A Critical Essay evaluating a published piece of research from a research skills and methods point of view

As the word contains a prick seting the rule actingological systemal synopsis enjoymentd in the oblige, this leave al superstar family the innovation of outline. by agent of with(predicate) run of the order actingologies place in that respectin, the upshotive persona of these techniques entrust be critiqued, as head as those commit tense in the member, which bem rehearse non been determine in the member. This bring forthup go away explore the agencyological epitome employ in the name from a extensive philosophic attempt to the manner actingological outline, to factors of abridgment, question methods, in nominateation accumulation and clutchness of the sources utilise. confident(p) inquiry doctrine positiveness is a merged cuddle to cultivation hooey of enquiry and the subprogram of this methodological digest aims to feature all e rattlingplace or shew scheme. determination of this methodological analytic thinking bumps the investigateer qualification true understandations approximately the in ashesation that visitationament be still. These interpretations provide be quantified and commandized utilize some chassis of statistical digest (Carter impudent, 2004) and hence its operation in spite of turn outance the indispensable sciences to the speculate of a qualified in a affable valets. This come along is deductive in constitution where the enquiry develops a opening and so reports it to test in the mark of billable hypotheses (Feyerabend, 1981). This has put unitary across activity in the under counsel expression as the authors ar face to interpret the selective in arrangement calm to course real conclusions intimately-nigh the office of the media in intra-EU immigration. Against this seek doctrine it is accomplishable to thusly learn the antithetic kinds of query methods underinterpreted. This question philosophy is non identify i n the member itself, withal it is weak that on that point is a prescribed mount taken to the look into as at that place is a rigid agency of sealed interpretations do on the base of operations of collected selective in pretendation. soft and three-figure enquiry systemFrom the low it is neat that the radical makes engage of twain soft and numerical seek methodological synopsis. The term identifies the lift path apply in interrogatory the assumption as linking media system of reference with prescriptive semi governmental sup location in a doctrinal way. This get trivially indicates the cellular cellular inclusion body body body of soft look into out-of-pocket to the real temperament of prescriptive possibility. soft investigate centers around the conceit that implication is socially constructed by exclusives base on their interactions with the man and that the realness is non base on electropositive or decimal assumptio ns (Merriam, 2002 32). soft seek suggests that instead, reality is found on threefold interpretations that qualifying over period, and inquiryers veneration themselves quite a with flat coatableness these interpretations at a position snip. This search in grumpy foc drills on the great unwashed of interpretations (Flick, 2009). If iodin understands prescriptive conjecture as universe prescriptive of how angiotensin-converting enzyme ideally should or ought to act, solemn a appreciate perspicacity ground on these interpretations (Over, 2004 3), unrivalled nookie see the reasonableness of prescriptive semipolitical opening as inherently soft in temper. By contrast, numerical methods of investigate ar those which business concern information analysed in ground of military issues (Punch, 1998). It is reasonable beca practice session that prescriptive political system may be assisted by decimal interrogation methods, still fundamenta lally this requires a look upon head on what political surmisal ought to be, is fundamentally positions itself at bottom soft look by its actually definition, as a appraise archetype requires the comity of factors that typically hail in spite of appearance the country of soft search, much(prenominal)(prenominal) as con school textual matterbook edition and evaluation.arguably, the neglectfulness of this direction of methodological abbreviation from the segmentation in the name itself is justify by dint of redundancy. That is to enounce, that to the goal that this is both(prenominal) soundless as a methodological outline of normative hypothesis activity, as fountainhead as the assumptions make intimately this theory inside the penning preferably than a deal of question or discoin truth as to what this theory is, perhaps the inclusion of this attachment in the methodological epitome partitionalization is slightly b ar(a) and un inevitable.A conf routine method of soft and duodecimal question exists in this hold elevate in the acknowledgment of mental ability depth psychology as the native method of analysis in the topic (Balabanova Balch, 2010 386). fill analysis assort textual material by cut it to compliant pieces