A500.9.4.RB – Course Reflections

Richard Martinez

December 18, 2015

MSLD 500

                The course Leadership Foundations in Research was a major eye opener for me. It really opened my eyes in the critical thinking aspect. I have always thought that I had some basis of critical thinking due to my 28 years in the Army and being in several high leadership positions leading anywhere from around 30 to 380 Soldiers at any given time depending on my duty position at the time. But this course taught me a great deal about critical thinking. I was always an analytical thinker but never really thought about my own thinking to improve it. Another area that was very new to me was the SEE-I concept. SEE-I which stands for S: State it, E: Elaborate, E: Exemplify, I: Illustrate. Applying this concept to my critical thinking has allowed me to ask the right questions to get a clearer thoughts. I now find myself using it in almost everything I do now. The blog portion of the assignments was also very new to me. I have never been one to put my thoughts down on paper, I never had a journal or anything like that. The first couple of blog assignments did take me a little while to put my thoughts to paper but I found that I became very interested in writing down my thoughts. My wife has been trying to get me to write a book about my 28 years in the Army and I never knew how to go about it. This blog has given me several ideas and options now.

                There were two areas within the learning and assignments that I did have difficulty with. The first was the Concept Map. I have a basic and I mean basic idea of how the program for the concept map works. I feel that this is something that should have a separate block of instruction on rather that the students learning on their own. This was by far one of the hardest assignments and it was reflected in my grades in the first three assignments. I have been improving my knowledge of the concept maps and what’s needed for each assignment. The second area that showed some difficulty is the ePortfolio. There has been no instruction on the use of this online tool. It has been one big trial and error for me in setting mine up. I believe that that in the future classes there should be some form of instruction on the concept map and ePortfolio online tools used in this course. Especially since they will be used throughout the Leadership Master’s degree program.

                Over all I am very pleased and really did enjoy this course of instruction. I felt it was very beneficial to me and my future in the Master’s Degree in Leadership program. The action research project was very informative to me even though I have a background in Research through the Army. It showed me another side of research that I feel enhances my current abilities. I now understand and feel that it is very valuable to complete this course before moving on to any other course in this degree program. I think that this course has set me up with keys skill sets that will allow me to do very well in the future course that I need to take to complete my Master’s Degree in Leadership.

A500.8.2.RB – Good Presentation Design

Richard Martinez

December 9, 2015

MSLD 500

            Based on my background in the U.S. Army my thought process on a good presentation design will most likely be very different than most individuals. PowerPoint presentations were a daily routine for me in the military specifically the last twelve years while I served in various senior leadership positions. In the Army the purpose of most presentations was to deliver a vast amount of information to senior leaders. Some presentations were done for training Solders on a specific topic. For the most part they conveyed information to a group of individuals. So with the amount of information being presented sometimes it was very difficult to have a well-designed presentation. In these presentations we used photos, graphics, charts, and text in bullet format. We would apply transitions from slide to slide and even incorporate video as well. But based on our learning this week on good presentation design the military presentations that we did would most likely be considered poor designs. The most important thing for us was to present the information and most of the time the slide format was given to us by our higher headquarter. Only specific emblems were changed depending on who you were briefing. So basically if you were briefing your next higher headquarters you would put their Unit emblems on the slides and not yours.

            Not all slides in the military were designed to present an abundance of information. We did some presentation to be used as a training devise for our soldiers on many different subjects. On these presentations we had more freedom to create a good presentation design. When creating a good presentation design there are a few key things that you want to keep in mind. First what is the purpose of your presentation what are going to be the key topics and what are you expecting from your audience? You have to be able to present all your key information in the allotted time frame. Plan your presentation out first on a dry erase board or pen and paper. This gives you an idea of what your presentation will look like. This is referred to as “analog mode.” If it’s possible include stories that can help you explain complicated ideas. The stories must underscore the point of your information in your presentation. Keep your text to a minimum on your slides and even have no test at all on some slides. The slides act to support the narration which is the presenter. It’s also a good point to not read word for word from the slide. Keeping your slides simple is also part of the good design. Many people tend to make slides that are too busy and that can be very confusing and distracting. Avoid Microsoft templates, clip art, or cartoonish line art and use high quality graphics and photos to enhance your presentation. Limit one idea per slide if possible unless side by side comparison is called for.

            When designing your slide presentation there are four key elements to incorporate into you design. These are Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity. Contrast shows the differences in the slides and is done through the manipulation of space through color choices, text selection, and the positioning of the elements on the slide.  By applying these four elements will greatly enhance your presentation. The end state is to design a well-balanced presentation that keeps your audience focused on you and the information that you are presenting.

A500.7.3.GA – Quantitative Research Reflection

Richard Martinez

December 3, 2015

MSLD 500

            In my last blog I discussed Qualitative Research and summarized the main elements. In this blog entry I will be discussing Quantitative Research its main elements as well as advantages and disadvantages. Quantitative Research is defined as research that is centered on scientific approaches and produces data that looks to form relationships between two or more variables and uses statistical methods to exam the connections. This research aims at explanation and answers primarily to why. Quantitative research will test hypotheses, it will look at cause and effect and it will make predictions.

