Urban ethnography and research integrity

Hard disks contain data - frequently an irreplaceable asset of high monetary and non-monetary value. At the same time, hard disks are mechanical devices that consume power, are noisy, and fragile when their platters are rotating. In this paper we demonstrate that hard disks cause different kinds of problems for different types of computer systems and demystify several common misconceptions. We show that solutions developed to date are incapable of solving the power consumption, noise, and data reliability problems without sacrificing hard disk life-time, data reliability, or user convenience. We considered data reliability, recovery, performance, user convenience, and hard disk-caused problems together at the enterprise scale. We have designed GreenFS: a fan-out stackable file system that offers all-time all-data run-time data protection, improves performance under typical user workloads, and allows hard disks to be kept off most of the time. As a result, GreenFS improves enterprise data protection, minimizes disk drive-related power consumption and noise and increases the chances of disk drive survivability in case of unexpected external impacts.

Qualitative research has gained greater attention in medical research, but it might seem to be unscientific because qualitative and quantitative research methods are grounded in different paradigm. In this article, we introduce three major qualitative research methods frequently used in studies of patient-doctor communications: 1) in-depth interviews; 2) focus group interviews; and, 3) semi-structured interviews. Each qualitative research method has different or common advantages and disadvantages, and which methods should be used depends on the study objectives. Qualitative research and quantitative research are complementary: while quantitative research explains the prevalence or variation of an issue, qualitative research explains the reasons or processes of that prevalence or variation. Combination of the two methods enables the gathering of more comprehensive and explanatory results.

This study was undertaken to explore the factors that could affect to the emotional exhaustion and turnover intention of Information Technology (IT) employees in Vietnam. This study was done through two steps including qualitative and quantitative research methods. In qualitative research method, nine information technology employees were interviewed to assess the clarity of words, the content of the questions and the ability to answer the questions of the readers. Formal quantitative research was executed by interviewing a sample collected by convenient method, using a questionaire, including 194 information technology employees in the areas of HoChiMinh city. The data was used to assess the scales and test the hypotheses. Cronbach Alpha coefficient analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), regression analysis were used in this section. The results showed some differences compared to the initial theoretical model. Only some elements in the theoretical model affect the emotional exhaustion, in which IT job demands is the factor that have the most powerful affect. Study results contribute additions to the theoretical basis of human resource management, by understanding more about the factors that have impact on the emotional exhaustion and turnover intention of information technology employees. Thereby, the results also provide additional facilities for the management of information technology enterprises so that the managers can make appropriate decisions in order to preserve the IT human resources.

This study examines the directions and mechanisms for improving data reliability in Bigdata and blockchain technologies. Currently, there is a sharp increase in data flow, data processing is performed in computer networks, and an increase in the volume of data also leads to an increase in the problem of data reliability. It is important to identify solutions based on the use of modern technologies to solve these problems. Observations show that data reliability violations are mainly observed in three areas, namely due to artificial and natural redundancy in data transmission, the integrity of interconnected data in data transmission and storage, and errors in large-scale data processing. The features and capabilities of Bigdata class data and blockchain technology to improve data reliability were mentioned. Data from the Bigdata class was analyzed to improve the reliability of data based on blockchain mechanisms.

In recent years there has been a growth of interest in breaking down the divisions between qualitative and quantitative research. However, although examples of multi-method studies now abound, there has been little discussion within the literature about the empirical and theoretical challenges that such eclecticism can pose. This article provides an example of a multi-method investigation into social scientists and their media relations wherein qualitative and quantitative findings appeared to contradict each other, and describes how the authors sought to explain and accommodate these discrepancies. Using this case study, they argue that it is incumbent on all researchers committed to the integration of research methods to deal with any differences that may emerge, rather than to resort to selective, epistemic prioritization as a get-out clause.

Quantitative methods have been widely used because of the fact that things that can be measured or counted gain scientific credibility over the unmeasurable. But the extent of biological abnormality, severity, consequences and the impact of illness cannot be satisfactorily captured and answered by the quantitative research alone. In such situations qualitative methods take a holistic perspective preserving the complexities of human behavior by addressing the "why" and "how" questions. In this paper an attempt has been made to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of both the methods and also that a balanced mix of both qualitative as well as quantitative methods yield the most valid and reliable results.

IntroductionContemporary validity testing theory holds that validity lies in the extent to which a proposed interpretation and use of test scores is justified, the evidence for which is dependent on...

