Qualitative Research : Intelligence for College Students

This book is written for college students and focuses on qualitative research. Reading about a problem may be good (a literature review), but learning how to investigate the problem yourself is better. Research is a systematic process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting information in order to better understand the subject of study. All research involves theory, data collection, and attempts to solve a problem by answering a question. A quantitative research study indicates how variables are numerically related and may be used to determine the method of operandi and to make predictions based on confidence levels; however, a qualitative study indicates why variables are related and may be used to determine motives. In either case, by manipulating the independent variables, the dependent variables may be effectively managed. This book presents information on qualitative research and provides a comprehensive qualitative research study.

Wayne L. Davis holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, a Master of Science in Business Administration from Madonna University, and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Capella University. Dr. Davis has graduated from city, state, and federal law enforcement academies and has over twenty years of law enforcement experience with city, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Currently, Dr. Davis is a doctoral dissertation committee member and teaches graduate-level criminal justice courses at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee.

Ann-Marie C. Buchanan currently works at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, as an assistant professor in the Department of Social Work. She teaches Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Social Welfare Policy, Social Welfare History, and Orientation to Practice, Family Caregiving & Social Justice and Diversity. Dr. Buchanan received her BSW from Oakwood University, her MSW from The University of Central Florida, and her Ph.D. from Capella University. She has taught a plethora of social work classes.