¶ … collect information for your research (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods)?

I will use a mixed methods approach. To allow me to sample a large number of parents regarding their choices about vaccination, I would use an initial quantitatively assessed survey, submitting questionnaires to a statistically diverse sample of parents inquiring about their children's immunization history and why they have made the choices they have regarding their child's immunization. I will also ask them questions about their children's health history regarding specific major and minor childhood illnesses. All information will be anonymous. However, to add more personal nuance to my research, I will also conduct qualitative interviews of several parents who have made different decisions about their children's immunization.

What statistical methods will be used to analyze the data? Why?

Given that the primary focus of the statistical research will be a comparison between two groups, ANOVA seems to be the most suitable instrument. "An ANOVA is an analysis of the variation present in an experiment. It is a test of the hypothesis that the variation in an experiment is no greater than that due to normal variation of individuals' characteristics and error in their measurement" (What is ANOVA, 2000, Washington State University). In this case, the two groups under analysis will be the variation between the exhibition of specific health conditions between the vaccinated and unvaccinated children.

What sample size will you use? Why?

This study will make use of "a purposive sample, also commonly called a judgmental sample, is one that is selected based on the knowledge of a population and the purpose of the study. The subjects are selected because of some characteristic" (Crossman 2013). In this case, the experimental group will be parents who do not vaccinate their children. The sampling size will be dependent upon the number of respondents I am able to find who do not vaccinate as the control group will be constructed to be demographically similar to the experimental group, except for the fact that they do vaccinate their children.

References

Crossman, A. (2013). Purposive sample. About.com. Retrieved from:

http://sociology.about.com/od/Types-of-Samples/a/Purposive-Sample.htm

Neutens, J.J., & Robinson, L. (2010). Research Techniques for the Health Sciences (4th ed.).

San Francisco: Benjamin Cummings

What is ANOVA? (2000). Washington State University. Retrieved from:

http://www.tfrec.wsu.edu/anova/basic.html