Midterm Assignment

Question
Concepts, ideas, opinions, feelings, and other intangible entities are often labeled as “insubstantial phenomena.” Select one of the following 3 phenomena that would be considered insubstantial, and explain two different ways — one qualitative and one quantitative — that you might measure it: a) the closeness of undergraduates’ social network friends; b) the “campus climate” at your university; c) “irrational exuberance” about the stock market.

Answer
Insubstantial phenomena are often measured by concepts, ideas, opinions, feelings, and other intangible entities. Based on the three phenomena that would be considered insubstantial, I chose to measure the “campus climate” at my university. Qualitative research is a form of research that the data that is collected is not in the form of numbers (McLeod, 2017). The purpose of qualitative research is to get a better understanding of social reality. Qualitative research is used to find the understanding and explanation of the “how” and “why” of behavioral traits as it does in a specific context (McLeod, 2017). Whereas, quantitative research is the opposite of qualitative. Qualitative research is a form of research that collects data in a numerical which is usually collected and put into categories, in rank order, or units of measurement (McLeod, 2017).
Qualitative can be used in many ways to measure the campus climate. For example, the campus could use interviews and focus groups. Using interviews and focus groups will allow me to gain information from each student’s personal experience on campus. Also, shad light on some good things and bad things on the campus. Quantitative also can be used in many different ways to measure the climate level on the campus. For example, since quantitative is about collecting data based on numbers, the best way to measure the climate level on campus is to create and send out a survey throughout campus. The survey could cover areas such as the cafeteria appears and food, safety on campus, parking, dorms room, social clubs, sports, and several other categories that are important to the campus climate. Conducting an in-depth survey will help me know what areas on campus needs fix and/or enhanced.

Question 2

Graduate professors like to insist that the completion of thesis or dissertation research is not merely an “academic exercise” or final hurdle to obtaining the desired degree. Explain at least two personal benefits that the individual derives from completing a high- quality thesis or dissertation. Then explain at least two societal benefits that follow from the individual’s completion of a high-quality thesis or dissertation.

Answer
There are several personal benefits for an individual to complete a high-quality thesis or dissertation. One personal benefit in completing a high-quality thesis or dissertation, feeling like you accomplished something major. Completing a thesis or dissertation is an achievement in itself. Anyone can start a thesis or dissertation but it takes the right person with the right amount of discipline to complete them. Anyone can start but not everyone finishes. Another personal benefit incomplete a thesis or dissertation is developing better communication skills through writing. Improving written communication skills can benefit anyone in any career field. Effective communication can be beneficial in many different aspects. Completing a high-quality thesis or dissertation can have many social benefits as well. For example, a societal benefit is inspiring other students to start and complete their own dissertation or thesis. “A completed dissertation can be a valuable resource for other students, describing experimental set-ups in more detail than journal articles ever do, offering an important review of relevant literature, flagging dead-ends, and approaches that didn’t work as well as had been hoped, and serving as a model of what a successful dissertation looks like” (Stemwedel, 2009). A final societal benefit is getting a great job. Dissertations and thesis going on the resume can help in getting a dream job as well as giving you the ability to stay out in society. Stemwedel. (2009, July 21). Twelve Reasons to Finish Writing Your Dissertation. Retrieved from Science Blogs: https://scienceblogs.com/ethicsandscience/2009/07/21/twelve-reasons-to-finish-writi