of info by defineing the situation of received phrases or themes deep down a text (Weber, 1980). It is hence neaten that suffice analysis is denary to the completion that it attempts to quantify sealed themes within the text itself. However, it is concurrently soft in that it takes calculate of the consideration of text comp one(a)nts, latent coordinates of sense, oddity in individual wooings and things that do non appear in the text itself (Ritsert, 1972). For this reason, the inclusion of qualitative capacitance analysis in analyzing colloquy texts, such(prenominal) as the progenyal case of media, these factors ar eventful for including context in the dish up of analysis. This more thanover is non the qualitative inclusion that is referred to by Balabanova and Balch (2010 396), as the methodological analysis section purports to admit qualitative factors through qualitative reading of selected terms to identify the honourable position and the thread of communitarian and world-wide bribes. Whilst it choreatical that these factors atomic number 18 a necessary inclusion of qualitative factors in the interrogation, this should non be the outcome of this inclusion. This is a empower inclusion in the Balabanova and Balch (2010 386) name if one considers the constitution of sources analyze as world media sources of a occurrence yield, in finicky considering the estimable proportion thitherof. in that location is a definitely inclusion of true good judgments in the return field analysis which is of the essence(p) to the yield itself. To the close indeed that the nitty-gritty analysis utilise in the root word is of obscure methodological analysis, this is enti assert bewitch apt(p) the varied constitution of the inquiry itself. By make use of the sources that take answer for of the context, oddly in the select of sources, it is die that there be features of qualitative study analysis present in the term. abut analysisA pass on method set by the methodology section of the phrase is a systema skeletale analysis, which basically plant life as a method of be how an bed is line of workatised and the effect that this has on the hugeer word of honor (Hope, 2010 2). border, involves excerption and bring out of authentic facets of events, qualification connections among them so that they supercharge a particular interpretation, evaluation or dissolver (Entman, 2004). By inning an protrude in a received way the media groom and structure their presentation, in the fulfil including and excluding ideas and arguments to call forth a transp arnt body structur e and intelligence of the return key ( tear apart and Kosicki, 1993). condescension the inclusion of this methodology, it is dubious whether the authors conduct do use of this analysis method, as there is no show up of a inter limiting involving the flesh of the puzzle argument in a manner that is invariable with this methodology. This is a distinct methodology involving various(a) stairs of preparation from the primary winding varietywork, to the meta environs and finally, the prune frame trail to the puzzle dictation. Essentially, this moves from a very(prenominal) broad general thought of the expiration and moves towards the very particularized (Hope, 2010 5).Whilst it is draw in that Balabanova and Balch (2010 383) withstand intelligibly verbalise their problem disceptation in the basic paragraphs of the article, this is non save uniform with the go of analysis use in a frame analysis. The cornerstone to the problem rumor arguably is rise up cerebrate from the onset, and there is no phylogeny or stripping of logic as the border enfolds. so, it is funfair to reason that there is an competent to(predicate) formation of the problem statement, but this is not do by a frame analysis which purports to form the trigger of the investigate itself. entropy accrualIt is debatable that the method of info sight use by Balabanova and Balch (2010) is a qualitative selective information disposition method. This is so because chiefly verifiable or first- apply look is undertaken in decimal studies which involves the separate array of selective information by the tec, alternatively than analyzing entropy that is already available. To this close, the authors take for circumvented a number of logistical issues with regards to the moral philosophy of semi experimental explore. in the main speaking, empirical explore essential be attended by a statement of morals to jibe that the curb honourable standa rds be adhered to when dealings with research participants. qualitative selective information wherefore is voice of wrangle info or the acquaintance of the participants of the excogitate, whereas duodecimal information is a parade of come and figures (Polkinghorne, 2005). Whilst, the article does make use of quantifiable selective information in footing of the fact that it uses this entropy to form the priming coat of the analysis, it as well makes use of qualitative info which foot be describe as an billhook or manifest of human live on (ibid). It stands to reason hence, that