            The group studied in quantitative research is usually larger that in qualitative research and its more focused on numbers and statistics. Quantitative research data will identify statistical relationships and objectivity is critical. There are several strengths and weaknesses associated with quantitative research. There are four primary strengths associated with quantitative research. The first is that it permits the research and explanation of social structures and methods that are not directly observable. It is also well-suited for quantitative description and comparisons between groups and areas. Another strength is that it describes changes. The last strength is the analysis and explanation of casual dependencies between social phenomena. A disadvantage or weakness of quantitative research is that it is only applicable for measurable or quantifiable data. Another disadvantage is it presumes relatively extensive information on the subject matter to be able to ask the right questions. Quantitative research produces a static view of the reality and is difficult to study processes or dynamic data. And the final primary weakness is that quantitative research does not have a full description of the participant’s perspectives or intentions and meanings.

            The research process consists of multiple steps beginning with your research idea. From here you must conduct a literature review and then a theoretical formulation of the research problem. From here we move to the next step which is the empirical research questions. Next is the research design or planning which may include experimental design, longitudinal design, cross-sectional design, and case study design. The next step is that data collection. Data collection can be completed by a questionnaire, structured interview, unstructured interview, observation, participant observation, document analysis, and unobtrusive measures. Each of these data collection methods can be used in all four of the research designs. After data collection then data must then be analyzed. From here the next step is to answer the empirical research questions and then the theoretical interpretation of the results. After that the next step is the comparison with earlier research and then finally your conclusions.

            Quantitative research tends to only generate proved or unproven results and there is very little room for grey areas or uncertainty. This form of research is usually time consuming and can be expensive especially if the design has to be adjusted and the research retested. Quantitative research is also seen as unbiased.

A500.6.3.RB – Qualitative Research

11 November 2015

Richard Martinez       

MSLD 500

            In the world of research there are many different forms or ways to conduct your research. Today I will be talking about Qualitative Research. Strauss and Corbin stated that qualitative research, broadly defined, means “any kind of research that produces findings not arrived at by means of statistical procedures or other means of qualification.” Qualitative research is designed to gain a deeper understanding of your specific research and not just a surface description. It is often referred to as field research or ethnomethodology. It’s a way to understand things from first-hand experience and uses observation method to collect data.

            Qualitative research is different than quantitative research in that Qualitative research uses a naturalistic approach to research. Quantitative research methods are set before the observation begins and states which observation methods will be used. In qualitative research the research methods suggest the type of observation that may be used and the type of data collected. In qualitative research analysis begins as soon as the data is collected but in quantitative research analysis begins when observation ends. It breaks down to quantitative research is observations then analysis and qualitative research is observations then analysis the observations then analysis then observations then analysis. Qualitative research looks deeper into your subject and continues to do that.

            Qualitative research has eight main elements, the first being that it uses a natural setting for the source of data and the research tries to observe and describe then interpret things as they are. The second element is the researcher is the human element in the data collection. Inductive data analysis is the mainly used for qualitative research in the third element. The fourth is the incorporating expressive language and the presence of voice in the text and descriptive reports. The fifth element is that qualitative research is interpretive and designed to discover the meaning events have for the individuals and how the researcher interprets those meanings. The next element the researcher looks for the uniqueness of each case and pays attention to the distinctive as well as the persistent. The seventh element talks about how qualitative research has an evolving design and the researchers focus on this process and the outcomes or product of the research. The last element is the special criteria used to judge qualitative research.

            There are however some issues or problems that can be associated with qualitative research. It is very time consuming and has masses of data to transcribe which is difficult to code. It is not valid to widely circulated social settings and it is generally only a case study with limited applicability to other conditions. Qualitative research usually gives minimal level data, it’s difficult to measure and it is also challenging to control for researcher bias.

A500.5.3.RB – Critical Thinking About Critical Thinking

11 November 2015

Richard Martinez

MSLD 500

            As I was reflecting on the current state of my critical thinking I have noticed a change in how I was thinking and think about things in general. I now maintain a disposition that is open to change. My thinking has become very organized and purposeful. Before I didn’t evaluate all the evidence or do any deliberate exploration and investigating. These are just a few of the new process that I am now doing in my critical thinking. I feel that it has become easier for me to make the connections between things that I am thinking about. I have always been the type of person who asked questions when I did my thinking but I feel that now I am asking better questions and more of them. My reasoning has improved and I consciously see that I am utilizing the elements and standards of reasoning. I hope that this is something that stays with me as I move forward in this Master of Science in Leadership program and in my daily life.

            Another area of improvement for me is being able to internalize some of the techniques and concepts that were taught in this course so far. I have noticed that I am now raising vital questions to problems and have been able to formulate them clearly and precisely. I am communicating more effectively as well as my thinking has become more open minded. I am trying to apply the SEE-I (State, Elaborate, Exemplify, and Illustrate) process in everything that I do. I haven’t mastered it yet but I have noticed a change in things. I am still working on trying to improve the SEE-I process as I apply it to my critical thinking.

