Running head: DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS

Design and Data Analysis

Texas A&M University-Commerce
Hunter Clarke Somerville

DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS

Research Design and Procedures

This research study will use a mixed-methods design approach to gain a better
understanding of adults with learning disabilities. This research design will look at assistive
technologies that are being used to help adults with learning disabilities in higher education and
workplace settings. The QUAN-Qual method of research will be utilized to gather the data for
this research project.
Quantitative data will be gathered to assess how adults with learning disabilities are
functioning in higher education and in the workplace. Quantitative data collection will include
demographics, success rates, employment rates, and use of assistive technologies.
Qualitative data will include interviews and observations of adults at work and school.
Qualitative data will research how adults are coping with learning disabilities and to what extent
they are using assistive technologies. Qualitative data observations will include those that
identify with a learning disability and also observe those that do not identify with a learning
disability.
Population
The population for this study will include all adults that identify as having learning a
disability. Target populations will be gathered through general emails asking for participation in
the research study. Populations will be derived from a specific higher education institution of
substantial size and indicates a significant percentage of students with learning disabilities. A coexisting research study will identify a business or manufacturing facility with more than 100
employees. Employees will be asked to participate in a research study about adults with learning
disabilities.

DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS

Data Analysis
The data analysis will begin with the quantitative data being analyzed first and separately
from the qualitative data. The quantitative data will first look at demographics such as age,
gender, marital status, race, and whether they identify with or without a learning disability. From
the higher education institution, data from GPAs, graduation rates, length of time to graduate,
how many students drop out, and overall rank in class will be analyzed. From the business or
manufacturing facility, data from attendance, timeliness to work, completion of work duties,
number of sick days taken per year, and number of places of employment will be analyzed. Cross
analysis of age groups will be looked at separately and then combined to find themes in how
adults with or without learning disabilities cope in school or work places.
Qualitative data collected will look at responses to specific questions by those identifying
with learning disabilities. The data will be used to either verify or disprove the themes found in
the quantitative data. Resulting scenarios or recurring themes may warrant more study
participants or indicate that another study be conducted. This study will show how respondents
react to using assistive technologies or would like to utilize technology to be more successful in
school and work.