Read the instructor guidance, the mixed methods section of Chapter 7 and all of Chapter 10 in the Creswell and Creswell text, and Chapter 2: Formulating Questions, Conducting a Literature Review, Sampling Design, and the Centrality of Ethics in Mixed Methods Research of the Hesse-Biber ebook. Your instructor will post an announcement with the reference for the mixed methods research study you will discuss and critique in this discussion.
In your initial post, consider the following:
What is the research question? Does the research question clearly call for both qualitative and quantitative methods?
Which type of mixed methods research design was used?
What procedures were used to recruit participants for the quantitative sample and the qualitative sample? Were the sample sizes appropriate? Why or why not?
What ethical considerations were mentioned in the research report? What applicable ethical considerations can you think of that were not mentioned by the researchers?
Would you have designed the study differently after evaluating how well the researchers carried out each part of the study? If so, how?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Discussion Critique of Mixed Methods Research Study
Research Question
The research question for the mixed methods study is: [Insert Research Question Here]. This question explicitly calls for both qualitative and quantitative methods, as it seeks to explore underlying themes and experiences (qualitative) while also measuring specific variables or outcomes (quantitative). The dual focus indicates a need for a comprehensive understanding that traditional single-method approaches may not achieve.
Mixed Methods Research Design
The study utilized a [Insert Type of Mixed Methods Design Here] design. This design allows for the integration of qualitative and quantitative approaches, enabling a robust analysis of the research question. For instance, if a convergent parallel design was applied, the researchers collected both data types simultaneously to compare and contrast findings in a manner that enriches the overall interpretation.
Recruitment Procedures and Sample Sizes
Quantitative Sample Recruitment
For the quantitative sample, participants were recruited through [Insert Recruitment Procedures Here]. This may include methods such as random sampling, surveys, or existing databases. The appropriateness of the sample size depends on the statistical power required to detect meaningful effects, which should be justified based on the research question.
Qualitative Sample Recruitment
Conversely, the qualitative sample was recruited using [Insert Recruitment Procedures Here]. This might involve purposive sampling, where participants are selected based on specific criteria relevant to the study. Assessing whether the sample sizes were appropriate involves considering the principles of saturation in qualitative research; typically, 12-30 participants might suffice depending on the study’s depth.
Ethical Considerations
The researchers mentioned several ethical considerations in their report, including [Insert Ethical Considerations Mentioned Here]. These often involve informed consent, confidentiality, and the right to withdraw from the study.
Additional Ethical Considerations
However, other ethical considerations that could have been acknowledged include:
– Data Handling: Ensuring secure storage and proper anonymization of participant data.
– Bias Minimization: Addressing potential biases in qualitative coding or data interpretation.
– Impact on Participants: Considering how participation may affect individuals emotionally or socially, especially in sensitive topics.
Evaluation of Study Design
After evaluating how well the researchers executed each part of the study, I would consider redesigning specific aspects. For example:
– Sample Size Justification: I would ensure clearer justification for sample sizes in both qualitative and quantitative sections based on statistical power analysis and saturation criteria.
– Data Integration: I would emphasize a more explicit strategy for integrating qualitative and quantitative findings to enhance coherence across data types.
– Broader Ethical Framework: I would advocate for a more extensive ethical framework that encompasses ongoing ethical considerations throughout the research process rather than just initial approval.
Conclusion
Overall, this critique highlights critical aspects of the mixed methods research study, including its research question, design, recruitment procedures, ethical considerations, and potential areas for improvement. By analyzing these elements, we can better understand how mixed methods research can be effectively conducted while addressing ethical concerns and methodological rigor.