<div class="WordSection1"><p>I am honored for being an alumnus of KEMC, and am delighted to write this editorial for the Annals. I have, ever since done my research and taught qualitative methods, felt that clinical methods are quite akin to qualitative research. Then, why only few clinical researchers use qualitative methods? A witness to this assumption is the research published in the Annals. In this treatise, I try to identify some parallels between the two types of methods and argue for the clinicians to invest in learning qualitative research methods to practice clinical methods well.</p><p> Qualitative research is to identify and interpret issues from the perspective of participants, their experience of: illness or disability, using health service, and to appreciate the meanings they give to the behaviour, events or objects in the context of their social and cultural norms. In this type of research, the emphasis is on exploring the associations and understanding the phenomenon in its holism; and not, like in quantitative research, from an outsider’s perspective and for certain specific aspects.<sup>1</sup> It requires participants with specific characteristics, selected purposely that can best inform the research topic. More participants, identified inductively during data collection, are added to develop full and multiple perspectives about the cases.<sup>2</sup></p><p> No preset data collection tool is used, instead qualitative researcher guided by a research question acts as an instrument, since the line of enquiry he changes during data collection as new understanding is gained and/or the situation changes.<sup>3</sup> The data for research is derived from the observation, interviews or verbal interactions, focus group discussions, document reviews, life histories etc. and the researcher asks why, how and under what circumstances things occur; and not just what, where and when. It is recorded in words or pictures and log book is used to record notes arising from interviews, observations, extracts from documents etc.</p><p> In health care settings patients are the subjects for clinical methods. The clinician, even prior to any verbal communication, observes the patient, e.g. for his gait and appearance. If in a bed or examination couch, his posture could give some clue to the illness. Inspection, a clinical method, is like systematic observation, which is qualitative method, should be holistic. In my third year during bedside teaching, Professor (late) Rashid Ahmed Qureshi said, <em>“patient has come to you as a whole and not his stomach in a tray”</em>, when a student straight went to examine abdomen of a patient with acute abdomen. History taking, another clinical method, is like conducting semi structured in depth interview – a qualitative research method. In both disciplines, we are told, <em>“not to ask leading, but follow up and probing questions”; </em>and Professor (late) Alamgir Khan, while teaching clinical methods, would add, <em>“if a good history is taken, you will establish diagnosis in over 65% of cases”. </em>Likewise, as part of history taking, documents related to patient’s illness history and treatment are reviewed similar to document review in qualitative research.</p><p> The two approaches however differ in how the data is analysed. In clinical practice, diagnosis is established based on the pathophysiological knowledge or patient’s clinical condition is discussed in clinicopathological conference.<sup>4</sup> On the other hand, qualitative research employs meaning based data analysis, whereby the qualitative data is transformed into some form of explanation, understanding or interpretation of people and situation that is investigated.<sup>5,6</sup></p><p> In conclusion, the history, the observation and the review of document related to patient are since obtainned using qualitative methods, the clinician trained in these methods could not only conduct these methods well but also interpret the data to identify and detect obstacles to the change in clinical condition and the reasons why improvement does or does not occur.<sup>7</sup> Finally, while it is heartening that research forums are organised in the institutions affiliated with KEMU, in order the research is richer, the researchers’ skills in qualitative research methods should be built.</p></div>

International Journal of Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods is run by the European Centre for Research, Training and Development, United Kingdom. The journal publishes outstanding academic, theoretical and methodological articles relating to quantitative, qualitative and research in professional and service settings. The journal covers issues addressed by researchers within academic and independent research organizations in […]

This paper aims to analyze the selection of literary texts in Malaysian lower secondary schools. Literary text selection involves two factors, the text and the reader. As the study required in-depth knowledge on both the factors, the research design includes quantitative and qualitative research methods. Research design includes quantitative and qualitative research methods. In the first phase of the study, a cross-sectional survey was conducted. A set of questionnaires containing 150 questions was distributed to 450 respondents from Form One to Form Three in five districts in Perak to address students' views on cultural familiarity of the texts, interest and motivation in reading literary texts, and physical features of the literary texts. In the second phase, six Form Two students participated in a retelling session to identify students' strengths and weaknesses in text comprehension. The findings from quantitative data showed positive results especially on cultural aspects. Students from Form One to Form Three understand the cultural aspects portrayed in the short stories. On the physical aspects of the literary texts, Form Two and Form Three students find the cover of their text book to be unattractive. In terms of students' preference of literary texts, Form One to Form Three students preferred reading foreign texts compared to Asian texts. As for the qualitative data, the session on retelling revealed the participants were able to relate main ideas and supporting details sequence the story line in order and understand text organization. The implication of the research indicates the literary texts selected, caters to Malaysian lower secondary students in Perak.

