Evaluating Research Methods

Scenario 1: Ten students are available for in-depth interviews. Participants will be selected based on their involvement with the peer mediation program. They will be observed over three weeks. Analysis will attempt to determine issues concerning peer mediation. The best method for this scenario would be qualitative. The interactive aspect of this research and the fact that the data is in the form of words rather than numbers would lend itself to a qualitative research (2008, p.20).
Scenario 2: Two classrooms of students are selected. There are 30 students in each class; each group will have similar demographics—age, sex, race, socio-economic background, etc. Classes will be randomly divided into two groups of 15 students. Of these two groups, one randomly selected group will get training on peer mediation and the other group will not. Thus in each classroom there will be one group that is trained in peer mediation and one that is not. Analysis will occur on which groups have the fewest office referrals. The best method for this scenario would be quantitative with an experimental design. In experimental design, the research manipulates what the subjects will experience, and then makes comparisons between the subjects. It investigates cause and effect relationships (2008, p.23).
Scenario 3: A school counselor is interested in knowing how student attitudes affect the value of peer mediation to decrease the number of office referrals that are being filed for inappropriate interactions. This research method best used for this scenario would be mixed method. By using the mixed method the researcher investigates cause and effect relationships while combining numerical data. (2008, p.161).
Scenario 4: Peer mediation has become widely used in many schools. The feelings of those involved in the process are little known—either from those doing the mediation or those receiving it. The ZASK-R Acceptance Preference Survey will be given as pre- and post-tests to 40 students participating in mediation. Follow-up interviews will be conducted on a bi-monthly basis. Action research would be the best method used in this scenario. Action research provides an immediate response to data collected (Laureate Education, Inc., 2008). Action research also uses instruments that are convenient and easy to administer and score (2008, p. 175). In this scenario the students will be given a pre and post test and follow up interview will be conducted. This type of data would lend itself to action research.


Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). Program seven. Additional Research Methods [Motion picture]. Introduction to educational research. Baltimore: Author.

McMillan, J. H., & Schumacher, S. (2008). Research in education: Evidence-based inquiry (Laureate custom edition). Boston: Pearson.