Description
Descriptive statistics provide a snapshot of variables. They describe quantitative data by presenting the average or typical case. These types of descriptive statistics are called measures of central tendency. You can also describe data by showing how much the cases are spread out or clustered together. These types of statistics are called measures of dispersion. Measures of central tendency and measures of dispersions can be useful descriptors on their own, or they can be used as “building blocks” for more advanced statistics.
Neither approach (measures of central tendency or measures of dispersion) is superior to the other. They are often used in combination with each other to provide a fuller description of variables. For this week’s Discussion, you will consider which type of descriptive statistics (measures of central tendency or measures of dispersion) would be useful in describing the information you need to evaluate the program, problem, or policy you selected for your Final Project.
For this Discussion:
- Review Chapter 12 in your course text, Research Methods for Public Administrators, paying particular attention to the section on “Characteristics of a Distribution.”
- Review the article, “Introduction to Descriptive Statistics,” paying particular attention to examples of descriptive statistics.
- Think of a specific purpose(s) for using descriptive statistics in your selected organization.
- Consider why descriptive statistics would be used for this purpose(s).
- Consider the type(s) of descriptive statistics you might use, and whether the use of other descriptive statistics, might be valuable for this purpose.
Review the Learning Resources for this week. Consider the types of descriptive statistics that would help answer your research question.
Post a description of the descriptive statistics that might work well for the Evaluation Design in your Final Project. Explain how these statistics could be used, and justify why they are appropriate.
Readings
- Johnson, G. (2014). Research methods for public administrators (3rd ed.). Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe.
- Chapter 12, “Data Analysis for Description” (pp. 171–185)
- Taber, D. R., Chriqui, J. F., Powell, L., & Chaloupka, F. J. (2013). Association between state laws governing school meal nutrition content and student weight status: Implications for new USDA school meal standards. JAMA Pediatrics, 167(6), 513–519.
Association between state laws governing school meal nutrition content and student weight status: implications for new USDA school meal standards by Taber, D. R., Chriqui, J. F., Powell, L., & Chaloupka, F. J. in JAMA Pediatrics, 167(6), 513-519. Copyright 2013 by American Medical Association.
Reprinted by permission of American Medical Association via the Copyright Clearance Center. - Carnochan, S., Samples, M., Myers, M., & Austin, M. J. (2013). Performance measurement challenges in nonprofit human service organizations. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly.
Performance measurement challenges in nonprofit human service organizations by Carnochan, S., Samples, M., Myers, M., & Austin, M. J. in Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, [online]. doi: 10.1177/0899764013508009. Copyright 2013 by Sage Publications. Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications via the Copyright Clearance Center. - Hill, J. (n.d.). Introduction to descriptive statistics. University of Illinois, Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. Retrieved June 7, 2014, from http://mste.illinois.edu/hill/dstat/dstat.html
Running Head: DATA ANALYSIS FOR QUALITATIVE INFORMATION
Data analysis for qualitative Information
Name
Tutor
Institution
Date
1
DATA ANALYSIS FOR QUALITATIVE INFORMATION
2
Data Analysis for Qualitative Information
Introduction
Qualitative data is the data that approximates and characterizes. This is the information
that cannot be measured or quantified it can only be observed and results primarily expressed
in words or narrations.
Qualitative research
Qualitative research is inductive and exploratory as it tends to start with the littleknown information and progress to the formulation of new hypothesis and theories (Edin &
Pirog,2014) The information measured in qualitative fashion is information on people’s
emotions, opinions, and perceptions of a particular policy, program or business problem.
Qualitative research may help in identifying the effectiveness of government intervention
programs such programs include relationship skills program and programs on the movement
of youths to opportunities.
There exist many types of qualitative data, the following are the types of qualitative
data I will consider for my project. Data from a structured interview as a structured interview
would allow me to get more specific, relevant and conclusive information within a short
period of time. Other types of qualitative data that I will put into consideration for my project
are the official or public document, print media, books and article as these will be very
resources for accessing information which might be hard or expensive to acquire through
other methods.
For my project, I prefer an inductive approach in the analysis of the collected
qualitative data, as the approach is more thorough as compared to the deductive approach. In
addition, I will rely on the affinity diagram process in the analysis of the qualitative data
DATA ANALYSIS FOR QUALITATIVE INFORMATION
collected to help me in generating ideas that I will use to further the research for my
project(Johnson,2014). I will most likely employ manual qualitative data analysis technique
rather than qualitative data analysis software as manual data analysis will be more effective
and reliable in analyzing words and statements and the narrations collected through the
various qualitative data collection methods used.
3
DATA ANALYSIS FOR QUALITATIVE INFORMATION
4
Reference
Johnson, G. (2014). Research methods for public administrators (3rd ed.). Armonk, NY: M.
E. Sharpe.Chapter 11, “Qualitative Data Analysis” (pp. 162–170)
Edin, K., & Pirog, M. A. (2014). Special symposium on qualitative and mixed-methods for
policy analysis. Journal of Policy Analysis Management, 33(2), 345–349.
Special Symposium on Qualitative and Mixed-Methods for Policy Analysis by Edin,
K., & Pirog, M. A. in Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 33(2), 345–349.
Copyright 2014 by John Wiley & Sons – Journals. Reprinted by permission of John
Wiley & Sons – Journals via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Harding, D. J., Wyse, J. J. B., Dobson, C., & Morenoff, J. D. (2014). Making ends meet after
prison. Journal of Policy Analysis Management, 33(2), 440–470.
