comps reading excerpt - Meaning in Method: The Rhetoric of Quantitative and Qualitative Research

1.Quantitative methods express the assumptions of a positivist paradigm which holds that behavior can be explained through objective facts. Design and instrumentation persuade by showing how bias and error are eliminated.

2.Qualitative methods express the assumptions of a phenomenological paradigm that there are multiple realities that are socially defined. Rich description persuades by showing that researcher was immersed in the setting and giving the reader enough detail to “make sense” of the situation.

3.Purists see there is a logical relationship between paradigm and methods; pragmatists see a more instrumental relationship between paradigm and methods.

4.relationship between method-type and paradigm

5.Difference between quantitative and qualitative methods in four analysis:
(1)Assumptions about the world: objective reality vs. socially constructed realities
(2)(research) purpose: explain causes of changes in social facts vs. understanding social phenomenon
(3)(research) approach: experimental or correlational design vs. ethnography
(4)Researcher role: detached vs. immersed

6.Two studies compared (quantitative vs. qualitative):
(1)overall conclusion: both of them provide complementary info to the readers
(2)Persuasion: by de-emphasizing individual judgment and stressing the use of established procedures vs. providing sufficient detailed depictions to show researchers’ conclusion “make sense”
(3)Assumption
a.variables versus actions
b.hydraulic determinism versus limits and opportunities
c.randomness and error versus choice
(4)Complementarity: When focused on the same issue, qualitative and quantitative studies can triangulate. Where studies using different methods have similar results, one can be more certain that the findings are not influenced by the methodology. Where the results diverge more research is needed; but comparison of studies can often suggest important lines of inquiry to pursue.

Swear to Quit Ugly Betty

Have been watching the American series Ugly Betty for the past several days and now am finishing the first season, being in the 12th episode of the 2nd season. I think I was so addicted to Ugly Betty that I forgot what I plan to do during my summer break. It's time to quit it. I know I can make it.

Apart from the quitting thing, I do think Ugly Betty is worth watching. A story about Betty, who is far from attractive a girl working for a fashion magazine, she is honest, sincere, enthusiastic, courageous, considerate, nice, loyal, and diligent for everything. This is a story about love, love about family members, friends, romance, and even the relationship in the working environment. It's also a story about hope, faith, and determoination. Don't assume Ugly Betty is a serious TV series because of those serious themes I mentioned, it's quite funny as well. I do like watching Ugly Betty for the past few days. In some way, I seem to see some commonalities between me and Betty. I, too, far from attractive and always lack confidence for myself, am actually diligent and nice, trying to be courageous and determined toward everything I make up my mind for. I think to some extent I was really inspired and encouraged and touched by Ugly Betty. Betty teaches me to stick to whatever I believe is correct and worthwhile, reminding me of having faith and being gratitude. Yes I know these are kind of cliche, yet they are really inspiring whenever you refresh yourself with these spirits.

I have to admit, though, watching Ugly Betty takes me so much time that I cannot do anything I plan for my summer break beforehand. So now it's time fore me to quit Ugly Betty. I appreciate everything Ugly Betty taught me, including those funny laughters and time I had when watching. With this posting I swear I will quit Ugly Betty right now and go back to my original plan for my summer break.

Here is Taiwan Day Carnival

August 3rd to me is another wonderful day as well, except I was a little bit exhausted (because I need to wake up at 7 AM, which I overslept for 30 minutes...XD), and except the political tendency is a little bit different from mine XD But overall, people there are quite friendly and nice, they actually did not mention our former Mr. President that much in public.

I was at the Bobolink Park since maybe 9:30 AM, arranging the chairs and later being the one selling the coupons for others. As their volunteers, we can have $10CAD from them to purchasing stuff there. They had roughly 20 something booths, most of which are food, as you can see from my picasa album. Since it is Taiwan Day Festival (or Carnival, whatever...), the food sold there are all traditional Taiwanese cuisines, such as Taiwanese meat ball, rice dumpling, cold noodles, various rice cakes, even the wheeled-shaped cake!!!!! You should know how I miss them!!!! Though I stayed there for over 7 hours, I was really happy and had a lot of the so-called "rewards." In addition to the $10CAD coupon that I used to buy rice dumplings, wheel-shaped cake, glutinous oil rice, and rice noodles, they also gave me some extra stuff, such as lunch box with pork spareribs, sugarcoated haws on a stick, vegetables, Starbucks coffee, kimchi, crackers, and sandwiches. I also took the free World Journal, on which I may be able to find some job opportunity. I even played hula hoop with little kids XD

Initially when I saw the yellow pin, out of curiosity I put it on my chest.After realizing it is for Mr. Chen, I took it off from my chest XD. We had some leaflet promoting their activities on our booth desk. Most people felt ok / nothing with the leaflet, yet I did encounter few people who came to our desk for buying coupons showed their disagreement on their face and even did not want to buy coupons when realizing what the leaflet is about XD Under such circumstance, What I can do was nothing but merely try to comfort them by saying that this is only for reference and you don't have to agree with that...XD I also told them that "see...I don't wear the pin either (smile XD)" This is really interesting experience to me haha...

