Thursday, January 30, 2020

Fundamentals of Research Essay Example for Free

Fundamentals of Research Essay This paper will discuss the connection between scientific methods and research in the human services field. By comparing and contrasting, qualitative and quantitative research as well as the describing steps involved in scientific method is answered using realistic examples that may be used in the human service field. The pros and cons of the mixed methods are identified are relevant in the human service environment. The Scientific Method and Human Services â€Å"A scientific method is described a scientific approach to research and mainly depends on empirical reasoning; which discusses the use of combining logic and the use of careful observation and measurement that is accessible to other researchers† (Rosnow Rosenthal, 2008, p. 20). In other words, scientific method is a method to gather information, conduct an experiment, and produce a hypothesis. Researchers use the data from different sources, such as a survey, questionnaire, interview, or polls to formulate hypothesis or an educated guess). Descriptive, relational, and experimental research can be used in the human services field. For example, descriptive research consists of researching how things are. Relational researching describes how things are in relation to other things. Experimental research is a combination of descriptive and relational research† (Rosnow Rosenthal, 2008, p. 20). The hypothesis is a base for discovering who did what and why. For example, researchers in the human services field can use descriptive research to look at the characteristics of an alcoholic teenager. They may also focus on how it may affect the teenager’s relationships with others, behavior, performance in school, and obtaining, and maintaining his or her first job. Scientific methods are valuable assets within the human service and related fields because; the method helps determine new and improved ways to assist a client with his or her crisis. Steps in the Scientific Method The steps included in scientific methods are identifying research, reviewing literature, specifying a purpose for the study, data collection, analyze or  interpret the collection of data, as well as report and evaluate the research (Creswell, 2008). For example, contributing factors in a student’s poor performance in school. Step 1: Identifying the research A student has poor performance in school. Step 2: Reviewing literature. Select and research the statistics have contributing factors that lead to the poor performance in school. Step 3: Specifying the purpose for the study. Student’s poor performance is because of unexpected circumstances. Step 4: Data Collection Approximately 25% of students in school encounter uncontrollable circumstances before and during a course of study. Step 5: Analyzing or interpreting Data Poor performance may be due to financial, mental, emotional, or physical difficulties. Step 6: Report and Evaluate results of Research The research has found that the poor performance before and during a course of study is typically among students who are affected by one or more of the above instances. This occurs in about 100 out of 500 students. Quantitative and Qualitative Research Quantitative researchers decide what is necessary to study by asking specific or constricted questions by the collection of numerical data from participants. For example, the 25% of students display negative affects through some sort of difficulty during at least one course of study. Qualitative research relies on the opinion through answers to general questions during data collection from participants. â€Å"This occurs when researchers describe and analyze these words for premise; and conducts the  inquiry in a subjective, biased manner† (Creswell, 2008, p. 46). The determining factors focus on deciding what type of research to use, such as the type of problem, the audience, and personal experiences. Most students describe the poor performance as frustrating and overwhelming. Some students may begin to cry or lose eye contact during the interviewing process. Methodology â€Å"Methodologies suggest how inquiries are formed by demonstrating problems worth investigating, how to frame a problem, how to develop suitable creation of data collection, and how to make the logical link between them† (Jackson, 2007, p. 23). Combining both forms of data uses quantitative or qualitative data to gain more improved understanding of a research problem than each one separately. Qualitative research data typically comes from field work (Morse, 2005). Collected data is through interviews, direct observation, and written documents. Morse states that data from an interview is the participant’s exact words; relating to his or her experience, opinions, feelings, and knowledge (Morse, 2005). The observation of data is gathered from the behavior of the participant. Some examples of written documents are correspondence, questionnaires, and surveys. Mixed Method Research â€Å"A mixed methods research design is a procedure for collecting, analyzing, and mixing both quantitative and qualitative research and other methods in a single study to understand a research problem† (Creswell, 2008, p. 552). Sometimes qualitative research data is also used during mixed methods (Caracelli Greene, 1993). To study a larger spectrum, combing multiple methods is feasible. Triangular design, embedded design, explanatory design, and exploratory design are just a few examples of mixed method research. Conclusion When the human service professional uses scientific method, they typically use empirical reasoning to explain the results of data collection.  Scientific research helps human service professionals identify trends and indifferences among clients to enhance the quality of his or her life. The research also suggests methods to suppress the negative outcomes in the lives of the clients and their family. This is done by using qualitative data using numbers and quantitative data collection using personal experiences, surveys, or polls. References Caracelli, V. J., and Greene, J.C.(1993). Data Analysis Strategies for Mixed-Method Evaluation Designs. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis. 15(2) Creswell, J. W. (2008). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/ Merrill Prentice Hall. Jackson, R. L., Drummond, D. K., Camara, S. (2007). What Is Qualitative Research?. Qualitative Research Reports In Communication, 8(1), 21-28. doi: 10.1080/17459430701617879 Morse, J. M. (2005). Qualitative research. In Carl Mitcham (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Science, Technology, and Ethics (pp. 1557-1559). Detroit, MI: Macmillan Reference USA. Rosnow, R. L., Rosenthal, R. (2008). Beginning behavioral research: A conceptual primer (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Finding clarity in Buddhism, Christianity, and Philosophy Essay

