Wells Baldwin Module 6 Assignment Submit Qualitative Methods

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Module 6 Assignment: Qualitative Methods Wells Baldwin Embry Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide RSCH 202: Introduction to Research Methods Professor Hardy September 17, 2023
Module 7 Assignment: Data Analysis My research topic is the value of having a college education in the labor market. With my research I would like to see what the difference is in income and the unemployment rate with potential employees with or without a college degree. How relevant is a college education in the labor market? What is the current employment rate for college graduates vs high school graduates in the US? Does having a college education guarantee you a job? How does the income and unemployment of college graduates compare to that of individuals with only a high school diploma? Identifying the variables The independent variable is the cause. Its value is independent of other variables in your study (Bhandari, 2023). It is the variable that will have an effect. The dependent variable is the variable that the independent will affect. So, the dependent variable “depends” on the independent variable. A college education would influence the employment rate and salary of someone. Therefore, the employment rate and salary depend on a college education. The moderating variable affects the strength of the dependent variable. Having an education from a higher tier school would affect the relationship between having a college degree and employment rate. In research that investigates a potential cause- and-effect relationship, a confounding variable is an unmeasured third variable that influences both the supposed cause and the supposed effect (Thomas, 2023). The dependent variables in my study are employment rate and salary of the population because these depend on whether the person has a college degree or not. The independent variable is a college education because this is what determines the outcome of the dependent variables. The confounding variable would be experience in the field and geographical location or the type of job that is being applied for.
Hypothesis A null hypothesis is a theory that claims there is no effect to the population from what you are researching. If the sample provides enough evidence against the claim that there’s no effect in the population, then we can reject the null hypothesis. Otherwise, we fail to reject the null hypothesis (Turney, 2023). The alternate hypothesis is a complement to the null hypothesis (Turney, 2023). This is the statement that I hope to prove true with my research. The hypothesis that we will be tested for the null is that there is no significant difference in the employment rate and salary between applicants that have obtained a college degree and applicants who have not obtained a college degree. My alternative hypothesis is applicants that have obtained a college degree have a higher employment rate and salary compared to those that have not obtained a college degree. Best qualitative methods used to address my research questions. When investigating research questions related to the unemployment rates of college graduates vs. high school graduates, qualitative research methods may not be the primary choice, as this topic typically involves quantitative data and statistical analysis to assess and compare unemployment rates. However, qualitative methods such as focus groups, secondary research, and observations can still be applied to complement the quantitative analysis or to explore underlying factors or experiences related to unemployment among these two groups. Organizing focus groups with college and high school graduates separately can facilitate discussions about the factors they believe contribute to unemployment. Participants can share their opinions, perceptions, and suggestions for addressing unemployment within their respective groups. Analyzing content from online forums or social media platforms can offer insights into the experiences and sentiments of college and high school graduates regarding unemployment. Researchers can identify recurring themes, concerns, and discussions related to job searching, job market trends, and economic challenges. Examining specific cases of college and high school graduates who have faced
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unemployment or achieved success in their job searches can provide a more detailed understanding of individual experiences. This method allows for an in-depth exploration of factors such as education, skills, network, and personal circumstances. Observing the behaviors and interactions of college and high school graduates in job-seeking environments, such as career fairs or job placement agencies, can yield qualitative insights into their strategies, communication skills, and adaptability in the job market. While qualitative methods may not directly address the quantitative comparison of unemployment rates between these two groups, they can provide valuable context, depth, and understanding of the underlying factors contributing to unemployment. With this research I can use a mixed-methods approach to combine quantitative data analysis with qualitative insights to offer a more comprehensive perspective on the research questions.
References Bhandari, P. (2023, June 22). Independent vs. Dependent Variables | Definition & Examples. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/independent-and-dependent-variables/ Thomas, L. (2023). Confounding variables | Definition, examples & controls. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/confounding-variables/ Turney, S. (2023). Null and Alternative hypotheses | Definitions & examples. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/statistics/null-and-alternative-hypotheses/