Overall today is a wonderful day to me, though I needed to wake up early and worked as their activity volunteers, staying there for more than 7 hours. Actually I did know some volunteers did not stay as long as I did; yet, after all, I wasn't busy, thus I stayed there almost at the end of the whole activity, helping them to recover the site. By the way, I need to thank my U-Pass, the almost-omnipotent bus and skytrain ticket. With U-Pass, I don't have to pay any extra money for taking the bus and skytrain. The fee is completely covered in my tuition. I love it haha!!!

Here I am at Harrison Beach

Yesterday I went to Harrison Beach with James family, Yuki, and John. I really had a great time there!! The scenery is so beautiful that I almost want to come here whenever I have free time, haha. You can swim there, row your rubber boat, or just play with water. Of course you may choose to stay at the resort villa if you can afford as well,'cause the view is really awesome as well.

What I wore is the SFU pink T-shirt and black short pants, with my birkenstock, which, I think, is probably the most convenient shoes I ever had. I did bring my swimming suit, though; yet I was too lazy to change it. Anyways, merely playing with water is such a wonderful blessing to me already. I am content with what I can possess and experience.

I hope one day I can go to Harrison Beach with my beloved ones, Mom, Annie, or WTC. However, as I don't have a car, I think this is probably the so-called "mission impossible"...

Hey come on! I think we still can do something that meets our ability. Say, I actually can take you shopping at the Metrotown, or take the SeaBus to North Van, haha!

Tomorrow I'm going to the Taiwanese Festival. Hopefully I can meet some people who are nice and who can provide some job opportunity to me later when I graduate.

Here Comes My 2009 Summer Break

With the completion of the in-class research and learning object design, now here comes my first summer break since my arrival in Van last year.

Comparing with my previous two semesters, both of which were overwhelmed by three courses per semester, this semester is obviously less overwhelming to me. At least, I only took two courses this semester, and I don't have any part-time job, which I was disappointed with. Anyways, I lead a more relaxed and healthier life this semester. I really enjoy it.

I'm looking forward to my summer break, with some excitement and some anxiety at the same time. I have some fabulous schedules, going around to different places, having fun hanging around with people, and learning new things. Yet I have a very specific goal that I need to realize during this summer break, or maybe, more precisely, from summer break until the end of this November. It's my Comprehensive Exam. I finally decided to stick to my original admission, Master of Education, though I seemed to spend lots of time figuring this out. Yet I don't think it's a waste of time, 'cause it always takes some time to figure things out, especially when it is your future that you are exploring.

Regarding the comps, I make up mind that I will work on the assigned readings and English composition during this coming summer break. This is no easy task, for I know I am always a procrastinator. Yet it can be an easy task, as long as I am persistent and diligent enough. I know I CAN AND WILL MAKE IT.

Here's the list of what I'm going to do during my summer break:
1.preparing comps (reading & writing)
2.CLCS volunteering / having fun and going around
3.exercise (gym & swimming)
4.finding a job
5.MS Bike Tour Route Marshal Volunteer
6.Graduate Orientation Volunteer
7.English speaking and listening
8.AIESEC

Ready to begin, my summer break!

this is a test

to test what the default font in blogspot is.

So I Guess It's Crystal Clear

Time for making a decision.

Not a message, not a sentence, not even a word. Even I said I got a stomacheache. As you are emotionless to me, I will do the same thing to you. It may be hard, but I know it will not be that hard, as long as I determine to do so.

Don't blame me I don't give you enough time. I believe you know what I am saying and do remember what I am saying. Yes as I say you have the right to make no choice, which is also a choice, I will make my own choice now.

Nothing is contant. So now I change my mind and won't tell you what I plan these days. You shall know that's really discouraging. I will remove you from my plan and my mind, and you will not be the reason for me either to go back or to stay.

As you want to remain silent and pretend nothing happened, I will realize what you wish. No more bothering from me and you will be happy ever after. Disappearing, and then strangers.

Now I see five years is nothing more than lots of days passed by.

It's hard, yet I know I can quit everything and you. I can be independent, and I will let you regret what you did to me. I will not feel angry with you, for I won't be affcted by someone I don't care.

Falling apart, from now on.