Post 1:

Qualitative research is a mix of three interconnected concepts- ontology, epistemology and methodology (Denzin and Lincoln, 2005). The qualitative researchers approach the world with a set of ideas (ontology) focusing on a set of questions (epistemology) and then examine (methodology) the question in a certain way. The methodology is the only activity that faces criticism (Sarma. 2015)

Per Sarma, (2015), in qualitative research anything goes and has a non-scientific method. The Oxford English Dictionary defines scientific method or procedure, having “a systematic observation, measurement and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses”. In other words, it should have a system that measures similarities, and test predictions. The qualitative system does not have a way to measure variables, test hypothesis, and exactness. Therefore, qualitative research is considered story telling.

• What are the key characteristics of qualitative evaluation methods?

a.The design – must be an uncontrollable situation that you are seeking to find answers to. It is something that has taken place before now, and is still considered to be a problem. You must ask yourself what are you looking for in the research? How will your findings help the community, organization, people, etc.? Will there be any challenges, and if so, how will it affect the outcome?

b.The collection – must be done with an open mind. You can’t be judgmental, because it can alter or you can misinterpret your findings. There are multiple ways of looking collecting data (interviewing people, reviewing case studies, and analyzing what has already been done). One disadvantage you could have is the person being interviewed may not tell you everything. That is why it is important to make them comfortable

c.The analysis – treats each case study individually, gives you a complete look at what is happenings, and contains all its components. It has multiple ways of researching your data. After the review the data that is has been collected previously, it allows you to see if there are any similarities. This will help in any reconstruction of the program.

• What are the benefits of including qualitative data in the evaluation process? Qualitative data gives you a different understanding of what is being researched. Since the qualitative data cannot be measured numerically, it allows you to look at it holistically. It tells you what is currently happening. The way you collect, view, and your perspective from your findings can be done using multiple methods.
• Do you believe that an evaluator can deliver and complete a valid evaluation of a program or an agency without including qualitative data? Yes

Why or why not? Because quantitative data can provide information needed to improve or design a program. Although, it asks different questions, and identify the needs by numerical findings, it still ends up with the same outcome as qualitative data.

References:

Sarma, S. K. (2015). Qualitative research: Examining the misconceptions. South Asian Journal of Management, 22(3), 176-191. Retrieved from https://login.libproxy.edmc.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.edmc.edu/docview/1732041530?accountid=34899

Post 2:

Qualitative Methods Mariel Rodriguez 1/21/2017 11:15:41 PM

Qualitative Methods What are the key characteristics of qualitative evaluation methods? Qualitative evaluation method is not measured in amount or frequency. Qualitative measures the nature of reality, by designing, collecting data and analyzing the research problem. Qualitative approaches focus on how and why something works, to build understanding. In the positivist model, study objects (eg, learners) are independent of the researchers, and knowledge or facts are determined through direct observations (National Institute of Health, 2011).

Real or Fake?

In the past, young artists would study with a master artist to learn from him. They would copy his art in an attempt to gain his skill and wisdom and he was right there guiding them. Art historians are often able to identify these copies, but not always. As a result, there’s sometimes the risk that a collector will purchase an art piece attributed to a master when it was, in fact, his student’s work.

With the exorbitant prices art fetches, there are those who make a living creating art forgeries. They hone their technique, use old materials to make their work seem authentic, artificially age their piece and create a fake paper trail so that their ruse is believable.

People get very offended when they pay a lot of money for an art forgery. Naturally that has something to do with being tricked, which is often the name of the game. But, we allow muscicians to play the same works as great composers and don’t think less of them for doing so. Society allows actors to recreate roles made famous by the greats from the past and we often celebrate their accomplishments.

Why does it matter so much when someone copies an artist’s work? What is the worth of a good forgery? If experts can’t tell the difference between a da Vinci and a fake, why should we care? What is the true value of the original art piece? Is it because we want to touch or see the art piece that a great artist created? Is there something near magical about being close to an art piece shaped by a great artist? Is it about experiencing the magic? Is it all about the prestigue of owning a work from a great master or is there more to it?