Finding clarity in Buddhism, Christianity, and Philosophy There are many things in life that work to guide us to ultimate transcendence. Philosophy and Theology (specifically Buddhism and Christianity) each employ different concepts for allowing people passage to some harmonious place. Although each following is, in part, correct in their assumption of how to sustain a meaningful life, I find that the only religion that is relevant in dictating my personal transcendence is a particular way of life found in Christianity. While other followings have formed throughout the ages, making their own conjectures, and employing their own laws and paths to transcendence, Christianity is the only path I see as navigable. From the beginning of man’s existence, logic has been the only ingredient separating mankind from other species. While simpler animals roamed the earth searching for what was instinctually necessary, man developed into thinkers who analyzed life and made conjectures as to its real meaning. In a sense, when man began thinking life was born. However, there is no divinity in thought, rather its application and transition into forming logical ideas has made thought something worth pursuing. As time advanced so did thought, and slowly more and more complex ideas regarding the purpose of life emerged. All of the earliest civilizations had great thinkers who tried to unravel the mysteries of life. Like most religions, philosophy became something composed of multiple interpretations. Philosophers pondered the most important life questions, each taking their own stance, and providing numerous significant realizations. One of these new ideas was that life’s sole purpose was to think. Plato is considered a... ... the Bible every night, or pray once in the morning and again at night, both times at the foot of the bed. The only thing that matters is that one acknowledges Christ’s existence, lets him into their life, and fully embraces him in all endeavors. There lies in each following numerous ambiguities and many contorted fallacies. Each has very distinct thoughts about how to lead life and which way best allows a person to achieve transcendence. For me, the refined version of Christianity that is not about physical completions, instead employing a more Buddhist approach of spiritual accomplishments, seem to most aptly provide a stable working relationship with Christ. My relationship with Christ will provide transcendence within my life and eternal glory thereafter. Works Cited Burtt, E.A. The Teachings of the Compassionate Buddha. New York: New York, 2000.