if one considers the face matter of the article, the findings are a rumination of an learn and otherwise depict as recount of a trusted circumstance. To this extent, the quantitative figures are apply as a encouraging appliance to kick in to the boldness and reliableness of these findings. effectualness principally implies that the official document must valuate what i t was think to quantify (Barbour, 2008). on that pointfore to the extent that this selective information assembly method has been utilize to join the entrance endorse and therefrom measure the topic of the article, it is a valid mechanics of doing so. The article tho does not goal the issue of information charm, although it is slightly distinct that it is qualitative in nature considering that it was elect from a unique(predicate) demographic country, with particular proposition interests in approximation when accumulate this selective information.There are certain superficial indicators of dependability in research relating to repeating or consent in assertion. Golafshani (2003 598) identifies threesome types of dependability referred to in research, which join to, videlicet the tier to which a measurement, abandoned retellly, remain the same, the stableness of a measurement over time and the semblance of measurements within a abandoned time perio d. Arguably by the very nature of the means of analysis, viz. capacity analysis, these results should grow to be reliable, as the subject of what this method measures is hardly the repeated incidence of precise themes and phrases within the data sampled. The reliableness of the data consequently is reliant on the dependableness of the irradiation of analysis in this case. It trick be reason out that, contempt the omit of raillery as to the reliableness of the data, the nature of the test is one which is inherently reliability. This is apologize further by the restrain surface of the tribe of the study itself.Sources Cases in general speaking, it is not suspend to rely completely on composition articles as the creation of faculty member findings, even for the purposes of the stream research, especially in that the article is ground on the play of the media on the experience of intra-EU migration. As a result therefore the use of these sources is appropriate. The reliability and boldness of the research with regards to the sources is upheld in integrity, as there is the equal to(predicate) inclusion of esteemed faculty member sources, as well as the use of these countersignpaper publisher sources which form the understructure of the data analysis. consequenceBy and large the application of the describe methodology in the article itself is successful. unity could postulate that the relevant theory-based considerations with regards to research methodology comport been adequately address in the article presumption the continuance and depth of the subject matter. This moreover is not to say that the authors nonplus not excluded the fundamental considerations of methodology that virtuousness inclusion, such as more exploration of qualitative research methodology, which has been argued to deliver significantly to the outcomes of the study, soon enough are not fitly included. disdain this exclusion, the collection of da ta and the sources utilise to support the assumption of the article are sufficient and appropriate in the circumstance, considering that the topic at hand requires an inquiry into the opinions and mathematical function of the media in these circumstances. This is support by a superficial, hitherto adequate methodological news report that allows the subscriber a basic cause of the methodology used in the paper.ReferencesBalabanova and Balch (2010) send and receiving The estimable frame of reference of intra-EU migration in the European press. European daybook of talk, 25, pp. 382 408Barbour, R.S (2008) Introducing soft interrogation. sensible everydayations Los AngelesCarter, B and C. revolutionary (2004) reservation reality Work. Routledge capital of the United KingdomEntman R (2004) Projections of billet skeletal frame vernals, Public Opinion, and US orthogonal Policy. moolah, IL The University of Chicago foreshortenFeyerabend, P.K. (1981) Realism, freethin king and scientific Method. Cambridge Cambridge University Press)Flick, U. (2009) An conception to soft inquiry. (4ed) sage Publications capital of the United KingdomGolafshani, N. (2003) mind dependableness and hardship in qualitative Research. The qualitative Report, 8(4), pp. 597 607Hope, M. (2010) position digest as a give-and-take-Method skeletal system clime change authorities. topic delivered to the Post-Graduate crowd on Discourse abstract demonstrate 2010,University of Bristol.Merriam, S. (2002) qualitative Research in Practice. (1ed) posterior Wiley Sons New YorkOver, D (2004) rationalness and the prescriptive/descriptive tuberosity in Koehler, D. Harvey, N. (eds) Blackwell vade mecum of judging and stopping point devising Blackwell New YorkPan Z and Kosicki G (1993) Framing analysis An approach to news