Descriptions and Examples of Four Research Methods Essay

Descriptions and Examples of Four Research Methods - Essay Example An example of content analysis as a research method is demonstrated in the work of Pfau, et al. (2005), in which they review the effect of the embedding of journalists in the military units involved in the invasion and occupation of Iraq on the tone and message displayed in television news reports. Content analysis was conducted of television news reports aired on four major networks (ABC, CBS, CNN and NBC), and the results were compared based on whether the coverage for each report depended upon embedded or non-embedded journalists. Pfau, et al. (2005), indicated that embedded news sources displayed an overall tone that was more favorable toward the military in general and depicted military personnel in a more favorable light. Embedded sources tended to use greater levels of episodic frames, eliciting more positive relational cues. By contrast, unilateral or non-embedded sources tended to minimize the use of episodic framing, and tended to depict the military as a whole, as well as individuals in the military, in a less positive tone. As an aside, the study also found uniform indications that the news stories of the initial invasion and early occupation were more positively reported and employed greater episodic framing than the stories about the Iraq occupation as it drew on. Shawver (2006) defines content analysis as a procedure that studies natural communications, usi... questioning, advising, informing, etc.) and in the tone and structure of the presentation. Multiple systems can be applied to the same data over time, as well, allowing additional analysis and investigation. A striking example of a longitudinal study can be found in the work of D'Angio et al. (2002), in the 15 year follow-up of children born severely premature and treated with surfactant therapy. An initial pool of 213 infants born at ages prior to 29 weeks of gestation across a three year time span (1985-87) had shrunk to a field of 132 of which 127 were evaluated cross a three year span (1992-95), and 126 were re-evaluated in 2000. At each point, the child's physical and mental conditions were evaluated as was the amount of neurodevelopmental compromise. D'Angio, et al., indicated that 21% of the 127 evaluated at primary school age showed symptoms of at least one severe disability, while 32% were placed in special needs classrooms and 19% showed general cognitive indices below 70. By the time of the secondary school-age follow-up evaluation 41% of the children had no physical or educational impairment, whereas 19% showed at least one severe disability. 15% of the children at both evaluation times were diagnosed with cerebral palsy. D'Angio, et al., concluded that even with surfactant therapy, children born prematurely remain at high risk for neurodevelopmental compromise and significant percentages of these children will require special educational services. Of added note is the fact that the strongest predictors of adverse outcomes related not to the gestational age at birth, but rather to socioeconomic status and presence of neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage. Keppel, Saufley and Tokunaga (1992) define a longitudinal study as a form of research

Construction Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Construction Technology - Essay Example The condensation’s risk is low with the roofs that do not have ventilations. If there exist any water pipes that go through the gap, then there might be a chance that they will freeze over. This is a problem that can be dealt with by insulating the pipes. Aside from the prevention of the ice dams, we find that the cold roofing is the best for the maintenance of the ceiling insulation of the building in a good condition. If the attic space is ventilated in a proper manner and the moisture inside is eliminated, a cold roof will greatly decrease the winter humidity that is within the building. If the weather becomes warm, we find that a cold roof will be important in making the building remain cool. With a cold roof, the temperature of the roof remains the same as that of the outside air. The cold roof helps in the prevention of the formation of the ice dams. These ice dams can always be a constant problem with the warm roofs. The formation of the ice dams is as a result of the m elting of the snow on the roof and consequent freezing on the overhang (Lstiburek, and Carmody, 2004). ... There is horizontal placing of insulation between the floor’s ceiling below and the attic joists. Any breaks or even spaces in the ceiling are sealed completely for the purposes of keeping the moist air out from the building. Then there is also the fitting of the roof rafters with an underlay of bitumen roof that air and moisture cannot get through. Ventilation is put in the gap between the insulation and the pitched rafters. The warm air that is inside moves up and escapes via the ventilations and the gag inside is filled up with the cold air outside. As a result, then temperature that is between the inside and the outside becomes equal, and there is some danger of condensation in these kinds of cold roofs. Interstitial is a major problem that occurs in the cold deck roofs in which the insulation is put between the joists that are found in the space above the ceiling. The insulation’s position implies that the roof deck together with a bigger part of its structure do n ot have adequate protection from the low temperatures that occur during the periods of winter (Lstiburek, and Carmody, 2004). These features than become quite older as compared to the building’s interior, and the air that has penetrated into the room below then condenses on the structure of the timber probable resulting to decay. When doing new work, the cold deck roofs are not the best and have in fact been banned in some countries such as Scotland. Q e. Suitable floor construction Simple spread footings The initial 900 to 1,200 clay layer can easily be moved as a result of shrinkage and expansion, and this depends on the amount of moisture available. Therefore, it is generally essential for the foundations to be