Making Ends Meet After Prison by Harding, D. J., Wyse, J. J. B., Dobson, C., &
Morenoff, J. D. in Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 33(2), 440–470.
Copyright 2014 by John Wiley & Sons – Journals. Reprinted by permission of John
Wiley & Sons – Journals via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Randles, J. M. (2014). Partnering and parenting in poverty: A qualitative analysis of a
relationship skills program for low-income, unmarried families. Journal of Policy
Analysis Management, 33(2), 385–412.Partnering and Parenting in Poverty: A
Qualitative Analysis of a Relationship Skills Program for Low-Income, Unmarried
Families by Randles, J. M. in Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 33(2), 385–
412. Copyright 2014 by John Wiley & Sons – Journals. Reprinted by permission of
John Wiley & Sons – Journals via the Copyright Clearance Center.
DATA ANALYSIS FOR QUALITATIVE INFORMATION
Vaterlaus, J., & Higginbotham, B. (2011). Qualitative program evaluation methods. NCSU:
Raleigh, NC. Retrieved from http://ncsu.edu/ffci/publications/2011/v16-n1-2011spring/vaterlaus-higginbotham.php
5
DRAFT EVALUATION DESIGN
1
Draft Evaluation Design
Courtnie Walker
Walden University
January 13, 2018
DRAFT EVALUATION DESIGN
2
Introduction
The facilitation and operation of programs by organizations can be held as a common
norm by contemporary organizations. The programs’ initiatives by modern-day enterprises are
based on diverse objectives which are usually organization oriented. For example, numerous
organizations both in the public or the private sector generally undertake various programs that
aim at boosting their knowledge on a specified area of interest. On the other hand, various
nonprofit institutions typically embark on programs that try to help a specific group of people in
the community in various dimensions. The implementation and facilitation of these programs by
organizations necessitate the need to undertake the assessment of the programs in an attempt to
determine the effectiveness of these programs.
However, evaluating the effectiveness of these programs remains a challenge to the
organizations. This assertion is valid due to the difficulties associated with the selection and
implementation of the best assessment methodologies. As a result, many organizations seek to
utilize research and evaluations as a means to gather data relating to the effectiveness of their
programs that are intended to help a target population.
The following study entails the discussion of the program by Mental Health America one
of the contemporary organizations in the United States. Mental Health America stands out as one
of the diverse organizations that provide various mental-related services to the mentally
challenged people within society. Besides, the paper will entail the various research questions
and variables to be employed in evaluating the effectiveness of the organization’s program.
Additionally, the study will highlight the evaluation and sampling designs to be used in an
attempt to determine the effectiveness of the program run by the Mental Health America. Lastly,
the paper will discuss the required information and the various means of collecting the data.
DRAFT EVALUATION DESIGN
3
Organization
The Mental Health America (MHA) is the organization of my preference for this project.
MHA is a modern-day nonprofit institution that was founded by Clifford Whittingham Beers in
the year 1909. The firm is based in Virginia in the United States as its headquarters and founded
on the philosophical principle of the “Before Stage 4” (B4Stage4). The organization prioritizes
on the needs of the patients with mental sickness with the objectives of improving and
recovering the mental illnesses of the overall Americans with mental health conditions. Mental
Health America as a healthcare institution presently has over 200 affiliates within 41 states in the
United States and stills undertake initiatives to expand to other states (Mental Health America,
2018).
The principal objectives of the MHA are to enrich mental wellness and recovery from
mental disorders in society through the provision of mental health advocacy, education, and
services in the community. To attain these organizational goals the Mental Health America
promotes both policies and programs that are mental health oriented. Some of the policies
advocated by MHA include both federal and state policies. Moreover, the “Life on Campus,” the
“Back to School” and the “Clifford Beers Society” are examples of the programs run by MHA.
Hence, it can be affirmed that the selection of Mental Health America as an institution for the
project can be held to be applicable to the project since the corporation is associated with policies
and programs which is one of the project’s necessities for the organization to be selected. Lastly,
the accessibility of the information relating to Mental Health America also makes this
association relevant to the project.
Program. The Mental Health America provides a recovery program which is mental
health oriented since it is aimed at serving the mentally challenged persons in the society to
DRAFT EVALUATION DESIGN
4
recover quickly hence enhancing their potential to secure employment positions that can help
them to create a meaningful and independent life. This recovery program can be held to be
critical not only to the mentally challenged citizens but also to the society and country as a whole
since the anticipated outcomes of the recovery program stimulate both improvements in the
living standards and economic productivity of the society and country by escalating the number
of human resources. For example, the securing of employment by the individuals who have
recovered after undergoing the recovery program of the Mental Health America promotes the
generation of taxes paid by these individuals as they purchase commodities using their incomes.
The promotion of an evaluation design for the recovery program can be held to be useful
to the Mental Health America. The statistical information on hand relating to the outcomes of the
recovery program of Mental Health America only enhances the detection of the number of
individuals who have secured employment after undergoing through the recovery program.
According to Johnson (2014), the application of the various research methods such as evaluation
design plays a substantial role in helping public administrators to make informed decisions.
Therefore, the promotion of an assessment of the recovery program would be important since it
would help in determining the number of people who secure employment and their self-esteem
and confidence levels after undergoing the recovery program.
Hence, this information relating to the recovery program derived from the evaluation can
be held to be valuable to the organization’s stakeholders and shareholders such as staffs and
board of directors respectively since it depicts the effectiveness and feasibility of the recovery
program offered by the Mental Health America organization. Besides, the evaluation of the
recovery program of the Mental Health America would be crucial since it would enhance the
determination of the possible defects associated with the program. In return, the identification of
DRAFT EVALUATION DESIGN
5
the possible defects of the recovery program would promote the room for improvement of the
recovery program.
