This is Walden University course (EDUC8102-6) MD7Assgn1: A7 Research Application Paper #3. It concludes assignments for Module 7. Four articles from the required readings are used to discuss quantitative and qualitative research techniques and designs as well as contextualizing research for social change. The essay is written in APA format and includes references. Most universities submit higher-education assignments to turnitin; so, remember to paraphrase. Enjoy your discovery!

1. Running head: A7: RESEARCH APPLICATION PAPER 1
A7: Research Application Paper #3
Orlanda Haynes
Walden University
Author Note
This paper was prepared for Richard W. Riley School of Education and Leadership
EDUC 8102-6 Applied Research and Adult Learn
Ed. D Student
Spring 2015

2. A7: RESEARCH APPLICATION PAPER 2
This paper concludes assignments for Module 7. Four articles from the required readings
are used to discuss quantitative and qualitative research techniques and designs as well as
contextualizing research for social change.
A7: Research Application Paper #3
Quantitative Research Techniques and Designs
Quantitative Design
In the study “The Effects of Message Framing on College Students’ Career Decision Making,”
Tansley, Jome, Hasse, and Martens (2007) use a descriptive survey design.
Quantitative Methods
They proposed three research questions and two hypotheses:
(1) Do written persuasive messages affect the career decision-making self-efficacy,
outcome expectations, and intentions of college students to a greater extent than a
placebo control message? (2) Does the way a message is framed (either loss or gain
framed) differentially affect college students’ career decision-making self-efficacy,
outcome expectations, and intentions? (3) What effect do persuasive messages have on
students’ engagement in career exploration behaviors? (p. 2).
(1) . . . That the two treatment groups (gain-framed and loss-framed) would score
significantly higher than the control group on career decision-making self-efficacy,
outcome expectations, intentions, and career-related behaviors. (2) In addition, the group
that received the loss-framed message was hypothesized to report significantly higher
levels of career decision-making self-efficacy, outcome expectations, intentions, and
behaviors than the group that received the gain-framed message. (3)Finally, we
hypothesized that the career cognitions would be significantly related to career-related

3. A7: RESEARCH APPLICATION PAPER 3
behaviors (p. 4).
The population and the sample framework consisted of 126 undergraduate students . . . from
one community college. . . . Measurement variables included: reading of three essays (written
persuasive) prior to the completion of a manipulation check list, then completion of three
questionnaires: demographic questionnaire, the Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form, the
Career Decision-Making Outcome Expectations Scale; and the Career Exploratory Intentions Scale
(Tansley et al., 2007, p. 4, as cited in Haynes, 2015, p. 9).
Quantitative Analysis
Techniques included: A pilot study, a 5-point and 10-point Likert-type scales; data
validation, response partitioning, data coding, standard and multiple regression analysis, means
and standard deviations; ordinal and nominal data analysis; Cronbach alpha; Bonferroni
analysis; and . . . the internal consistency reliability coefficients in the areas of career decision-
making intentions and career-related behaviors were .63, which was below results of similar
studies (Betz & Voyten 1997, .73; Ochs & Roessler, 2001, .81 and .72, p. 7, as cited in Tansley
et al., 2007). However, they achieved a Cronbach alpha score of .91 (career decision-making
self-efficacy), which is significant (pp. 6-11, as cited in Haynes, 2015, p. 10).
Qualitative Research Techniques and Designs
Qualitative Design
In contrast, Wild, Shelley, & Gmelch (2003) used a one-shot survey design to explore
stress factors of community college deans (Stress Factors and Community College Deans: The
Stresses of Their Role Identified). Rather than pose a research question or a hypothesis, they
clearly stated the nature of their inquiry: to identify stress factors that adversely affected the roles
of community college deans. Although research in this area was limited, Wild’s research team

