Hi,

I got feedback from a journal reviewer about some cross tabulations I did in a paper I wrote from my PhD research (which I completed 2 years ago). I did a mixed method exploratory study (interviews followed by a survey). My sampling method was non probability for the survey.

The reviewer commented on the analysis of the survey data that I did using cross tabulations in SPSS. The reviewer wrote;
“The 'crosstab' analysis should be supported by p values to show strength of correlations.”

I included the cross tabulations graphics only in the paper.

When I look back at my data analysis I cannot see any p values and there must have been a sound reason why I did not do this (as I spend weeks deciding on what statistical tests stats to do based on the data I had). For the life of me, however, I cannot remember why there are no p values now. Instead of spending another few weeks reading up on it all again I am hoping there might be a stats expert on here that might know the answer immediately?

The reason I used cross-tabulations because I wanted to do multivariate analysis. The cross tabulations were done to examine the relationship between categorical variables in greater detail than frequencies for individual variables.

All help welcome!
Anna.

Thanks for your response! At last, some good advice :)

Hi,

I am doing a mixed method study (sequential exploratory study). The first part of the study was the qualitative element (interviews). The output from this phase was a number of themes, which I developed into a conceptual model. This model contains a number of independent variables and one dependent variable (the variables were based on the themes from the interviews).

This model was investigated in the quantitative (survey) part of the research. My sampling technique was non-probability. I am currently doing the analysis of my survey data. As my sampling technique was non-probability, am I right in assuming that I cannot do any inferential statistic, just descriptive statistics (frequencies, statistics, cross tabulations)? From what I have read, there are no statistical tests I can do either, as the sample is non-probability.

Am I correct in the above assumptions? The reason I am concerned about this is that my supervisor told me to do “a statistical test” on my data. When I asked him what test, he said “any test, if you do a survey, you have to some test...just put some test in”. As I am the one who has to defend my work, I want to be able to defend my choice that I do not have any stat test in as it is not suitable for my data test (i.e. my data set does not meet the assumption of a stat test that the sample is random).

Any help from someone out there could give me would be great, thank you!!

A.

Hi,

I am doing Mixed-methods research. I have completed the first phase (interviews) and I am now moving on to the final phase - the survey. This is where I have hit a wall and need some help.

The companies that I need to survey are not in a specific population (e.g. cat food manufacturers). The companies I am interesting in across a variety of industries. They do not have any trade organisations for example that represent them exclusively. I have been compiling a list of companies that manufacture the type of products I am interesting in (and the basis of my PhD) since I started my research.

I want to make my survey as valid as possible but how do I define a population when I do not know what it is? I have done a fair amount of reading on the topic and I think my approach will be Purposive sampling. If this is the case can I just email my survey to specific personnel in the companies that I have identified and then be able to defend my approach?

All advice welcome:)

A.

Hi,

I have had a paper accepted for publication at a conference. It is based on part of my PhD work. I was wondering could I redo the paper and submit it to a journal for publication simultaneously? I would change the journal paper so it would not be a carbon copy of the conference paper. The reason for doing this is that my research committee believe journal papers hold more weight that conference papers. I do agree with them but I believe it would benefit me personally to present at this conference also.

Has anyone else had this dilemma and if so what did you do?

A.

Hi,

I am just about to embark on the quantitative phase of my PHD. I started with a qualitative phase (interviews). I was wondering does anyone have any tips they could pass on to me, if they have already gone down this route?

Cheers,
F.
:-)

Hi,

I am thinking of trying to get published in the journal Research Policy. Has anyone on here got published in it?

Cheers,
A.

Hi,

I have to do a survey as part of my research. My survey will be completed by people working in the Medical Technology sector. I want my survey to look extremely professional and slick. I am in the process of trying to decide which survey tool to use. Someone recently told me to use surveygizmo. I had never heard of it before. Has anyone experience of this tool? I have used Survey Monkey before. Has anyone used both products and would like to share their experiences?

A.

Hi,

I need to do a Poster (the topic my PhD research to date) a for a conference and I need a template that I could use. Would any of you guys out there like to share a template with me, please? I am not a Graphic Designer so any suggestions on how to make an high impact poster would be much appreciated! :-)

A.

Hi,

What software did you use for your web based Web-based questionnaires? I have heard of an open source software package called LimeSurvey which can be used to develop on-line questionnaires. Has anyone used this one? If so, what is your opinion of it?

A.

======= Date Modified 15 Dec 2010 10:47:57 =======
Hi,

I have to conduct a survey as part of my PhD. I am trying to get a high response rate for my survey. I have come up with an idea regarding an approach I could take to get my surveys completed by the relevant people. I was wondering if anyone else has taken the same approach. There will be a trade event next year that is focused on my PhD area. I was thinking of seeing if I could use this event to get my survey completed by individuals attending the event. Has anyone taken this approach when conducting surveys? If so, how did it work out for you? My PhD is in the Medical Technology area.

A.

Hi,

I will be doing surveys and interviews as part of my PhD and someone told me that I should use NVivo to analyse the data. I am just staring developing my survey instrument, protocol etc. I was wondering if any one has any NVivo? Is it easy to use ? Should I get training on NVivo first before I start developing my survey instrument/protocol?

A.

Hi, I have a dilemma.

I want to submit a Poster for a conference that will be held in March next year. I must submit an abstract addressing the headings, objectives, methods, results and conclusions. The abstract must be submitted next week. The problem is I have no “actual” results yet. I have just entered by second year of my PhD. I have completed a literature review. I hope to have results by February next year. Any suggestions how I could write an abstract without any results?

A.
:-)

Hi,

What is the best/quickest way to ref. a website in EndNote? Is there any "automatic" way of downloading a web site reference into EndNote?

A.

Hi,

When exactly do you use footnotes in your writing? Is there are guidelines that anyone could share with me? E.g. use footnote when term refereed to does not directly relate to your research topic.

My PhD is in the life sciences.

A.