Research question. StatPac (2009) assert that an effective research question is
characterized by a lack of unfamiliar words, lack of the use of emotionally loaded words,
accommodating all possible answers and evoking of truth. The following is the research question
for the project.
How effective is the recovery program of the Mental Health America in harnessing selfesteem and confidence levels among the mental health patients who had undergone the recovery
program?
Thus, since the research question is characterized by the use of familiar words, lack of the
use of emotionally loaded words, it accommodates all possible answers and it evokes the truth it
can be affirmed to be a good research question for the recovery program project of the Mental
Health America.
Evaluation design. The use of experimental design can be held as an optimal type of
evaluation design for the recovery program of the Mental Health America. The experimental
design also referred to as “golden standard” acts as a central point of assessing other types of
evaluation design (Rural Health Information Hub, n.d.). This declaration is centered on the fact
that the technique for evaluating the cause and effect of a program or intervention that is linked
with the experimental design. Hence, through the assessment of the cause and effect technique of
a program or intervention, it can be held to be important in studying the recovery program of the
Mental Health America since it would establish the cause and effect of the recovery program to
the mental health patients. The strongest evaluation design for cause and effect is the
DRAFT EVALUATION DESIGN
6
experimental design (Johnson, 2014). As a result, the determination of the cause and effect of the
recovery program through the use of experimental design would help in determining the levels of
self-esteem and confidence of the mentally challenged individuals who undergone through the
recovery program and their capability to secure employment.
Additionally, the experimental design is linked with high internal validity hence making
it the finest evaluation design for the recovery program of the Mental Health America., The
experimental design is differentiated from other types of evaluation designs by its trait of high
internal validity (Bryman, 2016). Thus, the application of the experimental design for the
recovery program would be appropriate since the high internal validity linked with this
evaluation design would highly promote the validity, effectiveness, and reliability of the project.
This affirmation rests on the fact that the use of the experimental design would boost more
material facts of the efficiency of the recovery program in harnessing the self-esteem and
confidence levels among the mental health patients who have undergone through the recovery
program and their potential to secure employment.
Sampling design. According to Edin and Pirog (2014), sampling design entails the
framework used in research that acts as guidance for the selection of a sample used to study a
given population. Besides, sampling design is characterized by two elements namely the
sampling method and the estimator. The sampling method encompasses the methodology of that
identifies the sample to be used in the analysis of a certain population. The common sampling
methods used in research are probability and non-probability sampling. Conversely, the
estimator refers to the process of calculating sample statistically such as means or standard error.
The probability sampling can be held as the most efficient sampling design to use to
estimate the effectiveness of the recovery program of the Mental Health America in harnessing
DRAFT EVALUATION DESIGN
7
self-esteem and confidence levels among the mental health patients who had undergone the
recovery program. The probability sampling can be held as a type of sampling design that
harnesses equal selection of every member of a given population (Flick, 2015). This assertion is
valid since the probability sampling uses random sampling techniques while creating a sample.
Precisely, the evaluation of the recovery program offered by Mental Health America would
employ systematic sampling as a type of probability sampling. Elsayir (2014) asserts that
systematic sampling enhances probability sampling by enriching equal selection of sample in an
entire population through the “nth” ratio.
The use of this probability sampling precisely the systematic sampling as the sampling
design for the assessment of the recovery program offered by Mental Health America can be
held to be rational. Firstly, the use of systematic sampling as a sampling design would harness
cost effectiveness. This argument rests on the fact that this sampling design enriches the studying
of the entire population using a given sample of a population rather than studying the entire
population which would be costly. Secondly, the use of systematic sampling in the research can
be held to be effective since it would reduce the element of bias which a major problem in
research. The systematic sampling would mitigate bias by lowering the degree of a judgment of
the research in the selection of sample since a random method is used which enriches equal
opportunity of selecting every sample of the entire population. Thirdly, the use of systematic
sampling can be held to effective for the research due to its aspect of less time consumption.
Systematic sampling is depicted by the element of less time-consumption since a simple and
short process is used in selecting the required sample of a population (Walliman, 2017).
Fourthly, the use of systematic sampling can be held to be useful sampling design for the
assessment of the of the recovery program offered by Mental Health America because its
DRAFT EVALUATION DESIGN
8
capability to generalize the entire population using the randomly selected sample. This
declaration is centered on the fact that the selected sample acts as a presentation of the entire
population. Additionally, the use of the systematic sampling can be held to be the optimal
sampling design due to a noncomplex element. This affirmation rests on the fact that the process
of selecting the sample of a population is easier thus does not require much knowledge of
sampling while using the sampling design.
According to Mental Health America (2016), an estimation of 44 million Americans
equivalent to 18.07% of the population in the United States experience mental illness. Thus,
based on the availability of the estimated population of the individuals with mental illness and
the population of mental illness of individuals who have undergone the through the recovery
program of the Mental Health America the required sample size would be 5,000 individuals. This
sample size can be held efficient for the estimation of the effectiveness of the recovery program
offered by Mental Health America since it acts as a representation of the entire population hence
would enrich generalization of the whole population. Moreover, this anticipated sample size can
be held to be relevant since it would enhance the validity and reliability of the research by
reducing the standard deviation.
