Write a response to each discussion

Sperry 7.4

There are several categories of standardized scores. Researchers will commonly use Z, T, Stanine and scaled scores. These scores can be very helpful to researcher in their analysis raw scores. Provided within this paper is an overview and an example of each.

 Z-scores help us relate the data to the mean, whether the data is below or above the mean. If a z-score is 0, then the score is identical to the mean score. Furthermore, z-scores can be both positive and negative. Another reason researchers find z-scores so they can compare data sets. One way a z-score can be used is determine a company’s financial stability (Boyte, 2015).

T-scores are commonly used in behavioral, personality and clinical research and test development. T-score is similar to z-scores because of distribution of the score, with t-scores the distribution is 50 and the mean is 0 (Eford, 2015). One way of using t-scores is when representing benchmark scores. In this example, the t-score would eliminate the natural variations between survey questions and provide a way to determine whether scores that are high or low (Unknown, 2017).

Stanine is a system that divides the normal curve into nine equidistant segments, giving it the nickname “standard nine” (Eford, 2015). This score is used to indicate performance on a psychological or educational test. Some may prefer to use stanines scores, as they convert test scores into a single digit. One use of the stanine score is when teachers need to explain test scores to parents: 1-3 is performing below average, a score of 4-6 is average performance and a score of 7-9 is above average performance (Eissenberg & Rudner, 1988).

Scaled scores are commonly used in intelligence, achievement and perceptual reports, scaled score will have a mean of 10 and a SD of 3 (Eford, 2015). The best example to use would be if you are comparing two students who took two completely different test. Let’s say student A took a more challenging test then student B, but got a lower score of 62%. Student B’s test was much easier and he got an 85%. The teacher would then use the scaled score to determine a fair comparison of the two students’ scores.

Wittmeier 7.4

Standardized scores including z-scores, t-scores, stanine (standard nine), and scaled scores are used in research. However, each standardized score is different from each other. For instance, the mean of a z-score is zero and the standard deviation is one. On the other hand, the mean of a t-score is fifty and the standard deviation is ten. The stanine score or standard nine consists of nine equally distant segments while having a mean of five and the standard deviation of two. The mean of a scaled score is ten and the standard deviation is three. (Erford, B.T., 2015, pp. 264-266). An example as to where you might use each of the four standardized scores is listed below.

·         Z-Scores: Kylee is in high school and just received her test results from finals in her History class. Kylee received an 80% on the test and has asked the teacher how well she did when compared to the fifty peers in her class. The teacher would be able to utilize the z-score in determining the percentage that Kylee ranked higher and lower in from the 80% score from the final.

·         T-Scores: Jeremy would like to know more about his personality and personality characteristics. By using a t-score, Jeremy can understand the strengths and weaknesses of his personality and personality characteristics compared to others who have taken the personality test.

·         Stanine Scores: Maggie’s parents David and Jane are reviewing her test results that were required to every student at the end of the year. Using a stanine score, David and Jane can view the nine segments and see what areas Maggie is excelling in and needs to work on when compared to the other students who had taken the same standardized test.

·         Scaled Scores: Bethany is required to take an exam with a passing score of 400. A scaled score is used in this exam, because it provides the ability to be compared to other exams and the scoring of the exam is easier to comprehend.

Write a response to each discussion

Wittmeier 6.2

There are many diverse ways to collect data in counseling research. (Erford, 2015, p. 229). Two methods of collecting data that I will describe are known as interviews and questionnaires, surveys, and rating scales.

Interviews consist of multiple participants involving the collection of data through phone interviews, face to face meetings, and face to face interviews. One strength of interviews is how they can be structured, semi-structured, or unstructured. When an interview is structured, the interviewer asks the same question in order provided the ability for the data to be coded, quantified, and analyzed easier. When an interview is semi-structured, participants can expand and explore upon different responses. When an interview is unstructured, there are basic questions which in return provide the ability for the participants to explore deeper in the responses chosen. (Erford, 2015, pp. 229-230). Other strengths of interviews in collecting data include cost effective, rapid data collection, and importance defined by the participants. A few weaknesses of interviews are that this form of collecting data produces limited quantitative data, the accuracy is limited and difficult to specify, and has the possibility to be difficult when analyzing and summarizing discoveries. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, 2017).

