-500 words minimum, respond to the copied post below
-must include 3 scholarly sources
-must include 1 biblical integration relating to the topic
-must identify 1 strength and 1 weakness in classmates response
Jared Loftis
Research Design
The Ohio lottery identified the need for research to be conducted with the intent being to reveal information on current lottery players and non-players. To conduct this research, the Ohio lottery contracted Marcus Thomas LLC, who then partnered with MRSI. Together Marcus Thomas and MRSI decided to utilize a special variant of a survey, known as metaphor elicitation technique (MET), to conduct the research. To select participants for the MET, the agencies used an electronic pre-survey. This pre-survey was designed to identify those that would be the best candidates for the MET survey. The agencies then conducted the MET survey with the selected participants from the pre-survey. Surveys as a research design provide researchers with an excellent means of collecting in depth data for a low cost (Siedlecki et al., 2015). Surveys do have some disadvantages related to their design; however, these can be accounted for with the proper measures. One disadvantage is that it may be hard to keep the participants’ attention for an extended period of time. One way to mitigate this problem is to vary question design to include the use of images. Varying question design will help to prevent the survey from feeling repetitive or boring. Another disadvantage is that is can be difficult to establish rapport with the participant. To combat this disadvantage, training researchers and rehearsing scripts will help researchers to establish the needed rapport.
MET Process
The MET process is an in-depth multi-phase process that seeks to gain information from the participant. Prior to arriving at the interview, the participant is asked to bring pictures that can be used to show their feelings towards the desired topic. Prior to conducting the in-person portion of the MET process, it may be beneficial to give participants a refresher course on metaphors and how making comparisons works (Wan, 2011). This refresher course may help participants to more accurately make comparisons when participating in the study. In the next phase of the process, the interviewer discusses the images that the participant brought in to find what feeling or emotions that piece of media elicits in the participant. During this phase, the interviewer is seeking to learn as much as possible about the participant and the images they selected. During the second phase of the MET process, the interviewer probes the participant to find out if there were any more images that they wanted to bring but were unable to source. The third phase of the MET process involves grouping the images into sets of three and attempting to find themes or concepts that relate the images, specifically in regards to how they relate to the topic of study. The fourth phase of the survey is when the participant identifies the most important image and how they relate to this image. Interviewers use a series of probing questions to encourage the participant to fully consider how the image represents their feelings towards the topic. The fifth phase of the MET interview is when the participant is asked to rank their feelings in order of importance. During the sixth and final phase of the process, the participant creates a collage of the images. When the participant has completed the collage, the interviewer asks them to tell them the story and meaning of the collage.
Measurement Scales
In the sample question provided in the case study, the researchers utilized a Likert scale. The Likert scale has a long history of being a versatile measurement scale that can be used by researchers (Norman, 2010). The researchers had difficulty when creating the questions about attitude towards the lottery, and the importance of the lottery. These questions are difficult to formulate as they can be difficult for participants to answer. The lottery is viewed as a fun activity and the most common importance of the lottery is the potential to win. Many of the players of the lottery know that the odds of winning are extremely low, however this does not discourage them from playing. Many of the players enjoy the rush from buying a lottery ticket, as it has the potential to provide a life changing reward. Many people who purchase lottery tickets enjoy the activity of dreaming about the possibilities of changes and improvements they could make to their life if they won.
Quantitative Instrument
Based on exhibit 12-2, the measurement instrument would have many qualities. First, the instrument would seek to establish rapport with the participant by using elements that are not for data collection. Next, the instrument would record administrative questions such as participant personal information and credentials. The third area of focus would be the primary questions the instrument will use for data collection. The final area is the questions that the instrument uses to classify the participant in order to achieve a better understanding of the participants’ motivations and background. Instruments help us to better research a topic as they provide us with a map of how to gather information (Renate et al., 2010).
Survey Questions
One measure the researchers took to ensure participants were reading and answering questions was to place in certain questions whose answers would indicate attention. Some questions were placed into the survey that had questions that the participant could select that were not options in real life. This was done to ensure that participants were reading and fully comprehending questions and not just rushing through the survey. This is similar to the use of filter questions and they both have the intent of changing the rest of the research process (Ckamn et al., 2014). The use of questions in this nature helps researchers to eliminate participants who will not complete the survey with full effort. One disadvantage to this is that if the participants realize that the question has a response that is unreasonable, they may begin to question the validity of the survey and the knowledge of the researchers. This would cause damage to the credibility of the researcher and can make it difficult to establish rapport with the participant.
MET Discussion Guide
The MET discussion guide provides detailed information to the researcher on how to conduct an MET interview. Guides help researchers with data collection and ensure consistency throughout the study (Molleri, et al., 2020). The MET discussion guide provides a detailed explanation about the task of the researcher, how each stage of the survey should be conducted, topics that must be discussed for ethical reasons, establishing rapport, the use of pictures in the MET, as well as how to seek more in-depth information about participant responses. These elements of the discussion guide help researchers to focus their efforts on consistent and precise data collection.