Information need. One of the types of the data needed for the evaluation of the
effectiveness of the recovery program offered by Mental Health America would be the list of the
mentally ill people who have been admitted in this healthcare institution. This data would be
significant since it would be the basis of the population for the research. Additionally, the
information concerning the mentally ill people who have undergone through mental-related
programs in other healthcare institutions would also be needed for the evaluation. This data
would be important since it would be the basis of the comparison of the recovery program
DRAFT EVALUATION DESIGN
9
offered by Mental Health America and other mentally-related programs offered by other health
institutions. Besides, the demographic data of the mental patients who have undergone the
recovery program at Mental Health America would be essential since it would help in classifying
the patients in groups of various demographic variables. Moreover, this information would be
significant since it would help in reducing the aspect of bias in the selection of the anticipated
sample. Additionally, the information of the individuals who have secured employment after
undergoing recovery program offered by the Mental Health America would be also required for
the evaluation. This data would be essential since it would help in identifying the number of
people who have been employed after completing the recovery program offered by Mental
Health America. Lastly, the data related to the individuals who secured employment after
undergoing the mental-related programs offered by other healthcare institutions would be also
needed since it would compare the ratio of people who secure employment after going through
mentally recovery programs in Mental Health America and other healthcare institutions.
Data collection methods. The following evaluation of the recovery program offered by
Mental Health America would be categorized as qualitative and quantitative methods. The
qualitative data collection method would entail the collection of descriptive information
(Vaterlaus & Higginbotham, 2011). This information would be essential for the project since it
will provide qualitative data that would be essential in the determination of the effectiveness of
the recovery program offered by Mental Health America. On the other hand, the quantitative data
method would be essential in the evaluation since it provides numerical information for this
project. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods would involve the use of both
primary and secondary information sources.
DRAFT EVALUATION DESIGN
10
Data gathered from primary sources entails raw information which is usually collected
directly by the researcher. According to Randles (2014), the primary sources are usually used as
data collection methods in research in the collection of qualitative data. The use of primary
sources in this project can be held to be beneficial since they would enrich the collection of
detailed information such as when using focus group and in-depth interviews. Additionally, the
use of primary sources can be held to enhance a high response rate. This declaration is centered
on the fact that the direct contact with the interested participants would enhance trust and
conducive rapport that would persuade the participation of the respondents. Lastly, the utilization
of primary sources can be held to be beneficial to the project since it would enhance a timely
collection of the anticipated data hence enriching the actualization of the project.
One of the primary sources to consider in the evaluation of the recovery program offered
by Mental Health America would be in-depth interviews. The in-depth interviews would entail
conduction of interviews with the interested participants as related to the recovery program of the
Mental Health America. This form of a primary source would be essential since it would enrich
the collection of direct information related to the evaluation project. Secondly, the focus group
would be another primary source to use for the evaluation. The focus group would entail the
organization of a group of the sample required in a given place such as a room where the
discussion would be undertaken concerning the recovery program of the Mental Health America.
This primary source can be held to be reliable since it would enhance openness and
brainstorming of the involved participants.
The data collected from secondary sources entails any form of publicly available
information that has been collected by other individuals such as scholars other than the person
undertaking research. Secondary sources in research often provide both qualitative and
DRAFT EVALUATION DESIGN
11
quantitative information (Harding et al., 2014). Thus, the use of the secondary sources can be
held to be significant to the project since it would provide both qualitative and quantitative data
that would enhance broader research of this evaluation project. One of the advantages of using
secondary sources in this project is the facilitation of the accessibility of the required
information. This assertion is valid since the secondary sources are readily available to the public
through the use of the internet. The utilization of secondary data can also be held useful for the
evaluation since it would enhance the collection of relevant and reliable data since the secondary
data sources are mostly from professional researchers. Lastly, the use of the secondary sources
can be held to be beneficial due to its aspect of time and cost-efficiency. This assertion is
centered on the fact that the sourcing of information from secondary sources takes little time and
costs.
One of the secondary sources to use would be literature review from other scholars such
as journals. This type of secondary source can be held to be significant to the evaluation project
because it would promote the collection of required data related to the evaluation. Moreover, the
use of a literature review would be beneficial since it would enhance the reliability and validity
of the evaluation project due to the credibility element of researches conducted by other scholars.
Additionally, the use of the literature review from other scholars would enhance the expansion of
the evaluation project by providing insight on the various variables that can be also considered in
the project. Besides, this secondary source would be essential for the evaluation since it would
act as a checking and references point of the evaluation by guiding on how to conduct the
evaluation. Lastly, the use of the literature review as a secondary source would be significant
since it would act as a comparison point of comparing our evaluation project with others hence
ensuring the reliability and validity of the evaluation.
DRAFT EVALUATION DESIGN
12
Online publications such as government statistics and corporate websites would be other
secondary sources. For example, the Mental Health America website would provide reliable
information related to the recovery program and the individuals who undergo this program.
Hence, the collected information from the government statistics and corporate websites would
play a substantial role in understanding the evaluation of the recovery program. This secondary
source can be held to be reliable to the evaluation project since it would enhance the timely
evaluation due to its availability to the public.
Lastly, the use of books would be another secondary source to use for the evaluation.
This secondary source would be helpful in providing concepts, formulas, and definitions of the
aspects related to the project. As a result, the utilization of this type of secondary source would
enrich the understanding and efficiency of conducting the evaluation of the recovery program.
Moreover, the use of this secondary source would ensure cost efficiency since the books would
mitigate the need to collect data manually.
DRAFT EVALUATION DESIGN
13
References
Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods. Oxford university press.
