Useful Data for PTSD Sufferers' Career - Essay Example

?Introduction Career and work motivation research plan for sufferers of PTSD is an important undertaking. “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)” is prevalent amongst many veterans and more other people in various careers. Collection of data for this research is useful and vital as it can lead to various life improving findings. In order to have a credible career and work motivation plan, it is important that logical data is collected for the purposes of research. This article looks at the qualitative method of collecting pertinent data for PTSD cases, methods of managing it and software that can be used to extract viable information from the collected data. Ethical and professional considerations in the data collection procedures will also be spelt out. For the purposes of this article, NVivo will be taken in to consideration. Data Collection Method Various available ways can be used to collect data for PSTD case research. In this case, the qualitative technique of data collection will be considered. The main data collection method in this study will be qualitative. The essence of qualitative data collection is due to the nature of the study at hand. Dealing with PSTD cases will require direct relations with the victims in order to understand them well. Various applicable qualitative methods are focus groups, interviews, observations, and action research. This article will focus on two techniques that are mostly preferred for this research; interviewing and observations. In collection of quantitative data, one of the most applicable methods that will also be used in this case is key informant interview guide (Mantri 2009). In the use of this method, it is essential that the credibility of the collection tools for the data is put to test. Testing credibility of the tools is essential in the identification of probable difficulties in understanding of data, possible instances of ambiguity or even irrelevance in consideration with the objectives of the study. A pilot study is important in ensuring that the measures that are put in place are reliable. This occurs by comparing the pilot study results to the final results. Interviews are a very common, usable and accepted method of qualitative research. Interviews come in various forms ranging from structured, semi structured to open ones. In a qualitative study of the nature at hand, it is essential that the questions are less structured and also open ended. In order to successfully carry out the interviews, the researcher should try to establish rapport with the respondents to ascertain that they open up. A good tactic is asking question that require the respondents to answer freely. As a method of qualitative research, observations pose various issues. To begin with, the method is a viable and widely accepted method of data collection. Observation, in this case entails spending time with victims of PTSD and taking notes on what can be seen. Notes can be later used to determine how events that are observed can aid in latter data analysis. The method has its drawbacks too; the subjects from whom the data is being collected might tend to behave in an unusual mode, owing to the presence of a stranger taking on the data collection procedure. To avert this, it is necessary that the researcher gets accustomed to the subjects through time. It is imperative to note that the sampling process, piloting and actual data collection process will be preceded by relevant documentation and correspondence to relevant regulating authorities and the administration. All participants need to be assured of total confidentiality, anonymity and guaranteed that the findings of this research shall not cause them any professional or reputational harm whatsoever (Mantri 2009). Finally, the findings of this result should be used and disseminated exclusively for the stated purposes. Data Management: Describe how you will manage that data Data management includes the steps followed to enter, verify, validate and control the quality of data used in a data collection exercise. Management of research data is very responsible in every research project undertaken. In the undertaking of the investigation relating to PTSD, there are various issues pertinent to data management that should be looked into. The issues discussed in the following sections are essential in making sure that the research process is transparent and in accordance to professional requirements for data safety. A data management plan as well as a data management checklist should be developed. A data management checklist is completed for the purposes of the researcher having a vivid evaluation of his/her research needs. There are various questions that the researcher should put in place in order to manage such data; the type of data to be produced, the audience for the data and the manner in which it will be used, control measures and personnel, requirements for sharing, size of data to be generated, funding, tools to be used, naming conventions, file formats for storage of the data, security, privacy, documentation, and others. A data management plan describes plans for creation, organization, documentation, sharing and storage of the data. Data protection and its confidentiality are taken care of at this phase. A data management plan will help the research process to have a supportive framework. A good plan should illustrate the form of records to be collected, policies to be put in place, professional practices, and rights of access, responsibilities, reuse and value of the data. NVivo in data organization NVivo package is applied in qualitative data analysis, being a strong mechanism in analyzing highly semi structured data. The software has a rich property that aids in organization of unstructured data. It enhances the users with the ability to classify the data, sort it as well as arrange it in particular manner. With the help of this software, it is possible to examine relationships between the data. Considering the PTSD study, in this realm, the software will be highly important due to the semi-structured interviews under use. Using this software, it will be possible to test some theories or examine probable trends in the information. NVivo has the advantage of supporting various data formats, which are more or less used in the process of data collection. Such formats are videos, photos, PDFs, Word documents and more. The functional support of various formart allows the researcher to have various leeway in data collection making the process easy and diverse. The use of NVivo, a “computer aided qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS)” is essential in that it will enable the researchers to come up with an accurate data picture that is transparent. The software will also make it possible to audit the data the process of data analysis. Concerning PTSD research, NVivo will therefore be a very pertinent tool. Conclusion Data collection methods for career and work motivation research plan for PSTD sufferers’ research plan has been investigated. In the article, qualitative data collection methods that can be used in this research have been suggested. Observations and interviews as likely methods have been discussed in brief, showing the essence of each. On collection of the data, the importance of a credible data management mechanism has been looked into. Ethical considerations as well as professional practices, requisite for this nature of an undertaking has been looked at, as well. Data management has been put across as one of the critical steps in each research undertaking. In this regard, a computer aided mode of data management using NVivo has been discussed. NVivo is a rich CAQDAS tool, used for qualitative data analysis, which will be employed for analysis of the collected information. References Jones, M. (2007). “Using Software to Analyze Qualitative Data” Malysian journal of qualitative research 1(1): 64-76. Mantri, JK (2009). Research methodology on data envelopment analysis, Universal Press, Florida. Read More