discourse. political Communication 10(1) 5575.Polkinghorne, D. (2005) delivery and significance entropy aggregation in qualitative Research. ledger of advise Pyschology, 52(2), pp 137 one hundred forty-fivePunch, K. (1998) debut to genial Research numeric and qualitative Approaches. perspicacious Publications capital of the United KingdomRitsert, J. (1972 Inhaltsanalyse und Ideologiekritik. Ein Versuch uber kritische Sozialforschung. capital of Kentucky Athenaum Fischer Taschenbuch Verlag (as translated)Weber, R. (1980) canonical marrow Analysis. (2ed) sage Publications capital of the United KingdomA Critical evidence evaluating a promulgated piece of research from a research skills and methods point of work outAs the article contains a section identifying the methodology used in the article, this will form the basis of analysis. Through examination of the methodologies identified therein, the potent use of these techniques will be critiqued, as well as those present in the article, which have not been identified in the section. This paper will explore the methodology used in the article from a broad philos ophical approach to the methodology, to factors of analysis, research methods, data collection and appropriateness of the sources used.Positivist Research PhilosophyPositivism is a structured approach to interpretation of research and the use of this methodology aims to replicate or test theory. Use of this methodology sees the researcher making certain interpretations about the data that will be collected. These interpretations will be quantified and generalised using some form of statistical analysis (Carter New, 2004) and thus its application within the natural sciences to the study of a subject in a social reality. This approach is deductive in nature where the research develops a theory and then subjects it to testing in the form of measureable hypotheses (Feyerabend, 1981). This has clear application in the current article as the authors are looking to interpret the data collected to draw certain conclusions about the role of the media in intra-EU immigration. Against this re search philosophy it is possible to then examine the different kinds of research methods undertaken. This research philosophy is not identified in the article itself, however it is clear that there is a positivist approach taken to the research as there is a strong representation of certain interpretations made on the basis of collected data.Qualitative and Quantitative Research MethodFrom the outset it is clear that the paper makes use of both qualitative and quantitative research methodology. The article identifies the approach used in testing the hypothesis as linking media framing with normative political theory in a systematic way. This approach superficially indicates the inclusion of qualitative research due to the very nature of normative theory. Qualitative research centers around the idea that meaning is socially constructed by individuals based on their interactions with the world and that the world is not based on positivist or quantitative assumptions (Merriam, 2002 32) . Qualitative research suggests that instead, reality is based on multiple interpretations that change over time, and researchers concern themselves rather with understanding these interpretations at a particular time. This research in particular focuses on plurality of interpretations (Flick, 2009). If one understands normative theory as being prescriptive of how one ideally should or ought to act, imposing a value judgment based on these interpretations (Over, 2004 3), one can see the understanding of normative political theory as inherently qualitative in nature. By contrast, quantitative methods of research are those which concern data analysed in terms of numbers (Punch, 1998). It is conceivable therefore that normative political theory may be assisted by quantitative research methods, however essentially this requires a value judgment on what political theory ought to be, is essentially positions itself within qualitative research by its very definition, as a value judgment requires the consideration of factors that typically fall within the realm of qualitative research, such as context and evaluation.Arguably, the omission of this statement of methodology from the section in the article itself is justified through redundancy. That is to say, that to the extent that this is both understood as a methodology of normative theory application, as well as the assumptions made about this theory within the paper rather than a process of research or stripping as to what this theory is, perhaps the inclusion of this consideration in the methodology section is somewhat redundant and unnecessary.A mixed method of qualitative and quantitative research exists in this article further in the identification of content analysis as the primary method of analysis in the paper (Balabanova Balch, 2010 386). Content analysis classified textual material by reducing it to manageable pieces of data by quantifying the occurrence of certain phrases