Free Hint: Please Find Below Some Possible Aspects For Decomposing A Research Project Essay Sample

Section 1:

Please answer the question below [20 points, Max 1 Page=350 words].
Explain the phrase “correlation does not equal causation”. Why is the distinction so important? What conditions must be met to establish causation? Can they ever be completely satisfied? Assume you are interested in conducting a study that allows you to legitimately make some causal inferences concerning relationships among a set of constructs. What sorts of things can you, as the researcher, do to bolster your ability to make such causal inferences? In answering this question, be sure to pay attention to issues pertaining to both study design and data analysis.
‘Correlation does not equal causation’ is widely used in statistics and political science to differentiate a direct association between causation and correlation. Here, it argues that the correlation between a set of variables in an experiment does not directly indicate a causal relationship. A correlation can exist in the absence of causation. In this situation, it is agreeable correlation and causation are connected, but variables can be correlated without necessarily becoming causally related. The phrase is normally emphasized to avoid generalization of research findings. For instance, a correlation can exist between the weight of a car and the amount of fuel the vehicle consumes, but this does not necessarily mean a causal relationship between the weight of the car and fuel consumption. It is because another factor apart from weight may influence the fuel consumption.
Various conditions must be satisfied for a causal relationship to be established between variables. First, both variables must be related to each other, and second, it is important to establish a correct time order for the experiment. Moreover, the ability to make causal inferences is important and should be based on data obtained from a well-planned randomized trial. First, an experiment can be boosted through improving the study design. The study design determines the quality of data collected, and though research relies on knowledge a researcher has about the subject, it is commendable if the study design is logic based. It is achievable through forward projection. When structuring predictive models, efficiency is the main concern of a researcher, and cross-validation is a process that ensures a study design yields quality data. Moreover, in counterfactual ideas, it is important to ask better questions and improve the interviewing process to obtain quality data easy for generalization. Finally, enhancing exchangeability should be prioritized, and propensity scores can be used in this process

Section 2

Please assess the methodological strength and weakness of the article provided separately. Please refer to the items below to navigate through your answer.
[30 points] 700-1000words

1. Does it primarily rely on qualitative or quantitative techniques? Is it convincing?
The experiment relies on quantitative data. The research question was formed from quantitative data that evaluated the increasing investment in education. The Qatari government invested billions of dollars in various American branch campuses as a part of its development process of building a knowledge-based economy. Moreover, considering quantitative data exposing Qatar’s reliance on oil revenue, the government decided to find alternative ways of diversifying its revenue sources, and creating a knowledge-based economy would suffice by bringing more of its nationals into the workforce. It is convincing because it uses reliable quantitative data to support a knowledge-based economy.
2. Does it have a clear hypothesis?
With a well-defined hypothesis relying on qualitative data, it is possible to make a clear relationship between knowledge-based economy and economic development. According to the hypothesis, a knowledge-based economy will enable Qatar to diversify its economy in order to sustain its development process.
3. Are the variables defined clearly?
The variables influencing the development of a knowledge-based economy in Qatar are clearly defined. It is apparent Qatar’s attempt to create a local global educational system in Education City, encouraging diversity in a two-tier system, discouraging stereotyping and encouraging differences, and adopting American Academia within Educational City has influenced the ability to form a knowledge-based economy.
4. Are there issues pertaining to the operationalization of variables?
Issues may arise when operationalizing the variables in the article. It is difficult to design an experiment to investigate both meritocracy and Qatarization. Moreover, stereotypes in the educational system are influenced by numerous factors, especially religion and may be difficult to operationalize.
5. Is it inductive or deductive? Is it compatible with the nature of the research undertaken?
The study is deductive. Following the changes in the Qatar economy and the international system due to globalization, and its impact on Education City in Qatar, it was possible for a knowledge-based economy to thrive in this part of the country. The educational system is a fusion of both American culture and Qatari culture; thus, eliminates the rigidity of the system.
6. Is it exploratory, descriptive or explanatory?
The article is explanatory. Throughout the article, various variables that influence the possibility of creating a knowledge-based economy are explained in detail. The variables provided are important in determining the impact a knowledge-based economy will have on Qatar. Moreover, it explains what the Qatari government should use in order to realize this mission.
7. Is it nomothetic or idiographic?
The article is idiographic because it strives to identify the process of creating a knowledge-based economy. The process of creating a knowledge-based economy is limited to, Education City because it has a majority fusion of native and foreign students. It is difficult to generalize this approach to the whole of the country due to obvious differences in American culture.
8. Are there issues pertaining to data reliability? Accuracy? Validity? Data collection?
There are minimal issues regarding the data used for making inferences in the article. The article relies on data from professional sources explaining the changes in Qatari economy. Moreover, various peer-reviewed and secondary sources are useful in supporting various arguments on the variables that influence the creation of a knowledge-based economy.
9. Were the dependent and independent variables correctly selected? Would you do it differently?
Both the independent and dependent variable were correctly chosen. The independent variable can accommodate many variables; it illuminates the differences between American culture and Qatari culture on education. Moreover, the dependent variables chosen are appropriate because they have a strong relationship with the independent variable thus possible to yield meaningful results.
10. What is the sampling strategy? Do you diagnose any problems/limitations/constraints pertaining to sample selection?
The sample of the research article was the population of students from Education City. The sample selected is appropriate for the study, as they embody both Qatari culture and American culture. Moreover, the sample exists in an environment where they are influenced by both educational cultures, as colleges and universities in Education City are structurally based on Qatari culture, but the creation of these structures is influenced by liberal principles from America culture of education
11. Does the research reveal any causal inference or only representing correlation?
The research, reveals both a correlation and causation between knowledge-based economy and the variables influencing its creation and development. All the variables in the article have a correlation relationship with the independent variable, but not all have a causal relationship, except for the two-tier structure system, which openly discriminates in the process of admission into universities in Education City.
12. Have you diagnosed any problems of inconsistency regarding research aims & research implications?
The research did not consider various factors that do not directly influence the research process. Moreover, creating a knowledge-based economy is a complex process owing to contrasting cultures between Qatar and America. Therefore, the research identified an approach whose impact on the development is challenging to realize. Therefore, it is difficult to rely on creating a knowledge-based economy as an alternative and effective approach to development
13. Are there other logical pitfalls that you recognize?
Logically, the article is well constructed. It identifies some of the major challenges the Qatari government would encounter in creating a knowledge economy. However, embracing diversity in a two-tier system is logically impossible unless a structural change is initiated. It is because educational institutions continue to discriminate against foreign students instead of encouraging foreign student participation in the educational system.
14. What are the primary strengths? Do you think that pros outweigh cons?
The primary strengths of the research article is a focus on valid and reliable data in supporting its arguments. Moreover, it limits its focus on the main issues likely to influence the Qatari’s development process, and explaining these variables clarifies various issues surrounding the process of creating a knowledge-based economy.
Section 3 Assume that you are designing an experiment that would produce interpretable (i.e. internally and externally valid) results. Please follow the steps below to design your experiment.
[50 points].700-1000words