I encourage you to research this on the internet before you post your reply What did you discover? What do the experts say? How do you feel about these issues?

Module Name; -URBAN TOURISM: ASSIGNMENT

Research Report (4000 words) (university degree);Times new roman font size 12 single spacing

The Case study is Cambridge UK: The research topic within the overarching themes of urban tourism and tourism in tourist-historic cities will depend on your aims and objectives.

STRUCTURE TO FOLLOW;

• Introduction to urban tourism: Introduce background, aim & objectives (purpose of study), key facts& figures of the Cambridge and brief outline of whole report.
• Literature Review: Define urban tourism, supply & demand, current date, city type i.e. historic city, specific research focus (relate literature to your chosen topic).
• Methodology: The Approach used and how it was used, focus mainly on:
• Findings: presents and summarises the key findings of your research, presentation between quantitative and qualitative research findings.
• Discussions: critically reflect on your results linking them to the academic literature/existing research on tourism.
• Conclusions:coherent conclusion to the chosen focus; provide some final recommendations based on the issues raised in the findings and discussion section (OR provide recommendations for further research).
• References: Harvard style referencing throughout assignment and keep complete and accurate bibliography. (academic sources -journals, books, articles etc. some web reference – proper intext citations.

What? (chosen research approach and method),

Why? (justification for choices, link to nature of research objectives) &

How? (fieldwork and design of research instrument).

Please Note:

• Description and Evaluation: Whilst you should describe any graphs/ tables – or interview/ field note extracts which you have presented, you must also take time to discuss and evaluate these findings.
• Present Results Thematically: Often students take a sequential approach to presenting data by describing each question one by one or separating quantitative and qualitative results. Instead try to discuss your results thematically and use different questions/ types of data to explore this theme.
• Link Findings to Theory: Where possible try to relate your results to the ideas, cases and theories that you have discussed in the literature review.

What I have started already as follows:-As already approved by professor

Note: Please continue off from what I have started as required and approved by professor and follow the structure to follow and do the literature review and rest of assignment in the exact Order from structure to follow since literature review was left out and should be included}

Topic: Cambridge UK- An exploration of the perception of tourists visiting Cambridge.

Aim: The aim of this research is to gain a better understanding and insight into tourists visiting a historic city.

Objectives:

• To explore the reasons that appeal to tourists visiting Cambridge.
• To understand the tourist perception of Cambridge.
• To uncover the overall tourist experience.

Methodology:

Primary Research: Using the Qualitative Research Method (only) in a narrative description to present my findings and discussions.

Research Instrument: A semi-structured interview questions (qualitative) for a group of 60 tourists in Cambridge was prepared. This was designed to acquire first hand information on exploring the perception of the tourist visiting the city of Cambridge.

Primary Research completed:

A summary of the semi – structured interviews individually conducted on tourists in the city of Cambridge:

Q1: What are the Ages, Gender, Place of Residence of tourists being interviewed

Answer:

The tourists that were interviewed individually were between the ages of 18-25, 25-45 and the 45 + (plus), who were also both male and female genders. Their places of residences varied from domestic tourists to other Europeans countries, Americans and Asians and finally Australians were all interviewed.

Q2: Why did you decide to visit Cambridge?

Answer:

Some of the tourists interviewed, had invitations for Kings College Alumni Tours and other campus tours by students of other institutions. Other tourists were on holiday with their families and some were on day trips visiting friends and family.

Q3: Do you often visit historic cities or places? If yes, why is that/what do you like about them?

Answer:

Majority of the tourists answered yes on visiting historic cities. They enjoy learning about a history of a city and its ancient artefacts. Visits to museums and historic sites/ heritage homes and experience history in modern days.

Q4: How would you describe Cambridge?