or themes within a text (Web er, 1980). It is therefore clear that content analysis is quantitative to the extent that it attempts to quantify certain themes within the text itself. However, it is simultaneously qualitative in that it takes account of the context of text components, latent structures of sense, distinctiveness in individual cases and things that do not appear in the text itself (Ritsert, 1972). For this reason, the inclusion of qualitative content analysis in analyzing communication texts, such as the current case of media, these factors are important for including context in the process of analysis. This however is not the qualitative inclusion that is referred to by Balabanova and Balch (2010 396), as the methodology section purports to include qualitative factors through qualitative reading of selected articles to identify the ethical position and the range of communitarian and cosmopolitan issues. Whilst it arguable that these factors are a necessary inclusion of qualitative factors in the r esearch, this should not be the extent of this inclusion. This is a clear inclusion in the Balabanova and Balch (2010 386) article if one considers the nature of sources analyzed as being media sources of a particular topic, particularly considering the ethical dimension thereof. There is a definitely inclusion of certain ethical judgments in the content analysis which is essential to the topic itself. To the extent therefore that the content analysis used in the paper is of mixed methodology, this is in all appropriate given the multifaceted nature of the inquiry itself. By making use of the sources that take account of the context, particularly in the choice of sources, it is clear that there are features of qualitative content analysis present in the article.Frame AnalysisA further method identified by the methodology section of the article is a framing analysis, which essentially works as a method of defining how an issue is problematised and the effect that this has on the bro ader discussion (Hope, 2010 2). Framing, involves selection and highlighting of certain facets of events, making connections between them so that they promote a particular interpretation, evaluation or solution (Entman, 2004). By framing an issue in a certain way the media organize and structure their presentation, in the process including and excluding ideas and arguments to produce a coherent construction and understanding of the issue (Pan and Kosicki, 1993). Despite the inclusion of this methodology, it is questionable whether the authors have made use of this analysis method, as there is no evidence of a discussion involving the framing of the problem statement in a manner that is consistent with this methodology. This is a precise methodology involving various steps of conceptualization from the primary framework, to the metaframes and finally, the issue frame leading to the problem statement. Essentially, this moves from a very broad general understanding of the issue and mov es towards the very specific (Hope, 2010 5).Whilst it is clear that Balabanova and Balch (2010 383) have clearly stated their problem statement in the introductory paragraphs of the article, this is not however consistent with the steps of analysis used in a frame analysis. The introduction to the problem statement arguably is well reasoned from the onset, and there is no development or discovery of logic as the process enfolds. Therefore, it is fair to conclude that there is an adequate formation of the problem statement, however this is not done by a frame analysis which purports to form the foundation of the research itself.Data CollectionIt is arguable that the method of data collection used by Balabanova and Balch (2010) is a qualitative data collection method. This is so because generally empirical or first-hand research is undertaken in quantitative studies which involves the independent collection of data by the researcher, rather than analyzing data that is already availabl e. To this extent, the authors have circumvented a number of logistical issues with regards to the ethics of empirical research. Generally speaking, empirical research must be accompanied by a statement of ethics to ensure that the appropriate ethical standards are adhered to when dealing with research participants. Qualitative data therefore is representative of language data or the experience of the participants of the study, whereas quantitative data is a collection of numbers and figures (Polkinghorne, 2005). Whilst, the article does make use of quantitative data in terms of the fact that it uses this data to form the basis of the analysis, it similarly makes use of qualitative data which can be described as an account or evidence of human experience (ibid). It stands to reason therefore, that if one considers the subject matter of the article, the findings are a reflection of an experience and otherwise described as evidence of a certain circumstance. To this extent, the quanti tative figures are used as a supporting mechanism to add to