4. A7: RESEARCH APPLICATION PAPER 4
used works by Selye (1994), McGrath (1970, 76), and Gmelch (1998) as theoretical foundations
(pp. 1- 2).
Qualitative Method
Seven hundred and fifty community college deans received The 2000 National Survey of
Community and Technical College Academic Deans and The Community College Dean's Stress
Inventory (324 returned). Other tools included a 5 point Likert scale and stratified random, which
facilitated generalizability (pp. 1- 2).
Qualitative Analysis
Wild’s research team used PCA with varimax rotation; mean scoring of participants’
responses; data validation, response partitioning, and data coding; reporting and interpreting
data; identification of themes; and standard analysis (i.e., range, ordinal, and nominal). It
appears, however, that no pilot study was done (pp. 2-13).
Reporting and Contextualizing Research for Social Change
Synthesis of Results, Implications for Practice, and recommendation
Fetherston and Kelly (2007) used a grounded theory, nonrandom sample design to
conduct their study “Conflict Resolution [CR] and Transformative Pedagogy a Grounded Theory
Research Project on Learning in Higher Education.” They evaluated an introductory CR course
that had been revised using transformative learning principles. The result revealed, among
others, four clusters of transformative learning that could facilitate theory to practice more
efficiently than their previous program. Findings also identified underlying constructs that
adversely affected the course’s outcomes. Because they chose a nonrandom sampling technique,
Fetherston and Kelly suggested generalization as a factor for future research.
On the other hand, Hsia and Spruijt-Metz (2008) “Gender Differences in Smoking and

5. A7: RESEARCH APPLICATION PAPER 5
in Smoking and Meanings of Smoking in Asian-American College Students” used a correlation
design to determine if relationships existed between smoking habits and meanings in Asian-
American college students. They based their theoretical and conceptual framework on Spruijt-
Metz’s 1999 study. The results showed that statistically significant relationships existed. And
those sufficient levels were gender related. The research team proposed, therefore, that findings
could be used to create gender-specific smoking prevention programs within Asian communities
(as cited in Haynes, 2015, pp. 4-10).
Intended Audience and Journals
Fetherston and Kelly’s (2007) audiences included career specialists, college
administrators, and practitioners. Therefore, their article appears in academic journals and trade
publications. Hsia and Spruijt-Metz (2008), on the other hand, targeted Asian-American college
students and their communities, education communities, and manufacturers of gender-specific
smoking prevention programs, especially Asian-Americans. Therefore, additional publication
categories such as “popular and news” could be beneficial.
Facilitation of Social and/or Institutional Change
Both studies fulfill this requirement. Fetherston and Kelly’s research, for example, not
only revealed the effectiveness of an education program but also how practitioners could
efficiently transit from theory to practice. Likewise, Hsia and Spruijt-Metz (2008) results
confirmed their original hypothesis and provided new insights. In essence, these studies filled
gaps in the literature, expanded knowledge bases, and facilitated practices, all of which facilitates
social and institutional changes.
In summary, this paper represents the final assignment for EDUC 8102-6. Quantitative
and qualitative research techniques and designs and reporting and contextualizing research for

6. A7: RESEARCH APPLICATION PAPER 6
social change are discussed. Articles by (a) Fetherston and Kelly (2007): Conflict Resolution
and Transformative Pedagogy A Grounded Theory Research Project on Learning in Higher
Education; (b) Hsia and Spruijt-Metz (2008): Gender differences in smoking and meanings of
smoking in Asian-American College students; (c) Tansley et al. (2007): The effects of message
framing on college students’ career decision making; and (d) Wild et al. (2003): Stress factors
and community college deans: The stresses of their role identified are used for analysis.

7. A7: RESEARCH APPLICATION PAPER 7
References
Fetherston, B., & Kelly, R. (2007). Conflict Resolution and Transformative Pedagogy a
Grounded Theory Research Project on Learning in Higher Education. Journal of
Transformative Education, 5(3), 262-285. doi: 10.1177/1541344607308899
Haynes, O. (2015). A4: Research Application Paper #1. Unpublished manuscript. Walden
University
Hsia, F., & Spruijt-Metz, D. (2008). Gender differences in smoking and meanings of smoking in
Asian-American College students. Journal of Health Psychology, 13, 459–463.
doi: 10.1177/1359105308088516
Tansley, D. P., Jome, L. M., Hasse, R. F., & Martens, M. P. (2007). The effects of message
framing on college students’ career decision making. Journal of Career Assessment, 15,
301–316. Retrieved from
http://jhh.sagepub.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/content/2/1/73.full.pdf+html
Wild, L., Ebber, L. H., Shelley, M. C., & Gmelch, W. H. (2003). Stress factors and community
college deans: The stresses of their role identified. Community College Review, 31(3), 1-
23. Retrieved from
http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/detail/detail?sid=4fc2996e-
d295-4aba-a7de 9b0f4d009a70%40sessionmgr4002&vid=1&hid=4209&bdata=JnNjb3
BlPXNpdGU%3d#AN=12700932&db=a9h