Edin, K., & Pirog, M. A. (2014). Special symposium on qualitative and mixed-methods for
policy analysis. Journal of Policy Analysis Management, 33(2), 345–349.
Elsayir, H. A. (2014). Comparison of precision of systematic sampling with some other
probability samplings. Am J Theor App Stat, 3(4), 111-6.
Flick, U. (2015). Introducing research methodology: A beginner’s guide to doing a research
project. Sage.
Harding, D. J., Wyse, J. J. B., Dobson, C., & Morenoff, J. D. (2014). Making ends meet after
prison. Journal of Policy Analysis Management, 33(2), 440–470.
Johnson, G. (2014). Research methods for public administrators (3rd ed.). Armonk, NY: M. E.
Sharpe.
Mental Health America. (2018, March 30). About Us. Retrieved from
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/about-us
Mental Health America. (2016, October 17). Mental Health in America – Adult Data. Retrieved
from http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/mental-health-america-adult-data
Randles, J. M. (2014). Partnering and parenting in poverty: A qualitative analysis of a
relationship skills program for low-income, unmarried families. Journal of Policy
Analysis Management, 33(2), 385–412.
Rural Health Information Hub. (n.d.). Designing an Evaluation. Retrieved from
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/toolkits/rural-toolkit/4/evaluation-design
DRAFT EVALUATION DESIGN
StatPac. (2009). Qualities of a good question. Retrieved
from https://www.statpac.com/surveys/question-qualities.htm
Vaterlaus, J., & Higginbotham, B. (2011). Qualitative program evaluation methods. NCSU:
Raleigh, NC. Retrieved from https://www.theforumjournal.org/2011/04/03/qualitativeprogram-evaluation-methods/
Walliman, N. (2017). Research methods: The basics. Routledge.
14
Purchase answer to see full
attachment
Data analysis for qualitative Information
Name
Tutor
Institution
Date
1
DATA ANALYSIS FOR QUALITATIVE INFORMATION
2
Data Analysis for Qualitative Information
Introduction
Qualitative data is the data that approximates and characterizes. This is the information
that cannot be measured or quantified it can only be observed and results primarily expressed
in words or narrations.
Qualitative research
Qualitative research is inductive and exploratory as it tends to start with the littleknown information and progress to the formulation of new hypothesis and theories (Edin &
Pirog,2014) The information measured in qualitative fashion is information on people’s
emotions, opinions, and perceptions of a particular policy, program or business problem.
Qualitative research may help in identifying the effectiveness of government intervention
programs such programs include relationship skills program and programs on the movement
of youths to opportunities.
There exist many types of qualitative data, the following are the types of qualitative
data I will consider for my project. Data from a structured interview as a structured interview
would allow me to get more specific, relevant and conclusive information within a short
period of time. Other types of qualitative data that I will put into consideration for my project
are the official or public document, print media, books and article as these will be very
resources for accessing information which might be hard or expensive to acquire through
other methods.
For my project, I prefer an inductive approach in the analysis of the collected
qualitative data, as the approach is more thorough as compared to the deductive approach. In
addition, I will rely on the affinity diagram process in the analysis of the qualitative data
DATA ANALYSIS FOR QUALITATIVE INFORMATION
collected to help me in generating ideas that I will use to further the research for my
project(Johnson,2014). I will most likely employ manual qualitative data analysis technique
rather than qualitative data analysis software as manual data analysis will be more effective
and reliable in analyzing words and statements and the narrations collected through the
various qualitative data collection methods used.
3
DATA ANALYSIS FOR QUALITATIVE INFORMATION
4
Reference
Johnson, G. (2014). Research methods for public administrators (3rd ed.). Armonk, NY: M.
E. Sharpe.Chapter 11, “Qualitative Data Analysis” (pp. 162–170)
Edin, K., & Pirog, M. A. (2014). Special symposium on qualitative and mixed-methods for
policy analysis. Journal of Policy Analysis Management, 33(2), 345–349.
Special Symposium on Qualitative and Mixed-Methods for Policy Analysis by Edin,
K., & Pirog, M. A. in Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 33(2), 345–349.
Copyright 2014 by John Wiley & Sons – Journals. Reprinted by permission of John
Wiley & Sons – Journals via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Harding, D. J., Wyse, J. J. B., Dobson, C., & Morenoff, J. D. (2014). Making ends meet after
prison. Journal of Policy Analysis Management, 33(2), 440–470.
Making Ends Meet After Prison by Harding, D. J., Wyse, J. J. B., Dobson, C., &
Morenoff, J. D. in Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 33(2), 440–470.
Copyright 2014 by John Wiley & Sons – Journals. Reprinted by permission of John
Wiley & Sons – Journals via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Randles, J. M. (2014). Partnering and parenting in poverty: A qualitative analysis of a
relationship skills program for low-income, unmarried families. Journal of Policy
Analysis Management, 33(2), 385–412.Partnering and Parenting in Poverty: A
Qualitative Analysis of a Relationship Skills Program for Low-Income, Unmarried
Families by Randles, J. M. in Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 33(2), 385–
412. Copyright 2014 by John Wiley & Sons – Journals. Reprinted by permission of
John Wiley & Sons – Journals via the Copyright Clearance Center.