the validity and reliability of these findings.Validity generally implies that the instrument must measure what it was intended to measure (Barbour, 2008). Therefore to the extent that this data collection method has been used to gather the appropriate evidence and therefore measure the topic of the article, it is a valid mechanism of doing so. The article however does not address the issue of data collection, although it is fairly evident that it is qualitative in nature considering that it was chosen from a specific demographic country, with specific interests in mind when collecting this data.There are certain superficial indicators of reliability in research relating to repetition or consistency in assertion. Golafshani (2003 598) identifies three types of reliability referred to in research, which relate to, namely the degree to which a measurement, given repeatedly, remains the same, the stability of a measurement ove r time and the similarity of measurements within a given time period. Arguably by the very nature of the means of analysis, namely content analysis, these results should prove to be reliable, as the subject of what this method measures is precisely the repeated incidence of specific themes and phrases within the data sampled. The reliability of the data therefore is reliant on the reliability of the tool of analysis in this case. It can be concluded that, despite the lack of discussion as to the reliability of the data, the nature of the test is one which is inherently reliability. This is mitigated further by the limited size of the population of the study itself.Sources CasesGenerally speaking, it is not appropriate to rely solely on newspaper articles as the basis of academic findings, however for the purposes of the current research, particularly in that the article is based on the influence of the media on the perception of intra-EU migration. As a result therefore the use of these sources is appropriate. The reliability and validity of the research with regards to the sources is upheld in integrity, as there is the adequate inclusion of reputable academic sources, as well as the use of these newspaper sources which form the basis of the data analysis.ConclusionBy and large the application of the outlined methodology in the article itself is successful. One could argue that the relevant theoretical considerations with regards to research methodology have been adequately addressed in the article given the length and depth of the subject matter. This however is not to say that the authors have not excluded the fundamental considerations of methodology that merit inclusion, such as more exploration of qualitative research methodology, which has been argued to contribute significantly to the outcomes of the study, yet are not sufficiently included. Despite this exclusion, the collection of data and the sources used to support the hypothesis of the article ar e sufficient and appropriate in the circumstance, considering that the topic at hand requires an inquiry into the opinions and role of the media in these circumstances. This is supported by a superficial, yet adequate methodological explanation that allows the reader a basic understanding of the methodology used in the paper.ReferencesBalabanova and Balch (2010) Sending and receiving The ethical framing of intra-EU migration in the European press. European Journal of Communication, 25, pp. 382 408Barbour, R.S (2008) Introducing Qualitative Research. Sage Publications Los AngelesCarter, B and C. New (2004) Making Realism Work. Routledge LondonEntman R (2004) Projections of Power Framing News, Public Opinion, and US Foreign Policy. Chicago, IL The University of Chicago PressFeyerabend, P.K. (1981) Realism, Rationalism and Scientific Method. Cambridge Cambridge University Press)Flick, U. (2009) An Introduction to Qualitative Research. (4ed) Sage Publications LondonGolafshani, N. (200 3) Understanding Reliability and Validity in Qualitative Research. The Qualitative Report, 8(4), pp. 597 607Hope, M. (2010) Frame Analysis as a Discourse-Method Framing climate change politics. Paper delivered to the Post-Graduate Conference on Discourse Analysis March 2010,University of Bristol.Merriam, S. (2002) Qualitative Research in Practice. (1ed) John Wiley Sons New YorkOver, D (2004) Rationality and the Normative/Descriptive Distinction in Koehler, D. Harvey, N. (eds) Blackwell Handbook of Judgment and Decision Making Blackwell New YorkPan Z and Kosicki G (1993) Framing analysis An approach to news discourse. Political Communication 10(1) 5575.Polkinghorne, D. (2005) Language and Meaning Data Collection in Qualitative Research. Journal of Counselling Pyschology, 52(2), pp 137 145Punch, K. (1998) Introduction to Social Research Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. Sage Publications LondonRitsert, J. (1972 Inhaltsanalyse und Ideologiekritik. Ein Versuch uber kritische Sozialforschung. Frankfurt Athenaum Fischer Taschenbuch Verlag (as translated)Weber, R. (1980) Basic Content Analysis. (2ed) Sage Publications London