Questionnaires, surveys, and rating scales consist of the researcher asking open and/or closed ended questions. The questionnaires, surveys, and rating scales involve the collection of data through instruments with paper and pencil and electronic administration via the internet. (Erford, 2015, p. 230). The strengths of surveys include being reliable, valid, generates quantitative data, and can be highly accurate. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, 2017). Two weaknesses of this method of data collection is nonresponse bias (incomplete and/or non-return of instrument) and literacy skills for an understanding and ability to complete instruments. (Erford, 2015, p. 230).

Interview Example: Benjamin works at a finance company and is wanting to hire an individual to work as a bookkeeper. He has four applicants for the job position, but he is having a challenging time choosing the best candidate. Benjamin decides to form a structured interview that consists of five questions that he will ask each of the four applicants in the same order. Benjamin will be able to gather the ten answers from each of the four applicants and conclude which applicant stands out among the rest. By using a structured interview, Benjamin has reduced bias and can interpret the outcome easier.

Sperry 6.2

                With all research methods there are flaws, there may never be the foolproof design. However, there are plenty of methods that exist to help minimize errors. The best practice for collecting your data is to first take into count your population and the data needed from this population. After these considerations are made some survey types may be ruled out. The two types I will cover are ranking and likert surveys.

                I am fond of the ranking style survey for a few reasons. First, it makes the participants slow down and compare the product/service against one another. For example, Instead of asking the customer do you like this brand more than most, instead the survey wants to know who in order the participant values more. However, with this particular survey there are weaknesses to consider. One weakness of this survey style is it can become time consuming for the researcher, especially if there is missing data (Eford, 2015).

The likert scale survey is similar in style to the ranking survey in the sense that if forces the participant to analyze their thoughts/feelings about a particular item, person or service more in depth when compared to other surveys, but likert also has it’s weakness. When the survey doesn’t provide a neutral response, participants are forced to decide more negative or positive towards the topic. Some researchers argue that weakness of the likert scale to be the optimal number of response (Eford, 2015).

                There are many methods of collecting data, and these examples provide insight to surveying. Participants are usually accommodating to this particular method. Researchers most often can analyze the surveys in a quick manor. As counselors we will be interviewing our clients, but applying these methods when needed.

Include responses to the following prompting questions in your paper, and reflect upon what you have learned about personality this week:What are the key themes of each theory?
What are the personality components of each theory?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of each theory?
Provide both personal examples and research citations to support your answer. The paper, written in APA format, must include a minimum of 2 scholarly sources.
Imagine that you have been asked by the head of your company to participate as a member of a panel. You will discuss ways to interact more effectively with coworkers of differing personalities. The panel will be presenting their ideas and leading a discussion on this topic at an upcoming conference. As a panel participant, you are asked to identify the ways that environment, culture, biology, and temperament may influence individuals and their interactions with others in the workplace. You will prepare a written paper that supports your panel discussion. The paper will include the most relevant points that you want to share at the conference.
Understanding Personality: Define your understanding of personality characteristics and the unique cultural, biological, environmental, behavioral, and psychological impacts that shape individual personalities.
Personality Theories: Explain the major personality theories (i.e., psychoanalytic, neo-analytic, trait, biological, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, and existential).
Applications and Recommendations: Include a synthesis of the research, readings, and study in this course, and provide applications for interacting more effectively with coworkers of differing personalities.
The assignment should be written in APA format (including the cover page and reference page). The Key Assignment draft must include a minimum of 6 scholarly sources.
Need by 4-30-16

Write a response to each discussion post.

Sperry 10.2

COLLAPSE

              The Pearson correlation is to summarize the relationship between two variables as a single number, and the coefficient of determination indicates what proportion of the variance in one of the variables is associated with the variance in the other variable. For example, I state coat sales increase with dropping temperatures. To prove this I would gather data on sales and temperatures for those days. Next, I would plot this information and would see that the linear relationship is strong. Then I would calculate the Pearson correlation and the coefficient of determination (Erford, 2015).

                Linear regression tries to explain the relationship between the two variables by fitting the linear equation into observed data. The linear regression tells the strength of the effect that the independent variable have on the dependent variable. It can also be used to make predictions. Take my example of coat sales, due to global warming coat sales will slowly decrease (Erford, 2015).

                Partial correlation measures association between two variables, while at the same time it controls the effects of a third variable. For example, in April there is always a spike in sales when the average temperature is 42 degrees, because the third controlled variable would the end of season sales. The Semipartial correlation removes the effects of additional variables from one of the variables that were included.

