MSLD500_Activity 8.3_Blog_Good Presentation Design_Wathen_Sandra

MSLD500_Activity 8.3_Blog_Good Presentation Design_Wathen_Sandra

Using some of the effective methods described below can guide you to developing a powerful and striking presentation…

One of the first things to keep in might is to keep it simple, yet to the point, when putting your presentation planning together.

Create the story and make it convincing and be passionate in your delivery; keeping the audience in mind - relevant to something they can relate.   Deliver the experience using the keep it simple approach with less abstract and fewer words.  Finally, refine and rehearse your presentation, which means practice and improve content and delivery.  In addition to the effective methods of a presentation, there are also basic principles for the presentation design with respect to contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity.  A good presentation requires using all the techniques not just the good design.

You must be able to answer the questions to yourself.  Is my presentation well organized?  Does it tell the story?  Is it convincing using passion in delivery to audience?  Does it have the audience in mind as the recipients of the story?  Is it something the audience can relate to?  Is it presented in its most simplistic method/approach?  Was it practiced and rehearsed prior to delivery?  Was the proper media/multi-media method used? Was the delivery method striking and/or powerful?  Was the person delivering the presentation using proper eye contact and body language?

It is also important to remember that human’s process information in a systematic way.  How they receive your presentation will be based on how you present it.  You can lose your audience or you can captivate them, it will be up to you…

So let’s get back to the specifics of a good presentation design which has four basic elements:  contrast, repetition, alignment and proximity. 

Ø  Contrast aids the presentation to get the point across quickly to the audience.  It is also known to add energy to the presentation by using different colors, textures, bolding, using different spacing, and so on, which makes certain points you are making different from the rest.

Ø  Repetition provides for consistency in the design of your presentation.  This consistency should be subtle as to not take away from the overall message of the slides.  It basically gives the slides a similar look throughout the entire presentation.      

Ø  Alignment gives the presentation a “clean look” and provides for a professional appearance.  There should be a visual connection of everything on your slides.  Grids are a good example of using a method to ensure your presentation is in alignment.

Ø  Proximity is how the items are grouped on your presentation.  It is what draws your attention to areas of the slides.  These can be items such as graphics, captions, special text blocks and how they are related to the rest of the slide.  This can be interpretation of groups or groupings that seem to belong to one another based on their proximity.

So what does all this mean?  It means that your presentation design is the communication method you will use to captivate and make your point across to your audience.  How you develop your presentation will be how it will be remembered by those that it is presented to.  Why not take the time to put a powerful presentation together that will always be remembered by the audience and one that will leave a lasting impression of you; the presenter!

MSLD500_Activity 7.3_Blog_Quantitative Research Reflection_Wathen_Sandra

MSLD500_Activity 7.3_Blog_Quantitative Research Reflection_Wathen_Sandra

What is being investigated?   How it is being investigated?

But the big question is - Why?  That is what Quantitative Research helps you to answer.

Research Idea*Literature Review*Theoretical Formulation*Empirical Research*Research Design

Data Collection*Data Analysis*Answering the Questions*Theoretical Interpretations*Comparison*Conclusions

Theories*Deductive Reasoning*Hypothesis*Observations*Induction*Empirical Generalizations

Understanding the main elements of quantitative research…

First decide what is being investigated and then how it is being investigated – exam the problem, develop hypothesis, research the questions and concerns and determine how it will be set into a working plan for study.  This will set the foundation for investigation for the What in the Research Design.  It involves decisions and these decisions will provide many aspects for the researcher to consider such as the methods for data collection and focus of sources for researching the problem(s) and determining the problem.  It also assists with narrowing in on finding the highlight or sources of the problem.

When conducting research it is important to understand that there are some important types of research which are Theoretical, Empirical and Scientific (which is a combination of dialogue between both Theoretical and Empirical types).  Theoretical research focuses on data that has been previously researched whereas Empirical research focuses on a problem of reality that requires research to obtain data through a systematic method.  In essence, most research includes both the theoretical and empirical types are involved in most research efforts.  Each method has its own theory of approach to research.

In summary, select the theme and learn as much about the existing data available from previous research.  Also learn as much as you can about what is not known about the subject.  The theme can be any topic of interest such as personal, something of social significance, or maybe even something that may be of theoretical interest.  Always ask yourself when conducting the research as to who this research will serve so that you can maintain focus on the purpose.  Pick the method of approach to use in the study so that you can start specificity into the problem to be researched and start the concept process of the study based on the method type.  Once you start planning the research process you must focus on the research as to ensure that you are using the most suitable methods of researching the problems and the plan for how to obtain the data to ensure that the data can be measured to provide the evidence in answering the initial question.  It is important to select the right data and method to use for answering the research questions since the questions of research is the foundation for the design.

There are many different types of research designs and the selection of the right design is dependent on what type of design and methods of data collection are planned to be used.  Examples are experimental design, cross-sectional design, case study design, etc. with methods of data collection to include questionnaires, observations, document analysis, and so on.    It is also important to understand the data sampling process; such as, Universe, Population, Original Sampling, and Final Sample.  It is also important to be aware of the potentials of risks in sampling errors.  There are many methods of samplings such as; Probability versus Purposive, Simple Random, Systematic Selection, Stratified, Clustered and Quota.  Dependent on when and how used, these methods will allow you to determine a definite level of confidence from the population sampled.

Once you have the basic understanding you are ready to proceed with your Quantitative Research!