DATA ANALYSIS FOR QUALITATIVE INFORMATION
Vaterlaus, J., & Higginbotham, B. (2011). Qualitative program evaluation methods. NCSU:
Raleigh, NC. Retrieved from http://ncsu.edu/ffci/publications/2011/v16-n1-2011spring/vaterlaus-higginbotham.php
5
DRAFT EVALUATION DESIGN
1
Draft Evaluation Design
Courtnie Walker
Walden University
January 13, 2018
DRAFT EVALUATION DESIGN
2
Introduction
The facilitation and operation of programs by organizations can be held as a common
norm by contemporary organizations. The programs’ initiatives by modern-day enterprises are
based on diverse objectives which are usually organization oriented. For example, numerous
organizations both in the public or the private sector generally undertake various programs that
aim at boosting their knowledge on a specified area of interest. On the other hand, various
nonprofit institutions typically embark on programs that try to help a specific group of people in
the community in various dimensions. The implementation and facilitation of these programs by
organizations necessitate the need to undertake the assessment of the programs in an attempt to
determine the effectiveness of these programs.
However, evaluating the effectiveness of these programs remains a challenge to the
organizations. This assertion is valid due to the difficulties associated with the selection and
implementation of the best assessment methodologies. As a result, many organizations seek to
utilize research and evaluations as a means to gather data relating to the effectiveness of their
programs that are intended to help a target population.
The following study entails the discussion of the program by Mental Health America one
of the contemporary organizations in the United States. Mental Health America stands out as one
of the diverse organizations that provide various mental-related services to the mentally
challenged people within society. Besides, the paper will entail the various research questions
and variables to be employed in evaluating the effectiveness of the organization’s program.
Additionally, the study will highlight the evaluation and sampling designs to be used in an
attempt to determine the effectiveness of the program run by the Mental Health America. Lastly,
the paper will discuss the required information and the various means of collecting the data.
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Organization
The Mental Health America (MHA) is the organization of my preference for this project.
MHA is a modern-day nonprofit institution that was founded by Clifford Whittingham Beers in
the year 1909. The firm is based in Virginia in the United States as its headquarters and founded
on the philosophical principle of the “Before Stage 4” (B4Stage4). The organization prioritizes
on the needs of the patients with mental sickness with the objectives of improving and
recovering the mental illnesses of the overall Americans with mental health conditions. Mental
Health America as a healthcare institution presently has over 200 affiliates within 41 states in the
United States and stills undertake initiatives to expand to other states (Mental Health America,
2018).
The principal objectives of the MHA are to enrich mental wellness and recovery from
mental disorders in society through the provision of mental health advocacy, education, and
services in the community. To attain these organizational goals the Mental Health America
promotes both policies and programs that are mental health oriented. Some of the policies
advocated by MHA include both federal and state policies. Moreover, the “Life on Campus,” the
“Back to School” and the “Clifford Beers Society” are examples of the programs run by MHA.
Hence, it can be affirmed that the selection of Mental Health America as an institution for the
project can be held to be applicable to the project since the corporation is associated with policies
and programs which is one of the project’s necessities for the organization to be selected. Lastly,
the accessibility of the information relating to Mental Health America also makes this
association relevant to the project.
Program. The Mental Health America provides a recovery program which is mental
health oriented since it is aimed at serving the mentally challenged persons in the society to
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recover quickly hence enhancing their potential to secure employment positions that can help
them to create a meaningful and independent life. This recovery program can be held to be
critical not only to the mentally challenged citizens but also to the society and country as a whole
since the anticipated outcomes of the recovery program stimulate both improvements in the
living standards and economic productivity of the society and country by escalating the number
of human resources. For example, the securing of employment by the individuals who have
recovered after undergoing the recovery program of the Mental Health America promotes the
generation of taxes paid by these individuals as they purchase commodities using their incomes.
The promotion of an evaluation design for the recovery program can be held to be useful
to the Mental Health America. The statistical information on hand relating to the outcomes of the
recovery program of Mental Health America only enhances the detection of the number of
individuals who have secured employment after undergoing through the recovery program.
According to Johnson (2014), the application of the various research methods such as evaluation
design plays a substantial role in helping public administrators to make informed decisions.
Therefore, the promotion of an assessment of the recovery program would be important since it
would help in determining the number of people who secure employment and their self-esteem
and confidence levels after undergoing the recovery program.
Hence, this information relating to the recovery program derived from the evaluation can
be held to be valuable to the organization’s stakeholders and shareholders such as staffs and
board of directors respectively since it depicts the effectiveness and feasibility of the recovery
program offered by the Mental Health America organization. Besides, the evaluation of the
recovery program of the Mental Health America would be crucial since it would enhance the
determination of the possible defects associated with the program. In return, the identification of
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the possible defects of the recovery program would promote the room for improvement of the
recovery program.
Research question. StatPac (2009) assert that an effective research question is
characterized by a lack of unfamiliar words, lack of the use of emotionally loaded words,
accommodating all possible answers and evoking of truth. The following is the research question
for the project.
How effective is the recovery program of the Mental Health America in harnessing selfesteem and confidence levels among the mental health patients who had undergone the recovery
program?
Thus, since the research question is characterized by the use of familiar words, lack of the
use of emotionally loaded words, it accommodates all possible answers and it evokes the truth it
can be affirmed to be a good research question for the recovery program project of the Mental
Health America.
Evaluation design. The use of experimental design can be held as an optimal type of
evaluation design for the recovery program of the Mental Health America. The experimental
design also referred to as “golden standard” acts as a central point of assessing other types of
evaluation design (Rural Health Information Hub, n.d.). This declaration is centered on the fact
that the technique for evaluating the cause and effect of a program or intervention that is linked
with the experimental design. Hence, through the assessment of the cause and effect technique of
a program or intervention, it can be held to be important in studying the recovery program of the
Mental Health America since it would establish the cause and effect of the recovery program to
the mental health patients. The strongest evaluation design for cause and effect is the
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experimental design (Johnson, 2014). As a result, the determination of the cause and effect of the
recovery program through the use of experimental design would help in determining the levels of
self-esteem and confidence of the mentally challenged individuals who undergone through the
recovery program and their capability to secure employment.