Pomajzl 10.2

COLLAPSE

The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient summarizes the relationship between two variables as a single number. It is able to take values with a positive “r” indicating a positive linear relationship and values with a negative “r” indicating a negative linear relationship (Erford, p. 363). The decimal indicated the strength of the relationship, meaning the closer the absolute value of “r” to 1, the stronger the correlation is (Erford, p. 363). The easiest way to explain this and determine this is using a scatterplot. The closer the plots are to creating a straight line determines the indication of a stronger relationship. 

The coefficient of determination is the square of the correlation coefficient, which indicates the ratio of the modification in one of the variables, is associated with the modification of the other variable. (Erford, p. 371).

The linear relationship between two variables can be used to predict the value between two variables (Erford, p. 375). For example, if the amount of x is used to predict the amount of y, then the amount of y is used to predict the amount of x. They rely on each other.

The elements of linear regression are the slope and intercept. The slope tells the steepness and the intercept is the predicted value of the regression line.

Partial correlation is when the effect of a third variable is removed (Erford, p. 375). Partial correlation only occurs when two variables are correlated because of the third variable in which they are both linked.

A semipartial correlation occurs when three variables have an effect on one another in some form or way however, it may not be direction. For example, ‘x’, ‘y’, ‘z’ are all in the same study. However ‘x’ and ‘y’ correlate and ‘x’ and ‘z’ correlation but, ‘y’ and ‘z’ are partialled out because they do not coordinate with one another (Erford, p. 381).

Partial correlation and semi partial correlation are similar because they both contain three variables and the one of the variables is removed in some form whether it be completely removed or just partially removed with two variables, which do not coordinate.

Part 1 is to evaluate the powerpoint that has been attached and the Part 2 has been added below. Thank You….

Part 1…..

Due by Day 1.  Post your PowerPoint presentation from Week Four’s assignment, “Leadership and Management,” as an attachment.  Enter the topic or title of your PowerPoint into the subject line and body of your post.  Your instructor will assign a classmate with whom you will exchange PowerPoint evaluations for your second post due by Day 3.  

Due by Day 3.  Evaluate the PowerPoint presentation of your assigned classmate.  Your evaluation should address the following:

1. What was the biggest take-away from your classmate’s presentation?
2. What was something new that you learned from your classmate’s presentation?
3. Ask at least one question regarding the content of the presentation (unrelated to style or mechanics).
4. Offer at least one suggestion for content improvement.  Be sure to support your suggestion by referring to either course materials or outside reading.

Part 2…

 Guided Response.  Review the evaluation provided by your classmate.  Address the question and suggestions pertaining to your presentation.  How might these suggestions improve your presentation?  What are your thoughts on the course materials or outside reading provided by your peer?

Mark as UnreadRE: Leadership and ManagementVictoria Amidon Email this Author9/14/2016 8:35:22 PM

1. What was the biggest take-away from your classmate’s presentation?
2. What was something new that you learned from your classmate’s presentation?
3. Ask at least one question regarding the content of the presentation (unrelated to style or mechanics).
4. Offer at least one suggestion for content improvement.  Be sure to support your suggestion by referring to either course materials or outside reading.

Hello Mary, 

biggest take-away

After viewing the PowerPoint, it was clear that this center places a high value on the staff. There is a definite focus on working as a team and seeking out help when needed. I would surmise that the director of this center understands the importance of creating a positive environment where the employees can learn and grow.

 Somethin new: 

Although it is not something that I did not already know, I was reminded by the presentation that the monthly meetings could be used for training hours. The staff members can have a lot of information to share with each other from the various individual training courses they have taken. Utilizing the monthly meeting for the exchange of information that staff members have learned is wise. I have always felt that there is something beneficial and useful which can be taken away from every training.

 Content question:

1.      How do you go about keeping the staff mentally and physically prepared for their work?

2.      The monthly meetings are conducted as a whole group; how do you use effective communication with individual staff members? Are there scheduled meetings which are one-on-one?

Content improvement suggestion:

Perhaps the information provided could be more specific. There were a lot of great ideas, but many of them were vague. For example, instead of saying you want the staff to feel comfortable and supported, state how you will do that. Gadzikowski (2013) noted that many early childhood workers do not receive adequate breaks or planning time which leads to high stress and a significant turn-over rate. Maybe you could provide these to employees as a means of assuring their comfort and support. Providing examples of what is done at your center to foster the ideas which support your philosophy, vision, and mission creates a clear picture of what employees can expect while employed at the center. The staff of your center should be confident in knowing precisely what you expect from them and what they can expect from you in return.

References

Gadzikowski, A.  (2013).  Administration of early childhood education programs.  San Diego,

            CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.