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Humanistic Theory

Experiential and Humanistic Theory As a person goes through life and has ups and downs, their ability to handle the stress varies from person to person. At times, a person has difficulties maintaining all the pressures of issues that sometimes feel to manifest into deep sensations of falling. Not knowing where to turn or where to go to get a clear view of what it is that may has them continuing to feel all of the world is against them. Many people rely on friends and family to get that ear to sort out their troubles.Calm down an agitated person, assisting a friend through a death of a family member, or something as simple as avoiding negative thoughts through distracting, these forms of lending a hand can be described as psychotherapy. Anton Meamer discovered the age-old wisdom in the eighteenth century, early nineteenth. Anton realized that when a person or individual suffers a variety of mental anguish or illness, when put in a hypnotic trance, their symptoms disappeared. Many didn ’t understand the nature of what Anton was doing and dismissed a lot of his work.Later, Sigmund Freud rediscovered the theory and showed that the presence of caring, being attentive, becoming a trusted listener assisted with their issues or situations. Allowed a person to focus on their experience through revisiting long forgotten traumatic events and assist with symptoms of the trauma. Through observation, psychotherapy became a form of treatment and a new revolutionary form of therapy was born. As the foundation of psychology was being laid out, the development of theories began to be discovered.Understanding behavior and what may cause a person to want to strive in life and become successful in society opened the doors for theorist to develop a humanistic theory. The potential of an individual making a contribution to society and becoming a person who is likeable by peers, family, and friends led two theorist to develop the humanistic theory movement. Abraham Maslow and Ca rl Rogers regarded an individual’s personal growth and feeling fulfilled in life as basic human motive. Humanistic theory involves the development of an individual.The achievement of happiness is dependent upon the willingness of an individual to pursue their own deepest interests and desires. By an individual focusing on themselves, creating a strong sense of self gives a person to feel positive about their contribution to society. Humanist’s theory looks at behavior not only through the eyes of the observer, but through the eyes of the individual presenting the behavior. A goal of humanistic theory and therapy gives the client the opportunity to deal with their behavior and situation in their own terms of real self and ideal self.With this idea, a client’s progress and direction in the therapy is based from what they are and what they want. Achieving self-esteem in therapy through this process allows the client to evaluate their own sense of what. Self-esteem will also strengthen the understanding of self and not be something or someone they are not. As the foundation is being set, as the clients acceptance of real self begins to emerge, their self-esteem becomes solid and their awareness to eventually not strive for being someone or something they’re not creates a positive sense of self and their needs begin to be met.With the qualities of positive regard for self, having an unconditional awareness of self, creates an empathetic and genuine client and humanistic therapist relationship. Using the techniques of humanistic therapy allow therapist to assist the client in agreeing with the merging of their real self and the ideal self. No matter what the client reveals of them self in therapy, keeping a positive regard will keep the client in an accepting and warm environment. In the context of humanistic psychotherapy, the individual should expect the therapist to be accepting of whatever has been revealed.As this bond is established , the client’s achievements towards self-actualization can be secured through the understanding of the therapist creating a solid and functional use of the client’s needs. The development of the â€Å"pyramid of needs† by Maslow in 1943 became the blue print used today to identify the needs of individuals. Maslow believed that in the correct order, an individual can become self-actualized through a hierarchy of needs. Once an individual has met the basic physiological needs such as food, water, sex, sleeps etc. then they are able feel safety through the security of body, employment, morality, family health, etc. As the individuals moves up the hierarchy, feeling loved and belonged strengthens their self-esteem and reaching self-actualization is achieved. Carl Rogers believed that in order for an individual to develop fully, in addition to Maslow’s hierarchy, their environment needs to be genuine, accepting, and have empathy. Rodgers felt that without the essential environment that is nourishing, development of healthy personalities and relationships will not have the opportunity to flourish fully.Rogers continued to expand on Maslow’s theory by going a little deeper. He felt that an individual operates from a unique frame of reference through building self-regard and self-concept. As an individual is identifying how to meet their basic needs, what about the experiences that are learned? David Kolb took a different approach then just viewing behavioral theories. Kolb developed the experiential learning theory that takes the approach on how experiences, including cognitions, environmental factors, and emotions influence the learning process.Kolb illustrated that experiences provide a great deal of information that serves as the ground level for reflection. Through reflections, Kolb believes an individual forms an abstract concept. Kolb describes four stage cycle theory of learning that creates a transformation of an experience. Concrete experience also known as â€Å"Do†, reflective observation also known as â€Å"Observe†, abstract conceptualization also known as† Think†, and active experimentation also known as† Plan†. One may begin at any stage, but must still follow each other in sequence.The first two stages are ways to grasp an experience and the last two are ways to transform an experience. The first stage, concrete experience is when the individual actively experiences in an activity such as a lab session or field work. The second stage, reflective observation is when an individual consciously reflects back on that experience. The third stage, abstract conceptualization an individual attempts to conceptualize a theory or model of what is observed. The fourth stage, active experimentation is when an individual is trying to plan how to test a model or theory or plan for a future experience.When speaking of individuals, this describes the learner. Both theories d emonstrate an approach that helps an individual identify with their selves. Each approach taken may have a different model that is adhered to, however, each approach focuses on the experiences that an individual has had that make up their psyche. Through understanding where an individual is at with their level of needs, the understanding of how they perceive and learn the information helps build a strong foundation when addressing the issues and situations of a person.As with any type of therapy, using techniques that is considered traditional in the aspect of a person-centered therapy, creating an environment where the clients is allowed to lead the conversation in a therapy session gives the client a sense of control. Feeling as if they are being heard, the relationship can begin to form and the therapist will continue to be aware of the different levels of theory that can present itself. Using the correct technique in a session will be sure that the client’s subjective per spective isn’t being missed and both client and therapist benefit from the potential growth that is uniquely inherent in them both.References: Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc. Retrieved January 26, 2013 Kolb, D. A. , Boyatzis, R. E. , & Mainemelis, C. (2000). Experiential Learning Theory: Previous Research and New Directions. In Perspectives on cognitive, learning, and thinking styles. Retrieved January 26, 2013 McLeod, S. (2012). Humanism. In Simply Psychology. Retrieved January 26, 2013 Severin, F. T. (1973). Discovering man in psychology: A humanistic approach. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Retrieved January 26, 2013

