CHAPTER OVERVIEW
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The Format of a Research Proposal
Being Neat
Evaluating the Studies You Read
Planning the Actual Research
THE FORMAT OF A RESEARCH
PROPOSAL
• Introduction
• A (brief) review of the relevant
literature
• Method
• Proposed analysis of the data
• Results of the data
• Implications and limitations
• Appendices
INTRODUCTION
A. The problem statement
B. A rationale for the research
Statement of the research objectives
C. Hypothesis
D. Definition of terms
E. Summary
LITERATURE REVIEW
A. The importance of the question asked
B. The current status of the topic
C. The relationship between the
literature and problem statement
D. Summary
METHOD
A. Participants
B. Research design
C. Data collection plans
1. Operational definitions
2. Reliability and validity of instruments
3. Results of pilot studies
D. Proposed analysis of data
E. Results of data
IMPLICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS
APPENDICES
A. Copies of instruments that will be
used
B. Results of pilot studies
C. IRB application and letter of approval
D. Participant approval form
E. Time line
NEATNESS
• Follow APA guidelines
EVALUATING THE STUDIES YOU
READ
• Understand the literature you read
• Critically evaluate the studies you read
CRITERIA FOR JUDGING A
RESEARCH STUDY
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The review of previous research
The problem and the purpose
The hypothesis
The method
The sample
Results and discussion
References
General comments about the report
PLANNING THE ACTUAL RESEARCH
• What activities must be completed?
• How much time will it take to complete
each step?
SELECTING A DEPENDENT VARIABLE
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Try to use proven measures
Ensure that the measure is valid
Ensure that the measure is reliable
Consider what training you might need in order to
use the measure
Be sure the test is available to you
If norms are needed, be sure they are available
Obtain the most recent version of the test
Be sure that the test is appropriate for the age group
you intend to sample
Read any reviews of the test that are available
REVIEWING A TEST
If you use a test
• If you use a test to measure the dependent
variable
• Review and evaluate the test on these criteria
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Basic information
General test information
Design and appearance
Reliability
Validity
Norms
Evaluation
SELECTING A SAMPLE
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Others may also be seeking participants
Think about whether group membership poses a problem
Know exactly how you intend to approach your participants
Clearly identify the population from which you intend to sample
The size of your sample depends on the type of research you
are doing
• Consider both validity and reliability
• Consider how much money you can spend
• The number of variables and groups you study affects required
sample size
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
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HAVE YOU
1. Developed a data collection form?
2. Specified appropriate descriptive statistics
for your data?
3. Identified what other demographic
information you will need?
4. Collected and analyzed pilot data?
SELECTING AN INFERENTIAL
STATISTIC
• Using a flow chart like figure 8.3 can be
useful for common analyses
• But there is no substitute for a good
statistics course
PROTECTING HUMAN SUBJECTS
• Institutional Review Board (IRB)
• Informed consent