results, review of interview feedback and review of previously published material (Mertler & Charles, 2005).
The data gathered for the qualitative portion of this project focuses on descriptions, analyses and statements of experience in past encounters with potential OS. As a result the tendency would be to identify the qualitative method as historical research. In a way it is since the participants were asked to relate their experiences of the past 6 months. The element that was included in this survey which makes it non-historical is the element of opinion. Historical methods are an accumulation of facts whereas the descriptive data which was garnered includes the element of opinion which changes the classification of this survey to a qualitative description of facts (EDU670: Unit 3, n.d.).
Quantitative research has numerical data as its primary focus. Most quantitative methods do not allow room for opinions. There are three kinds that do allow for opinions they are; action, content analysis and evaluation research. This research can not be classified as action research since its focus is to advance circumstances inside a specific situation and that is not the case in this project. This research also can not be classified as content analysis since there are no documents or texts being reviewed and analyzed (EDU670: Unit 3, n.d.). The data gathered for the quantitative portion of this project focuses on the opinions of the sources more than anything numerically concrete. As a result it is best classified as evaluation research.
Most criticisms of reliability involve the reliability of subject testing. These can be extrapolated to the surveys that have been conducted here. A review of 3 major