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Gray vs. Grey How to Choose the Right Word

Gray and grey are both correct spellings of the word for the same neutral or achromatic color, a color â€Å"without color,† between black and white—a cloud-covered sky, ashes, or lead. The main distinction between the two spellings is a matter of geographical custom. While both spellings are commonly used throughout the English-speaking world, the common use of gray in the United States and grey in most other nations has remained constant. Of course, as is usually the case in things grammatical, there are certain exceptions and rules of usage for gray and grey that should be observed. How to Use Gray The spelling gray (with an â€Å"a†) is more common in American English, so if you are writing for an American audience, use gray when you mean the color (or the radiation measurement—more on that in a moment). How to Use Grey In the United Kingdom and in other variants of English, grey is the preferred spelling of the color word—and has always been. But because of the widespread adoption of the American spelling in the United States, the number of instances of the British spelling in English-language texts started declining in the 1880s. Used for centuries, both gray and grey come from the Old English word grÇ ½g and are related to the Dutch word grauw  and the German word grau. What it comes down to is that if youre writing for a British audience—or in a location that uses British spellings of words, such as Canada or Australia—you should use the U.K. spelling. Examples Gray is flexible. When used as a noun, it typically refers to a shade of the color itself, as in, â€Å"The walls were painted an ominous shade of gray† or a soldier during the American Civil War: It was a fight between the Blue and the Gray. As an adjective, it can describe an object or person as being without interest or character, as in, â€Å"They marched onward, as a line of gray, faceless men.†Ã‚   Used as a verb, it can refer to the aging process, as in, â€Å"David’s hair began graying when he was a teenager,† or â€Å"The graying of America.† How to Remember the Difference Though the use of gray and grey is still often confused and debated, as long as they are used in reference to the color, they can actually be used interchangeably anywhere in the English-speaking world. So, if you write, â€Å"The Queen wore a gray dress,† in London, you might be considered a rebel or a simpleton, but you would not be wrong.  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹ A simple trick for remembering this is that gray is typically used in America, while grey is typically used in England. Exceptions When referring to the specific color, gray and grey are sometimes not used interchangeably. This is typically done in an attempt to separate them into different shades or hues, with gray being a simple mixture of black and white and grey containing a little blue. For example, paint chip sample cards or fabric swatches often show a range of shades using both gray and grey. Despite this, gray and grey describe the same color family, and as commonly used, there is no difference between them. However, there are three distinct grammatical instances in which the â€Å"a† and the â€Å"e† cannot be mixed: In proper names: It probably goes without saying, but this is not a gray area. If someone’s last name is â€Å"Grey,† it cannot be spelled â€Å"Gray.† For example, the popular Earl Grey tea is named after Charles Grey, the second Earl of Grey and prime minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1830 to 1834.The dog breed: While it actually has nothing to do with the animal’s color, the dog breed greyhound can never be spelled â€Å"grayhound.† The same is true for the Greyhound bus service company.As a measure of energy: Last but certainly not least, especially to physicists, is the scientific measure of energy called the gray. One gray is equal to about one joule of energy radiated by the ionization of one kilogram of matter. The gray replaced the rad as a standard measuring unit of radiation energy in 1975. One gray is equal to 100 rads. Sources Gray (adj.). Online Etymology Dictionary.Grey. English Oxford Living Dictionaries. Oxford University Press.MacDonald, Cheyenne. The Future Is Gray for British English. Daily Mail Online. Last updated 28 July 2016.