of context affecting visual perception

A cost of context affecting visual perception would be the opposite of the benefit mentioned above i.e. the recognizing factor. If there is no recognition then memory of what is perceived by the eye is lost and a good example of patients suffering from amnesia. They are able to visually perceive and their visual system is normally functioning, however, what is missing is the context of what they have already seen in the past.

Another cost would be misunderstanding or ove looking what the reality is of what the eye is looking at. If there is a huge crowd and a person is looking for a single person, then context can keep him distracted from that one person who is looking for.

Chun, M. M. (2000). Contextual cueing of visual attention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 4(5), 170-178.

Todorović, D. (2006). Geometrical basis of perception of gaze direction. Vision research, 46(21), 3549-3562.

Hypotheses and Theory

‘Theory is a great aid to clarity’ writes DeVellis (2012) when explaining the importance of keeping scale development on track.  A theory may take form of an argument, a discussion or an explanation of an observable fact that takes place in the world (Creswell, 2009). Quantitative research is often aimed at testing theories as an explanation to their questions (Creswell, 2009). Theory in a research study can occupy a whole section in a research proposal and in a dissertation may use multi theoretical outline (Research continuum-learning resources).

‘Hypotheses are drive by theory’ (learning resources) and Creswell (2009) writes that in fact theory is an ‘interrelated set’ of variables that forms into proposals and hypotheses. This then identifies the relationship of the variables. It can be rightly said that there can’t be a hypotheses without a theory and a theory is without a purpose if there is no hypotheses. A hypotheses is ‘testable’ or not: this fact depends upon a valid theory and set definitions (learning resources). Sutton (1995) reports that ‘theory’ can be meaningless if its deterrents like hypotheses are not applied to it. Theory is a strong component of a research study and can be made comprehensive by reading, collecting data from past research about the topic of interest. 

It is crucial to understand that in the relation between theory and hypotheses, a theory must be a ‘testable theory’ (Doc sharing). A testable theory is the one that has concepts pulled from a hypotheses and can be expressed in statistical analysis. According to Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias (2008) there is no one definition of a theory and theories can be classified according to their scope. This is significant in research conducted by social scientists, where they are in agreement that theory is the ‘ultimate goal’ of scientific activities but differing views about meaning of theory.

My area of interest is relevant to the globalization in recent times and to the ideas of cross culture in almost every society. To make the discussion a bit updated, let me share some facts I read about the FIFA soccer world. According to Kresting (2007) the FIFA world cup in 2010 showed major changes from 2006 in forms of xenophobia reduction which was suspected in Germany in 2006. The study concludes that major sports events like the FIFA cup promote tolerance and a wider level of multiculturalism, solidarity. This year in 2014 almost every team playing the in the FIFA cup has players who are either immigrants or originally from a different nation. This shows that not only in the USA, but world over the cross culture concepts are evolving.

My research study aims at understand the effects of being raised in a cross culture, by parents who are immigrants or of religion, ethnicity that is a minority on children. The study will collect data through survey research on the level of success among first generation children of immigrants. We would then compare the data collected to the levels of success of the peers (college age or adults) who originate from a family, culture native to their nation.

References

Creswell, W.J. (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

DeVellis, R. F. (2012). Scale Development. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Frankfort-Nachmias, C., & Nachmias, D. (2008). Research methods in the social sciences (7th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.

Kersting, N. (2007). Sport and national identity: A Comparison of the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups™. Politikon, 34(3), 277-293.

Laureate Education (2012). The Research Continuum (Walden University, PSYC 6202).

Sutton, R. I., & Staw, B. M. (1995). What theory is not. Administrative science quarterly, 371-384.