Answer

Conducting Basic Research

This paper discusses the basics for conducting research. The paper is divided into two parts. Part A discusses the qualitative methods of data collections that would be appropriate for my research question. Part B presents my research question in the form of null and alternative hypothesis.

Part A: Qualitative Data Collection Methods

Question for the Discussion Post

What are the limitations associated with qualitative research methods?

Data Collection Methods for My Research Question

My research question is as follows:

• Do recently settled refugees to Tasmania Australia consider access to individual health care a right or a privilege?

The most appropriate qualitative data collection methods for my research question are interviews and focus groups. Interview involves a structured conversation or discussion where one party, who in this case is the researcher or interviewer, asks questions and the other party, who in this case is the participant or interviewee, provides answers (Hennink, Hutter, & Bailey, 2020). Interviews may take three forms including unstructured, semi-structured, and structured.  Unstructured interviews are not associated with a reflection of any preconceived ideas or theories and are executed with limited or no organisation (Hennink et al. 2020). Semi-structured interviews are associated with several primary queries that help in the definition of areas to be investigated or explored. This form of interview can also permit the researcher and participants to diverge with the aim of pursuing a response or idea in detail (Taylor, Bogdan, & DeVault, 2015; Lune & Berg, 2017). Structured interviews are, fundamentally, verbally administered questionnaires associated with a list of predetermine queries are asked, with limited or no variation, and without scope for follow-up queries to responses that necessitate further elaboration.

Focus groups are also considered a form of interview, but are conducted within a group discussion environment or setting. According to Moen & Middelthon (2015), focus groups constitute between eight and ten individuals. However, the focus group size may vary in relation to the requirements of researchers. In this data gathering technique, the researcher permits adequate space for participants to discuss an issue or topic within the context of study. Participants are permitted to either disagree or agree with one another’s comments (Queirós, Faria, & Almeida, 2017). The researcher then proceeds to analyze the opinion of participants about an issues and ideas discussed.

Part B: Null and Alternative hypothesis

Discussion Post Question

In what way or ways does the null hypothesis differ from the alternative hypothesis and which of the two hypothesis is appropriate to use for a quantitative study?

Null and Alternative Hypothesis

Harkiolakis (2017) defines hypothesis as a statement concerning the value associated with a population parameter. According to Walliman (2017), a hypothesis often employs sample data in determining whether to reject or accept the null hypothesis. The alternative and null hypotheses are two mutually distinct statements associated with a population.  The null hypothesis (H₀) holds that a parameter of population such as the standard deviation and the means among others equates to a hypothesized value (Bailey & Burch, 2017). The null hypothesis often serves as an initial claim founded on specialized knowledge or previous analyses. On the other hand, alternative hypothesis (H₁) holds that a parameter of population is different, greater, or smaller than the hypothesized value within the null hypothesis (Bailey & Burch, 2017). Walliman (2017) considers the alternative hypothesis what a researcher might hope to substantiated whether it is true or believes to be true. Alternative hypothesis can be two-sided or one-sided. Walliman (2017) asserts that a two-sided alternative hypothesis is employed in determining whether the parameter of the population is less than or greater than the hypothesized value. One-sided alternative hypothesis is employed in determining whether the parameter of a population differs from the hypothesized value within a given direction.

My research question is as follows: 

• Do recently settled refugees to Tasmania Australia consider access to individual health care a right or a privilege?

The null hypothesis developed from my research question will be as follows:

H₀Recently settled refugees to Tasmania Australia neither consider access to individual health a privilege nor a right

The alternative hypothesis developed from my research question will be as follows:

H₁: Recently settled refugees to Tasmania Australia consider access to individual health a privilege

H₂: Recently settled refugees to Tasmania Australia consider access to individual health a right

Conclusion

This paper has effectively discussed the basics for conducting research by focusing on qualitative techniques of data collections appropriate for my research question and converting my research question in the form of alternative and null hypotheses.