Respond to the four discussion posts below.
1. Julie
Describe what it means to live “inside out.”
When you live your life from the inside out, you make decisions and take actions based on your own inner values and beliefs, rather than being affected by what other people think or what you believe is required of you. Additionally, when you live from the inside out, you are in touch with your inner self, and as a result, you are more likely to make decisions that are in accordance with the desires that are genuine to you. Because you are living in line with your own ideas and values, it may lead to a life that is more meaningful and enjoyable for you.
Once you allow yourself to get engrossed in the expectations of others, it is not uncommon to lose sight of what it is that you really want in life. On the other hand, when you have a firm grasp on your own principles and convictions, it is much simpler to remain loyal to who you are and make decisions that are in accordance with your own requirements and preferences.
If you want to live from the inside out, you need to have the courage to stand up for what you believe in, even if it is not popular or simple to do so. Living a life that is genuine and true to who you are is something that is worth the effort, despite the fact that it may be difficult to remain loyal to who you are in a society that is full of pressure to conform.
2. Jazmine
Describe what it means to live “inside out.”
-Living inside out means that we are fully capable of living with a clear sense of our purpose. As Christians, living inside out means that living against the norm of the world and following the path that God wants us to follow. It is living based on our belief in God and not easily influenced by wordly things. It is living in righteousness, the way God intended us to do. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,” (Bible gateway passage: 1 corinthians 6:19, n.d.). The spirit of God lives within us, so therefore, we should be living a life where constantly seek His guidance and surrounding ourselves with good people who will support us and encourage us to live a righteous life.
References:
Bible gateway passage: 1 corinthians 6:19 – new living translation. Bible Gateway. (n.d.-b). https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+6%3A19&version=NLT
Qualitative & Quantitative Methods:
3. Ashley
Methods that bring about qualitative data are used extensively in research and can be combined with experimental methods (Exploring Qualitative Methods, 2005). What I learned about qualitative research is that this method is typically used to measure concepts that quantitative research usually cannot measure. Qualitative research is collecting and analyzing data that is not numerical (Fournier, 2023). At times, researchers want to go deeper into a topic, looking into the how and why of something, and that is where using qualitative research works better. With quantitative research, the focus can be on the collecting of data. Qualitative research tends to hear people’s stories and points of view more using interviews, pictures, art, and more to make sense of human behavior and experiences and their meaning. It can be more of a face-to-face and personable execution than just collecting surveys or questionnaires for data. It focuses on the immeasurable, focusing on the quality of a situation or person rather than the number it can provide. However, qualitative data can be translated into quantitative data (Exploring Qualitative Methods, 2005). It allows the human perspective to develop the theory. It is subjective and is used to develop versus test theories. It explores patterns (Fournier, 2023). The results of qualitative research are not meant to be copied (Exploring Qualitative Methods, 2005).
Qualitative research helped to inform my proposal because it can be helpful in determining what flexibility means to people. Furthermore, it could help me delve deeper into productivity and what it looks like for different people. Many people, even with much time and flexibility, find productivity difficult. Qualitative data could be useful in discovering the why. I plan to utilize quantitative data in my research proposal since I aim to measure and not explain situations. I do not intend to consider human universals in my research. I would be more inclined to utilize qualitative data if so.
I plan to use what I have learned to help me decide when qualitative and quantitative research design is more appropriate. If I want my results to be replicated and objective, it is best to use quantitative, not qualitative, data (Exploring Qualitative Methods, 2005). If I want to take a broader versus narrow approach, it is best to utilize qualitative data. If I want to answer “what” and do not plan to dig deeper into the “why” and “how,” then I should use quantitative data. If I would like to explore patterns and themes versus statistical relationships, it is more appropriate to utilize qualitative data versus quantitative data (Fournier, 2023).
Some questions I have regarding qualitative data are: Are there times when it is possible to mix both quantitative and qualitative data in research? What are some examples of quality qualitative data questions in research? Is it possible to make qualitative data scientific? How do you limit the researcher’s perspectives and experiences getting in the way of how they determine the data or information received?
1. Response to Julie
Absolutely, Julie! Living “inside out” means prioritizing your own values and beliefs when making decisions. It’s about acting authentically and aligning your actions with your inner compass. Here’s an analogy: imagine yourself as a house. When you live inside out, you’re furnishing the interior based on your taste, not external pressures. This can lead to a more fulfilling life because you’re not chasing other people’s expectations.
However, it does require courage. Sticking to your principles can be hard when faced with societal norms or peer pressure. But the reward is immense: living a life true to yourself.
2. Response to Jazmine
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Jazmine! Your definition of living “inside out” from a Christian viewpoint resonates with the general concept. It emphasizes aligning your actions with your faith and seeking guidance from God. It’s about living righteously and surrounding yourself with positive influences.
The Bible verse you shared from 1 Corinthians 6:19 beautifully reinforces this idea. It reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we should strive to live accordingly.
3. Response to Ashley
Great summary of qualitative research, Ashley! You’re right, it’s a powerful tool for exploring concepts beyond numbers. Qualitative methods delve into the “why” and “how” through interviews, observations, and analysis of non-numerical data. It allows us to understand human experiences and perspectives in a more holistic way.
Your point about qualitative research informing your proposal on flexibility is spot on. It can help uncover what flexibility means to different people and delve deeper into productivity. Quantitative data will then be valuable for measuring aspects of flexibility in your research.
Here are some answers to your questions:
Mixing Qualitative and Quantitative Data: Yes, combining these methods (mixed methods research) is quite common. It provides a more comprehensive picture by offering both the “what” (quantitative) and the “why/how” (qualitative).
Quality Qualitative Questions: Strong qualitative questions are open-ended and encourage rich descriptions. Examples include “What are your experiences with X?” or “Can you describe your feelings about Y?”
Scientific Qualitative Data: While qualitative data isn’t numerical, it can be rigorous and scientific. Researchers employ systematic methods for data collection and analysis to ensure credibility and trustworthiness.
Limiting Researcher Bias: Researchers acknowledge their own biases and take steps to mitigate them. Techniques like member checking (verifying findings with participants) and triangulation (using multiple data sources) can help reduce bias.