Author: eugene

Researchers consider validity and reliability with each new study they design. This is because validity and reliability are not fixed but rather reflect a particular study’s unique variables, research design, instruments, and participants.

In the context of research design, two types of validity, which speak to the quality of different features of the research process, are considered: internal validity and external validity. Assuming that the findings of a research study are internally valid—i.e., the researcher has used controls to determine that the outcome is indeed due to manipulation of the independent variable or the treatment—external validity refers to the extent to which the findings can be generalized from the sample to the population or to other settings and groups. Reliability refers to the replicability of the findings.

For this Discussion, you will consider threats to internal and external validity in quantitative research and the strategies used to mitigate these threats. You will also consider the ethical implications of designing quantitative research.

With these thoughts in mind:

 

Post an explanation of a threat to internal validity and a threat to external validity in quantitative research. Next, explain a strategy to mitigate each of these threats. Then, identify a potential ethical issue in quantitative research and explain how it might influence design decisions. Finally, explain what it means for a research topic to be amenable to scientific study using a quantitative approach.

there is no guarantee for success for any person in a leadership role. It is not uncommon for a leader who has met success in one leadership role and environment to encounter an experience where his or her leadership becomes ineffective. As a result of various factors within situations, success may not be tied to the style of the leader. Various factors might include the situational context in which leadership is applied or the level of member motivation. For example, in Situational Theory, a leader may be effective because his or her style of leadership fits the situation. A leader may also be effective because of his or her ability to motivate subordinates. As outlined in Path-Goal Theory, a leader removes obstacles and provides support to subordinates to achieve goals.

For this Discussion, review the Learning Resources to consider the strengths and limitations of using the Path-Goal Theory of leadership in health care administration situations. Path-Goal Theory is widely debated in terms of its validity in leadership practices. As a result, for this Discussion, you must determine if you think Path-Goal is a valid theory of leadership. Then, think about how Path-Goal Theory compares to the Situational Approach Theory of leadership and consider an example of this comparison.

 

Post a brief description of two strengths and two limitations of Path-Goal Theory as applied in the field of health care administration. Then, compare Path-Goal Theory to the Situational Approach Theory of leadership. Be specific. Finally, explain whether Path-Goal Theory is a valid theory of leadership.

A Chinese proverb states, “In a broken nest, there are few whole eggs.” Within an organization, broken professional relationships may result in damage to the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization. For a leader, any “crack” or “break” in leadership may create future problems within the organization. With use of Leader-Member Exchange Theory and Social Network Theory, an effective leader may find that the creation of positive, professional relationships with subordinates is helpful in preventing breaks in relationships in order to guide an organization toward success.

For this Discussion, reflect on the similarities and differences between Leader-Exchange Theory and Social Network Theory. Consider how you might integrate each theory into your own personal, unified leadership theory. Think about how you might use this theory in a health care administration scenario.

 

Post a brief comparison between Leader-Member Exchange and Social Network Theory. Then, explain how you might apply Leader-Member Exchange Theory and Social Network Theory into your personal, unified leadership theory. Finally, relate this personal, unified theory to a health care administration scenario with which you are familiar.

As you recall from earlier weeks, various philosophical orientations hold unique epistemological and ontological assumptions. These assumptions return to the forefront of attention when considering how to evaluate the rigor or quality of various qualitative research designs.

Typically, when speaking of validity, qualitative researchers are referring to research that is credible and trustworthy, i.e., the extent to which one can have confidence in the study’s findings (Lincoln & Guba, 1985). Generalizability, a marker of reliability, is typically not a main purpose of qualitative research because the researcher rarely selects a random sample with a goal to generalize to a population or to other settings and groups. Rather, a qualitative researcher’s goal is often to understand a unique event or a purposively selected group of individuals. Therefore, when speaking of reliability, qualitative researchers are typically referring to research that is consistent or dependable (Lincoln & Guba, 1985), i.e., the extent to which the findings of the study are consistent with the data that was collected.

References

Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

For this Discussion, you will explain criteria for evaluating the quality of qualitative research and consider the connection of such criteria to philosophical orientations. You will also consider the ethical implications of designing qualitative research.

With these thoughts in mind:

 

Post an explanation of two criteria for evaluating the quality of qualitative research designs. Next, explain how these criteria are tied to epistemological and ontological assumptions underlying philosophical orientations and the standards of your discipline. Then, identify a potential ethical issue in qualitative research and explain how it might influence design decisions. Finally, explain what it means for a research topic to be amenable to scientific study using a qualitative approach.