Mixed Methods Research Design (MMRD) has been used as a more potent approach in the research field of social and behavioral science. The purpose of this article is to explore and provide information on mixed methods study design. Secondly, the article discusses different categories and perspectives of health-seeking behavior from multiple angles of real social life. Thirdly, it focuses on the relevance and applicability of mixed-method design in understanding subjective and objective aspects of health-seeking behavior acting at the person, family, and community level, such as bio-social profiles and previous experiences with health care. The article has also briefly summarized the philosophy of mixed methods research design and different perspectives on health-seeking behavior. Mixed methods research, is one of the three major research paradigms (quantitative research, qualitative research, and mixed methods research) that is most appropriate to comprehending complicated subjective and objective facts associated to health-seeking behavior. This article will contribute to understanding the strength of mixed-method research design and its use with more holistic thinking on the issues pertaining to health-seeking behavior and human behavior.

This study aims to identify students’ creative thinking skills in solving the problem of using chitosan as a natural preservative in processed meat. This research uses mixed methods, namely a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods. We used quantitative research methods to analyze the results of student’s creative thinking skills in the application of RBL-STEM, while qualitative research methods were used to analyze the learning activities and portrait phases of students’ creative thinking skills. The research respondents consisted of two classes, namely the control class and the experimental class. The control class has 25 students, and the experimental class has 30 students. We used tests, interviews, and questionnaires to collect data in this study. The results showed that the independent sample t-test on the post-test scores of the control class and the experimental class showed significant differences. This is due to the value of sig (2-tailed) is 0.000 (p=<0.05). It can be concluded that the application of the RBL learning model with the STEM approach can improve students' creative thinking skills in solving the problem of using chitosan as a natural preservative for processed meat. The rest, based on the results of observations on student learning activities, 98.25% of students in the experimental class lies in the “very active” category.

Background Qualitative research has made great strides in recent years and it now makes an important contribution to our understanding of health and illness. But there are still many practitioners, academics and researchers who are totally bemused by its principles and practices. Content In the first of a series of three articles exploring qualitative research philosophies, methodologies and methods, I attempt to unravel some of its complexities and peculiarities, in the hope that those readers new to qualitative research will study it further and consider using it in the future. This article deals with broad questions of philosophy; most especially the fundamental difference between a quantitative and qualitative worldview. Conclusions This article explores the difference between a belief in a single objective reality and multiple realities, and relates these to quantitative and qualitative research methods. It also considers the role of theory, focusing on the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning. These concepts are the basis for the second article in the series on qualitative methodologies, to appear in the next issue.

The purpose of this study was to provide a comparison between the demand and supply aspects of live music performances in order to establish whether any differences exist between those aspects regarded as important by management and those critical success factors that visitors regard as important in achieving a memorable visitor experience. This research employed qualitative (supply aspect) and quantitative (demand aspect) research methods. The surveys concerning the visitors (demand) were conducted at six musical events representing diverse genres: classical, R&B, rock, blues, pop, and Afrikaans, where a total of 4,110 questionnaires were administered for all six genres. To determine the critical success factors in terms of what the visitors regarded as being important for a memorable visitor experience, a factor analysis was employed. The qualitative research method was applied by means of interviews to obtain the relevant information from the selected participants. All the data collected in the process were transcribed into text and presented in a narrative form. Creswell's six steps for data analysis and interpretation were utilized to analyze the data. Two themes were identified from the analysis; each of these was differentiated in terms of various categories and subcategories. The results from both the demand and the supply sides were compared with one another and significant differences were identified. The results of this research contribute greatly to existing literature and to the music industry as a whole, as this was the first time that research has been conducted on both the demand and the supply side. Moreover, this was also the first occasion on which both a qualitative and a quantitative research method was employed in research conducted at live music performances and where these were subsequently compared to one another.

The purpose of the study to prove nationalism as a moderating variable among the influence on the integration of financial statements and characteristics can be accounted for to taxpayer compliance. This type of research uses quantitative research methods. Quantitative research is research with data analyzed in the form of numbers. Quantitative descriptive research methods with the use of numbers from data collection, interpretation of data and exposure of results. This research procedure is done by conducting a questionnaire. Questionnaires are distributed using google form. The results of the study found that 1) financial statements intregation, characteristics can be accounted, and nationalism attitudes have a positive and significant effect on taxpayer compliance and 2) moderation of national attitudes on the integration of financial statements has no positive effect on taxpayer compliance while the moderation of national attitudes on characteristics can be accounted for positively on taxpayer compliance.