            To make lasting and positive changes in the way I think I need to continue to apply what I have learned in my critical thinking. As with anything the more you do something the better you become at it. It’s no different with my critical thinking. I now have a better understanding of what I need to do to improve my critical thinking. The more I continue to apply critical thinking concepts the more natural it will become for me. With the improvements in my critical thinking I have notice that my writing has improved a great deal. Based on my background in the military I have always been the person who asked a lot of questions about things and was always very observant. Even my wife has noticed a big difference in me and has seen a difference in our conversations with each other. Ultimately I want to continue to improve my critical thinking as well as my reasoning and as I continue to do it more and more then it will eventually become second nature for me. 

A500.4.3.RB – Ballet Slippers or Adorable?

11 November 2015

Richard Martinez

MSLD 500

                I found the TED video by Dr. Sheena Lyengar on the art of choosing to be very interesting and eye opening for me. In this video Dr. Lyengar discusses three assumptions that Americans believe when it comes to making choices. The three assumptions referenced are make your own choices, more options leads to better choices, and never say no to choice.

                In the first assumption Dr. Lyengar assumes that Americans believe in the ability to make your own choices. I would have to agree with this statement. In her example in the video the American children the American children did better when they were able to choose where as the Asian children did much better when someone choose for them. American children are taught at a young age to be make choices on their own. I believe there is less influence from our parents and elders when it comes to making choices. Asian children made choices that were influenced by their parents or elders. Dr. Lyengar stated that the American children treated choice as a private and self-defining act where the Asian children did it for the collective and to impress self and others. It is a mistake for us as Americans to believe that everyone thinks like we do.

                In the second assumption, it is assumed that Americans believe that more options leads to better choices. I can directly relate to the example that Dr. Lyengar gives in the video. Having lived in Europe for some 14 years while I served in the U.S. Army. Her example was how Americans and Europeans look at multiple choices (seven cans of soda). We as Americans would see this as seven choices and that we could have the pick of the litter of sodas. However the Europeans see it as just one choice and that choice is soda. Europeans see all the different brands of soda as one choice. When living in Europe and went to a restaurant you would ask for a coke and you would usually get whatever they had and it would be just one soda flavor Coke or Pepsi. In the U.S. we would get 10 different flavors of Coke, diet Coke, caffeine free Coke and so on. Having to many choices can become to consuming and overwhelming. Having to many choices in life can also lead to having poorer choices.

                Never say no to choice is the third assumption given by DR. Lyengar. In her example in the video Dr. Lyengar asked would you prefer to make the choice to end someone’s life or would you prefer the doctor make the choice. Americans choose to make the choice even though a year later we would still be negative about it. The French preferred that the doctor make the choice and they were not as negative about it a year later. Knowing this the Americans were asked again would they make the same choice and they said yes. I strongly feel that we as Americans given the abundance of choices look at them as control over things in our life and we are not will to part with that control.

                I do agree with Dr. Lyengar. I feel that we are taught at a very young age to be individuals and faced with an overabundance of choices early on in our life. This can lead us to make poorer choices in everything we do including leadership. We have to have balance in our decision making. 

A500.3.4.RB - Explore the Hunt Library

A500.3.4.RB – Explore the Hunt Library

4 November 2015

Richard Martinez

MSLD 500

           

When you explore the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) Hunt Library you can find a wealth of information in almost any subject area. As a worldwide student with ERAU I am strictly limited to just use the internet to gain access to the Hunt library. With that being said I still have access to all the Hunt library has to offer, even interaction with a librarian. I am able to email a librarian or I can use online chat or call a librarian during operational ours as late at midnight eastern standard time. This becomes a primary resource for me in my studies.   

During my studies for my Masters in Leadership at ERAU I can utilize the Hunt library 24 hours a day seven days a week for research. It allows me to access articles and databases, research guides, videos, and books. I can even have books sent to me to use then return them back to the Hunt library. I am able to search in each of the mediums discussed or I can do a general search for a subject using the EAGLE Search option. One useful tool is that I can find answers to frequently asked questions by asking a question or using a keyword. Most of these resources are considered scholarly in nature.

Most resources are considered scholarly or popular. There are key things that make a resource scholarly. They are publications written by experts for experts in a particular field of study. These resources will always cite all source material used and are subject to peer to peer review.  When peer to peer review is used this will check the validity of its claims and its accuracy. Scholarly publications wish to primarily advance knowledge in a specific field and can incorporate years of research. The individual writing the publication is a specialist in the subject and is almost always a scholar who has scholarly credentials and degrees, and is associated with institutions of higher learning.

Popular sources are more informal in its tone and scope and relies heavily on the work of others. Its research is done by rapidly digesting the content and then gives the public a brief explanation. Its primary goal is to entertain us and make money in the process. Popular sources utilize large amounts of illustrations and is widely available to the public. Most can be found on the internet and is cheaper to acquire than scholarly publications. Popular sources can be professionally edited but are rarely peer to peer reviewed. Individuals with basic literacy skills can understand most popular sources. As your research is being conducted you need to pay special attention to your source material. Some popular source materials are not good for using as research material for schoolwork and writing papers. Always ensure that your material is credited and lists the author as well as has the sources cited.