MSLD500_Activity_6.3_Blog_Qualitative Research_Wathen_Sandra

MSLD500_Activity_6.3_Blog_Qualitative Research_Wathen_Sandra

This blog is to provide insight supporting the definition of qualitative research and summarization of the main elements of qualitative research.

Problem Identification*Hypothesis*Data Research*Data Analysis*Documented Results

Observe*Write*Analyze*Conclude

Sampling & Selection*Researcher Roles*Data Collection*Data Analysis*References

Qualitative Research in summary is to identify a problem, make a hypothesis, obtain the essential data, analyze the data and write-up the results; while continuously observing, writing, analyzing and drawing conclusions of the data.  Conducting qualitative research is an iterative process.

So to dig a little deeper on the subject… when conducting qualitative research, you must keep the perspective broad early in the beginning while you are gathering the data.  It is often described as using the funnel approach.   Basically, wide or open in the beginning then gradually narrow down at the end.   Meaning that your research will be very broad in the beginning, capturing as much information as possible then as the study progresses the narrowing of the focus will naturally follow. 

Part of the process that may soon to follow will be the start of conducting open ended interviews which is the beginning of narrowing that focus and capturing the data to produce the theory.  Be patient, as it takes time to conduct good qualitative research for a typical qualitative study.

As you are writing, the hypothesis can emerge and sometimes change.   In fact, multiple hypotheses can be possible.  Eventually, you will get to the data saturation point where you will feel like you cannot take any more information – often feeling overloaded or overwhelmed.   Believe it or not, this is a good thing.  You want as much information as you can get so that you can analyze and filter it while obtaining conclusions.   It is recommended to use multiple researchers in a study and give your self sufficient and equal time for data collection and analysis.  Toward the end of the study, expect to have increased data analysis.  Make sure you take and retain personal notes, field notes, method notes, theories and categories as you are collection the data, they will be used later to support your study.   Also, monitor your own experience – not only in the reason on context, but also in other areas of life at the time.  That way you are considering all perspectives.

Formal analysis will normally near the end of the study.  During that time you will be developing the conclusion based on your qualitative and/or quantitative methods and dependent on your purpose or goal of the research - will start to determine conclusions.  Ultimately to then provide the most optimum way forward as a result of the research study.

Helpful Hints: 

Remember that humility is good for development of good research.  Since qualitative research is subjective in the sense you are trying to represent the subjective experience of someone else. 

You cannot use the results for re-use in other settings since the generalization normally rests upon the method of sampling. 

Also, qualitative research is two-fold in that it is a task of the reader and the researcher.  Generalization can also be possible by comparing different contexts and finding what activities and perspectives are common across multiple and varied contexts.

Sampling and Selection is important.  Not all of your sampling will be 100%; however you must consider and review the vast amount of information. 

Again, it is a reiterative process of observing, quantifying, analyzing (sometimes statistically), and drawing conclusions. 

It often can be chaotic just for the simple fact that human experience can sometimes be confusing; so expect some challenges due to human involvement. 

You can also expect unexpected results and that is not always bad.  Simply because presumptions can change once you really start digging in to the information. 

It doesn’t hurt to map or draw the environment out.  Observations are worth mapping even though sometimes you may decide mapping is not necessary.  So at least evaluate to determine if mapping is a good path to choose.

It is important to be sensitive to the environment so that people are comforting and in a mutual friendly environment. 

For the role of the researcher, one must remember that they are the expert and are playing the role of the qualitative research who doesn’t know the answers and seeking out to peers for advice or insight. 

The analytical induction is a process of testing and revising hypothesis. 

MSLD500_Activity 5.3_Blog_Critical Thinking_Wathen_Sandra

MSLD500_Activity 5.3_Blog_Critical Thinking_Wathen_Sandra

This is my blog to reflect on the current state of my critical thinking competencies.  Considering how my thinking processes have changed from the time I have started the course.

My thinking processes have changed significantly from the time I started this course.  One might ask, “How have they changed?”  They have changed in the fact that I have started the transition process of how I think through the application of the techniques and concepts that I have learned from this course. 

I have been able to internalize on them through making them part of my every day thinking.  I try to think about what I am thinking; reason what I am thinking.  I also try to incorporate the SEEI methodology and the elements of the thinking process on a routine basis – wherever and whenever possible; both professionally and personally. 

I have already seen positive results from implementing what I have learned.  Recently, I was interviewed for a Senior Program Manager position.  During my interview, I was trying to apply the critical thinking techniques and concepts in how I was addressing the questions, as well as, how I perceived the questions being addressed to me.  I feel that I was able to participate in the interview differently than previous interviews.  This time, I asked them questions, tried to get their views so that I could assess the information from a critical thinking perspective and provide a reasonable response to subsequent questions asked.

I am only half way through the course and it has already made a lasting and positive change in the way I think.  I am expecting that the remaining parts of this course will only add even more value and insight to additional techniques and concepts that I can apply in my future critical thinking.

Although I consider myself reasonably knowledgeable and that I seem to make good, sound, intuitive decisions – I now realize that I have been missing some important components of my critical thinking process.  I was missing the techniques and concepts that need to be routinely applied in order to think in a more structured and positive way; yielding higher results.  Basically, implement an educated and more “scholarly” approach to my critical thinking.

Without understanding the application of the techniques and concepts of critical thinking would be like building a house without its foundation!  You may have a roof over your head, you may have all the necessities, but sooner or later it may come tumbling down since it wasn’t made with the right framework of design.  Just like critical thinking needs to be used as the design framework for a leader; otherwise the same may come true.