Quantitative analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Quantitative analysis - Research Paper Example History confound defines events that occur during the data collection process to influence the dependent variable without effects from independent variable. The events may increase effects of the independent variable or reduce them and therefore compromises validity of data. Maturation confound however defines transitions in research participants’ cognitive or physical properties towards different rationale by the same person. A longitudinal study may involve change in age that associates with improved rationale and physical characteristics that may change an individual’s perception. Other factors such as education, stress, and physical strain may also influence a person’s rationale into different perspectives during a study. Test confound is another challenge to quantitative research and defines differences in results because of a research participant’s previous experience with the test instrument and the experience influences results from values that wou ld be observed on first encounter with the same test. Interactive effect is another threat to quantitative research and defines association between two or more confounds in a study. Interaction between treatment and history is an example results in different values from actual effects of a study’s independent variables (LoBiondo & Haber, 2013). Challenges of quantitative research are evident and offer a basis for differentiating between quantitative and qualitative research. Their understanding are therefore important, not only for development and implementation of qualitative research initiatives, but also for understanding differences between the two research methods in order to ensure development of a suitable research methodology for a study (Allwood, 2012). History confound is a significant threat to quantitative research because of its potential to alter results in a study. History can occur in a study’s internal or external environment and this defines the exten t to which it may be significant to a study. In a study to investigate effects of lecturers’ appearance on effectiveness of learning process, an independent forum on learning skills that averts students’ attention from a lecturer’s appearance is an external historic factor to the study. A seminar to lecturer’s on how to improve their lecturers is however, an external historical factor and both offer significant potential to shifting the relationship between lecture’s appearance and effectiveness of lecturers. The extent of such an impact on results further depends on effectiveness of the history factor. The challenge is based on factors beyond rationale of research participants and therefore defines independence from bias, unless the history event is selective to influence a proportion of research participants and their associated data. In the absence of bias, history has uniform impacts on phenomenon of study and therefore ensures reliability of c ollected data because of a possible uniform shift in relationships. Consistency in measures will therefore be attained in a historically confounded study but validity will be compromised because of lost accuracy on the effects of independent variables on the subject dependent variable. Possible existence of reliability but not validity in a data

Cultural Anthropology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cultural Anthropology - Essay Example Language being one of the most powerful tools of communications, it acts as a connection between two or more people hence enhancing knowledge of the society, as well as the residents of South Korea. Korean, being the official language spoken by South Koreans, is not only spoken in this country, but also all over the world. Moreover, English is taught in both middle and high school. Recently, Chinese has been increasingly popular as the South Koreans rediscover their ancient ties to China as a trading partner. Almost all the schools teach English due to the country’s tight diplomatic ties with United States of America. It is in this country where literacy level is as high as 98 percent and due to its homogeneity; almost everyone speaks Korean. Here, the education system is organized in a 6-3-3-4 pattern, with six grades of elementary school, where kindergarten is not included in the formal education system, three grades in the middle school, another three in high school and fou r years of higher education. With effect from 1953, elementary education was made free and compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 11 years. Practical and fine arts, social studies, arithmetic music natural science, physical education, moral education and Korean language are the basics of the curriculum. Admissions into middle school have been through a lottery system by zones so as to ease distinctions between schools of different quality. A curriculum includes 11 required subjects, electives and extra-curricular activities. High school education is a bit advanced as it provides advanced general and specific training based on middle school work. Also, it is based on entrance examination and is not free. Higher education institutions include four year colleges, universities and miscellaneous colleges such as seminaries. About 80 percent of these institutions are private but supervised by the Ministry of Education (pp.110). Â  The traditional Buddhist and Christianity are the two predominant religions practiced in South Korea. However, these religions have been influenced significantly by the native Korean peninsula, Joseon Dynasty, shamanism and the Korean Confucianism that was the official ideology for over 500 years. However, the most recent estimates show that approximately 46 percent of Koreans have no affiliations to any religion. Among the Christians, Protestants have outnumbered the Roman Catholics. Christianity was introduced here in the 18th century by the Jesuit Missionaries. While 17 protestant missionaries operate in the country, Catholics have only six missionary groups and 15 dioceses. Most of the people here who are Buddhists are members of the Mahayana school that is also practiced in China, Vietnam and Japan. Confucianism was the official religion from the 14th to the 20th centuries and also ensured Korean social order. It encouraged devotion to family, friends, worship of ancestors and family, peace, harmony, justice and ethica l living. Shamanism is the country’s oldest religion and still exists in many, diverse forms such as shamanism organizations throughout the country. Other religions include the Jesus Morning Star Church, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witness, Muslims and Taoism (pp. 107). Many Koreans hold to the belief that certain foods are eaten to treat various illnesses. Many South Koreans dislike iced beverages, and many avoid milk products as they are lactose intolerant. Here, vegetables and rice are the staple foods. A typical meal is comprised of steamed rice (pap), a type of soup known as kuk and raw vegetables (banchan). Meals are eaten in silence as it is inappropriate to speak while eating especially in the presence of an elder. Rice is eaten with a spoon and lifting the rice bowl to the mouth is ill manners. Kimchee, a Korean