Back to the drawing board...

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Shawn Ambrose, Mar 20, 2011.

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  1. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    Well, Armed Forces and Society rejected my journal attempt. While many things were noted (all fixable) - the fatal flaw from both reviewers was my sample size...n = 16. Never mind it was qualitative interviewing, but both reviewers raked me over the coals in a scholarly way...

    I'm going to work on this over the summer, but the next stop is probably The Qualitative Report and give it a go...

    Shawn
     
  2. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    I'm sorry to hear that. Can you do some more research, increase the size and submit again?
     
  3. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    No, because I would have to go through the entire IRB process, approval with the Wisconsin Army National Guard, etc. Would take months. Better to take the editors suggestions (they wanted more on my methodology which I trimmed to make the 25 page limit, along with bringing my lit review up to date, since the soldiers I interviewed went in 2003 - 04 to Iraq. Those things I can do. I won't be constrained by a 25 page limit either since The Qualitative Report is an e-journal.

    Shawn
     
  4. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    Shawn,

    We can chat about other journals that may be appropriate for your article and would be more favorable to a qualitative study.
     
  5. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    Was there some particular reason you didn't go with at least n=30? Just curious.
     
  6. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    Is this is the eternal "parametric vs. non-parametric statistics" rearing its head again? In many situations, a sample of 16 can be dealt with rigorously with non-parametrics, such as the Pearson Chi Square test. Of course there will be reviewers out there who reject any use of non-parametrics, but I like to think they are in the minority. Good luck working through this annoying situation.

    Chi-square test - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
     
  7. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    Let me see if I can answer some questions...

    Why not 30? While 30 is the magic number for quanitative research, there is not a "magic number" for qualitative research. For interviews, the literature suggests that 20 interviews is optimal, but not necessary.

    I interviewed soldiers who left the National Guard after they deployed to Iraq in 2004. I worked with one unit because I was able to get access to the population. The unit sent my invitation to participate to the home of record on the discharge order, so about 20% were returned due to bad addresses. We originally had over 20 agree to particpate, but a few decided not to. After counsulting with the chair and going back to the qualitative research literature, we ended data collection at 16.

    For data analysis, other than very simple descriptive statistics, I used Nivivo8 software, working with a Nivivo8 certified trainer to ensure accurate analysis.

    While The Qualitative Report appears to be an journal that meets my needs, I am open to suggestions. I am going to wait until summer though; since too many things are happening in my life right now.

    Hope this clarifys issues for everyone...

    Shawn
     
  8. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    Some people/journals just don't like qualitative research for whatever reason. FWIW, a classmate of mine for his dissertation conducted interviews. His sample size was 8.
     
  9. RoscoeB

    RoscoeB Senior Member

    Sorry to hear this, Shawn.

    Good luck as you seek out another journal.

    Roscoe
     
  10. mrmarcus

    mrmarcus New Member

    Shawn,

    Don't be discouraged. Sometimes it takes doing things again and again to finally achieve your goal. All you can do is stay educated, try again, and stay positive.

    Good luck.

    Dave
     
  11. RoscoeB

    RoscoeB Senior Member

    A couple of years back, when one of my articles was rejected by the top journal in my field, I moved down the list of journals I had, and submitted the article to a smaller peer-reviewed journal. It was accepted.

    Roscoe
     
  12. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    Yea, that's what I plan to do, but it's going to wait until Summer Break. Too many things going on right now.

    Shawn
     

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