Additionally, the experimental design is linked with high internal validity hence making
it the finest evaluation design for the recovery program of the Mental Health America., The
experimental design is differentiated from other types of evaluation designs by its trait of high
internal validity (Bryman, 2016). Thus, the application of the experimental design for the
recovery program would be appropriate since the high internal validity linked with this
evaluation design would highly promote the validity, effectiveness, and reliability of the project.
This affirmation rests on the fact that the use of the experimental design would boost more
material facts of the efficiency of the recovery program in harnessing the self-esteem and
confidence levels among the mental health patients who have undergone through the recovery
program and their potential to secure employment.
Sampling design. According to Edin and Pirog (2014), sampling design entails the
framework used in research that acts as guidance for the selection of a sample used to study a
given population. Besides, sampling design is characterized by two elements namely the
sampling method and the estimator. The sampling method encompasses the methodology of that
identifies the sample to be used in the analysis of a certain population. The common sampling
methods used in research are probability and non-probability sampling. Conversely, the
estimator refers to the process of calculating sample statistically such as means or standard error.
The probability sampling can be held as the most efficient sampling design to use to
estimate the effectiveness of the recovery program of the Mental Health America in harnessing
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self-esteem and confidence levels among the mental health patients who had undergone the
recovery program. The probability sampling can be held as a type of sampling design that
harnesses equal selection of every member of a given population (Flick, 2015). This assertion is
valid since the probability sampling uses random sampling techniques while creating a sample.
Precisely, the evaluation of the recovery program offered by Mental Health America would
employ systematic sampling as a type of probability sampling. Elsayir (2014) asserts that
systematic sampling enhances probability sampling by enriching equal selection of sample in an
entire population through the “nth” ratio.
The use of this probability sampling precisely the systematic sampling as the sampling
design for the assessment of the recovery program offered by Mental Health America can be
held to be rational. Firstly, the use of systematic sampling as a sampling design would harness
cost effectiveness. This argument rests on the fact that this sampling design enriches the studying
of the entire population using a given sample of a population rather than studying the entire
population which would be costly. Secondly, the use of systematic sampling in the research can
be held to be effective since it would reduce the element of bias which a major problem in
research. The systematic sampling would mitigate bias by lowering the degree of a judgment of
the research in the selection of sample since a random method is used which enriches equal
opportunity of selecting every sample of the entire population. Thirdly, the use of systematic
sampling can be held to effective for the research due to its aspect of less time consumption.
Systematic sampling is depicted by the element of less time-consumption since a simple and
short process is used in selecting the required sample of a population (Walliman, 2017).
Fourthly, the use of systematic sampling can be held to be useful sampling design for the
assessment of the of the recovery program offered by Mental Health America because its
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capability to generalize the entire population using the randomly selected sample. This
declaration is centered on the fact that the selected sample acts as a presentation of the entire
population. Additionally, the use of the systematic sampling can be held to be the optimal
sampling design due to a noncomplex element. This affirmation rests on the fact that the process
of selecting the sample of a population is easier thus does not require much knowledge of
sampling while using the sampling design.
According to Mental Health America (2016), an estimation of 44 million Americans
equivalent to 18.07% of the population in the United States experience mental illness. Thus,
based on the availability of the estimated population of the individuals with mental illness and
the population of mental illness of individuals who have undergone the through the recovery
program of the Mental Health America the required sample size would be 5,000 individuals. This
sample size can be held efficient for the estimation of the effectiveness of the recovery program
offered by Mental Health America since it acts as a representation of the entire population hence
would enrich generalization of the whole population. Moreover, this anticipated sample size can
be held to be relevant since it would enhance the validity and reliability of the research by
reducing the standard deviation.
Information need. One of the types of the data needed for the evaluation of the
effectiveness of the recovery program offered by Mental Health America would be the list of the
mentally ill people who have been admitted in this healthcare institution. This data would be
significant since it would be the basis of the population for the research. Additionally, the
information concerning the mentally ill people who have undergone through mental-related
programs in other healthcare institutions would also be needed for the evaluation. This data
would be important since it would be the basis of the comparison of the recovery program
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offered by Mental Health America and other mentally-related programs offered by other health
institutions. Besides, the demographic data of the mental patients who have undergone the
recovery program at Mental Health America would be essential since it would help in classifying
the patients in groups of various demographic variables. Moreover, this information would be
significant since it would help in reducing the aspect of bias in the selection of the anticipated
sample. Additionally, the information of the individuals who have secured employment after
undergoing recovery program offered by the Mental Health America would be also required for
the evaluation. This data would be essential since it would help in identifying the number of
people who have been employed after completing the recovery program offered by Mental
Health America. Lastly, the data related to the individuals who secured employment after
undergoing the mental-related programs offered by other healthcare institutions would be also
needed since it would compare the ratio of people who secure employment after going through
mentally recovery programs in Mental Health America and other healthcare institutions.
Data collection methods. The following evaluation of the recovery program offered by
Mental Health America would be categorized as qualitative and quantitative methods. The
qualitative data collection method would entail the collection of descriptive information
(Vaterlaus & Higginbotham, 2011). This information would be essential for the project since it
will provide qualitative data that would be essential in the determination of the effectiveness of
the recovery program offered by Mental Health America. On the other hand, the quantitative data
method would be essential in the evaluation since it provides numerical information for this
project. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods would involve the use of both
primary and secondary information sources.