Response:

The widely held realisation of the fact, the whole cities made up of different campuses. The mixture of old with the modernity. Whilst others mentioned the sense of walking in history.

Q5: What have you seen and done in Cambridge so far? Are you planning to see/do anything else?

Response:

The common replies for the day, are on the alumni tours of Kings College and Kings College Chapel, Cambridge university and other campus tours. The visits to the Round Church and Fitzwilliam Museum, the Corpus Clock and the Pink Floyd and Pop Culture tour Cambridge.

Q6: What do you like the most about Cambridge?

Response:

The popular response from the tourists was the more relaxed atmosphere in the city surrounding compared to other city centre, the short distances to travel from the little shops and galleries around the street corners, also surrounded by restaurants and other eateries. The city being easy to get around with local activities to enjoy with less travel in city and lastly, the sense of community amongst the residents.

Q7: Is there anything you dislike about Cambridge?

Answer:

The young tourists mostly complained about, the not so great night life in the city. They further commented on the city being too quiet at times, also tending to attract certain demographics such as particular age groups like either young adults (students) and the elderly.

Q8: How long are you staying in Cambridge for? If only for the day, why are you not staying longer? If overnight, what kind of accommodation have you chosen?

Responses:

Majority of the domestic tourists, were there on day trips, some were visiting friends and families or had a free day available, others were on family outings and touring the campuses in the city. Similarly, the international tourists had also taken days from their planned visits to visit Cambridge historic sites and toured the campuses. Most of them were staying for 2- 4 days because of their other commitments. Hotels and bed & breakfasts seems the popular choice of accommodation in the city.

This exam covers all readings, course activities, and lecture content assigned from Modules 01 through 06. Choose one of
the five questions below. Write an essay response of 250-300 words. In
your response, be sure to refer to specific concepts from the readings,
lecture notes, and/or discussions, and use these concepts to support
your points. Please state the question prior to your answer.

1. Explain what sociologist Howard S. Becker meant when he said, “it
   is not the act itself, but the reaction to the act, that make something
   deviant.”
2. Explain the difference between individual and institutional
   discrimination, giving examples of each type of discrimination. Then
   explain how these forms of discrimination are different from prejudice
   and stereotypes.
3. Of the three theories of global stratification (modernization
   theory, dependency theory, and world systems theory), which do you think
   is most relevant or useful for understanding global inequality? Explain
   why in detail, using specific examples to support your points.
4. Explain how functional theory would interpret the causes and
   consequences of technological advances in American society. Choose one
   particular type of technology to focus on, such as texting or social
   networking via Facebook or Twitter.
5. Compare and contrast two social movement theories, such as
   deprivation theory and resource mobilization theory. Use examples from a
   specific social movement to support your points.

Submit your completed assignment in one file to the drop box below. Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates.

Treasure Chest Scrapbook Career Search Assignment – Part 2

1. Surf the Internet sites choosing the sites that most interests you for career information for your ideal job
2. Using Microsoft Word, copy any text you want by dragging across the words then using the Edit – Copy command on the menu bar. You should provide proper citations at the bottom of your project page about where you found the pieces of copy. Be sure to follow proper College APA Format for your footnotes.
3. Save images you like by downloading them (Note: check with the authors of the page to see if any copyright rules apply. Usually students are allowed to download images that will only be used in the classroom. A good practice to get into is to use the email link on the page that has an image you want and contact the site administrator to ask permission. You might be surprised at the response you get.) To download an image from the internet you can usually right click on it with your mouse and then save-as to a file on your computer. This does not work if the image is protected on some websites.
4. Paste the images you’ve downloaded into your word document to make your research scrapbook. You may need to adjust text wrapping feature to make your copy flow around your images as desired.
5. Once you have created your research scrapbook, go over it carefully so that you can give clear and thoughtful reasons why you found the things you collected especially important relating to planning your career.

6. Finally you will save your work and place it all into a Word document and submit by email to me as Treasure

I WANT TWO PAGES.