Please choose an aspect of public policy.

Public voice in agency decision-making process
2. Please identify your concepts.

Participant Voice

Human Rights
Stakeholders
3. Define your Independent and Dependent Variables.

Independent Variable: Participant Voice

Dependent Variable: Organizational structure, participant access to agency information, and participant role in the decision-making process
4. Operationalize your concepts.
Participant Voice: This is the influence of participants over the decision-making process in an agency. Participants can perform an oversight role or approval of decisions.
Human Rights: The rights of participants to ensure an agency’s activities, considers the interest of the public in the decision-making process

Stakeholders: Parties with considerable influence on the organization’s decisions, and include investors, employees, and the public

5. Please state your hypothesis with the operationalized variables.

Business interests are prioritized in the decision-making process, as a public voice is seldom considered.

6. Specify the type of experiment you will design.
A suitable experiment for this research is a randomized control experiment. In a randomized control experiment, it is possible to sample various views from participant because of an inclusive sample.
a. i.e. Set the pre-test and post-test conditions; Experiment group and control groups.
Pre-test Condition: Approach the public before the experiment to obtain their views about their influence in agency decision-making processes before the experiment

Post-test Condition: Approach the participants in the research experiment to evaluate their views after the experiment

b. Elaborate on your sampling strategy.
The sample includes members of the public involved in the decision-making process and is part of commissions and boards in charge of carrying out daily organizational activities and duties.
7. Assume that you have reached some data after the experiment. Summarize the findings briefly.

• The experiment found that commissions and boards favored decisions that sought to increase agency returns and profits from various activities.

• The agency did not invest more funds in public activities, as demanded by its social responsibilities
8. Do you accept or reject the hypothesis?
Accept the hypothesis. It is apparent public voice is seldom considered in the agency decision-making process owing to the research findings from the experiment
9. Please identify possible sources of the internal invalidity by referring to the list of factors of internal / external invalidity in Babbie and Benaquisto. Please elaborate on them!
Instrumentation: This may cause invalidity when the dependent variable measured in pre-test is incomparable to the dependent variable measured in the post-test.

Testing

Measurement can influence a dependent variable, especially when the participants are informed about the objectives of the experiment
10. Please suggest improvements for the next experiments.
It is important to have a control group and a treatment group. This is important in evaluating the factors that increase public voice and participation in agency decisions. It is possible when both groups are statistically comparable.