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Data gathered from primary sources entails raw information which is usually collected
directly by the researcher. According to Randles (2014), the primary sources are usually used as
data collection methods in research in the collection of qualitative data. The use of primary
sources in this project can be held to be beneficial since they would enrich the collection of
detailed information such as when using focus group and in-depth interviews. Additionally, the
use of primary sources can be held to enhance a high response rate. This declaration is centered
on the fact that the direct contact with the interested participants would enhance trust and
conducive rapport that would persuade the participation of the respondents. Lastly, the utilization
of primary sources can be held to be beneficial to the project since it would enhance a timely
collection of the anticipated data hence enriching the actualization of the project.
One of the primary sources to consider in the evaluation of the recovery program offered
by Mental Health America would be in-depth interviews. The in-depth interviews would entail
conduction of interviews with the interested participants as related to the recovery program of the
Mental Health America. This form of a primary source would be essential since it would enrich
the collection of direct information related to the evaluation project. Secondly, the focus group
would be another primary source to use for the evaluation. The focus group would entail the
organization of a group of the sample required in a given place such as a room where the
discussion would be undertaken concerning the recovery program of the Mental Health America.
This primary source can be held to be reliable since it would enhance openness and
brainstorming of the involved participants.
The data collected from secondary sources entails any form of publicly available
information that has been collected by other individuals such as scholars other than the person
undertaking research. Secondary sources in research often provide both qualitative and
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quantitative information (Harding et al., 2014). Thus, the use of the secondary sources can be
held to be significant to the project since it would provide both qualitative and quantitative data
that would enhance broader research of this evaluation project. One of the advantages of using
secondary sources in this project is the facilitation of the accessibility of the required
information. This assertion is valid since the secondary sources are readily available to the public
through the use of the internet. The utilization of secondary data can also be held useful for the
evaluation since it would enhance the collection of relevant and reliable data since the secondary
data sources are mostly from professional researchers. Lastly, the use of the secondary sources
can be held to be beneficial due to its aspect of time and cost-efficiency. This assertion is
centered on the fact that the sourcing of information from secondary sources takes little time and
costs.
One of the secondary sources to use would be literature review from other scholars such
as journals. This type of secondary source can be held to be significant to the evaluation project
because it would promote the collection of required data related to the evaluation. Moreover, the
use of a literature review would be beneficial since it would enhance the reliability and validity
of the evaluation project due to the credibility element of researches conducted by other scholars.
Additionally, the use of the literature review from other scholars would enhance the expansion of
the evaluation project by providing insight on the various variables that can be also considered in
the project. Besides, this secondary source would be essential for the evaluation since it would
act as a checking and references point of the evaluation by guiding on how to conduct the
evaluation. Lastly, the use of the literature review as a secondary source would be significant
since it would act as a comparison point of comparing our evaluation project with others hence
ensuring the reliability and validity of the evaluation.
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Online publications such as government statistics and corporate websites would be other
secondary sources. For example, the Mental Health America website would provide reliable
information related to the recovery program and the individuals who undergo this program.
Hence, the collected information from the government statistics and corporate websites would
play a substantial role in understanding the evaluation of the recovery program. This secondary
source can be held to be reliable to the evaluation project since it would enhance the timely
evaluation due to its availability to the public.
Lastly, the use of books would be another secondary source to use for the evaluation.
This secondary source would be helpful in providing concepts, formulas, and definitions of the
aspects related to the project. As a result, the utilization of this type of secondary source would
enrich the understanding and efficiency of conducting the evaluation of the recovery program.
Moreover, the use of this secondary source would ensure cost efficiency since the books would
mitigate the need to collect data manually.
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References
Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods. Oxford university press.
Edin, K., & Pirog, M. A. (2014). Special symposium on qualitative and mixed-methods for
policy analysis. Journal of Policy Analysis Management, 33(2), 345–349.
Elsayir, H. A. (2014). Comparison of precision of systematic sampling with some other
probability samplings. Am J Theor App Stat, 3(4), 111-6.
Flick, U. (2015). Introducing research methodology: A beginner’s guide to doing a research
project. Sage.
Harding, D. J., Wyse, J. J. B., Dobson, C., & Morenoff, J. D. (2014). Making ends meet after
prison. Journal of Policy Analysis Management, 33(2), 440–470.
Johnson, G. (2014). Research methods for public administrators (3rd ed.). Armonk, NY: M. E.
Sharpe.
Mental Health America. (2018, March 30). About Us. Retrieved from
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/about-us
Mental Health America. (2016, October 17). Mental Health in America – Adult Data. Retrieved
from http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/mental-health-america-adult-data
Randles, J. M. (2014). Partnering and parenting in poverty: A qualitative analysis of a
relationship skills program for low-income, unmarried families. Journal of Policy
Analysis Management, 33(2), 385–412.
Rural Health Information Hub. (n.d.). Designing an Evaluation. Retrieved from
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/toolkits/rural-toolkit/4/evaluation-design
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StatPac. (2009). Qualities of a good question. Retrieved
from https://www.statpac.com/surveys/question-qualities.htm
Vaterlaus, J., & Higginbotham, B. (2011). Qualitative program evaluation methods. NCSU:
Raleigh, NC. Retrieved from https://www.theforumjournal.org/2011/04/03/qualitativeprogram-evaluation-methods/
Walliman, N. (2017). Research methods: The basics. Routledge.
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