PSYC B6: Research Methods
Professor Lora Larkin
Final Proposal
Course Goals
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
 Articulate factors involved in using the scientific method to study behavioral and
social phenomena
 Formulate testable research hypotheses based on operational definitions
 Describe the strengths and limitations of various research designs
 Analyze, interpret, and report statistical research findings using professional
standards
The goal of this final exercise is to incorporate these course goals into a capstone
project, highlighting your understanding and ability to apply the steps involved in
research to propose your own research project.
Before you begin, calendar the following from your syllabus/outline:
 Intro/Lit Review
DUE_______
 Methods
DUE_______
 Draft/Feedback
DUE _______
 Final Draft
DUE _______
 Pres/Questions
DUE _______
Research Proposal Overview:
Your final project paper will be a research proposal, written in future tense, not past
tense, of how you plan to conduct your research since you will NOT actually collect the data
in this short time period. I’ve included detailed instructions, a basic content outline, and a
grading rubric (also located on my website). To further assist you in the research process, you
will also participate in giving and receiving peer feedback and meet individually for an instructor
conference (see syllabus/outline for schedule). Finally, you will share a brief verbal summary of
your proposal to your classmates and engage in a critical thinking discussion at the end of the
semester as you would at a professional conference.
Research Proposal Evaluation:
Assignments are based on percentages rather than points (this is what is meant by
weighted points). In other words, for a 20-point assignment, 20 points=100%, 16 points=80%,
15 points=75% and so on. Receiving a 100% on an assignment indicates that you have
included all the necessary content requirements and presented your work neatly with
proofreading for grammatical mistakes. Your work will also be based on your overall effort and
response to the assignment. The less evidence you’ve provided as required, the lower your
overall score. I think you’ve got the right idea 
Intro/Lit Review
Methods
Draft/ Feedback
Final Draft
_____/20 points
_____/20 points
_____/20 points
_____/70 points
Pres/ Questions
_____/20 points
_____150 points total/ 40% of semester grade
Introduction/Literature Review Instructions:
An integrated introduction and literature review contains these five points: a) an
introduction of the problem area, b) an explanation of its importance, c) an overview of
the relevant literature, d) an explanation of how the current study will advance
knowledge in the area, and e) a description of the specific research questions,
purposes, and hypotheses. You will provide this information in paragraph format
complete with proofreading, in-text citation of sources, and a bibliography in APA style
(20 points). Papers containing more than 2 grammatical mistakes will be returned
without a score.
Methods Instructions:
This next section is a description of the proposed research methodology. The
selection of your research approach (qualitative/descriptive or quantitative/experimental)
should be driven by the nature of your research questions, purposes, and hypotheses.
This section will contain two major areas: a) a description of your proposed sample
(participants), method of sampling, sample size, and b) a description of how you intend
to measure the variables in your study as well as any physical acts you will perform to
execute the research. You will also consider the ethics relevant to your research and
your plans for addressing confounding influences. Finally, you will attach any
appendices such as informed consent forms, survey questions, etc. Again, you will
provide this information in paragraph format, using appropriate headings and APA
citation formatting (20 points). And again, papers containing more than 2 grammatical
mistakes will be returned without a score.
Rough Draft/Feedback Instructions:
Once you’ve received feedback on your introduction/literature review and
methods sections, combine your information with the results and discussions sections
as indicated in the basic outline and rubric listed below. Proofread your paper then
submit to one of your classmates to allow them an opportunity to provide you with
feedback on your proposal (10 points). You will also be providing another student with
feedback as a part of your project grade as well (10 points).
Final Draft Instructions:
Make any final editions to your proposal, incorporating any given feedback that
will enhance the clarity of your final draft. Read your rubric before submittal. (70 points)
Presentation Instructions:
At the end of the semester you will summarize your research proposal into a 2-3
minute presentation (see rubric for content requirements) (10 points). You are required
to ask your classmates critical thinking questions with regard to their project
presentations as well (10 points).
We will be working on our projects throughout the semester, but please feel free
to get ahead or ask for feedback at any time. I also welcome any feedback on the
clarification of these project instructions to further assist students in the future. Now get
creative, you scientists!
Basic Outline of Final Draft:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
Introduction
A. Problem
B. Importance
Literature Review
A. Relevant literature
B. Explanation of how current study will advance knowledge in the
area
C. Description of specific research
1. Questions
2. Purposes
3. Hypotheses
Method
A. Participants
1. Description
2. Method of sampling
3. Sample size
B. Procedures
1. Instructions/physical acts to execute the research
2. How variables measured
3. Potential confounds
4. Ethical considerations
Results
A. Descriptive Statistics
1. Which graphs, measures of central tendency, variability,
etc.?
2. Rationale for such statistics (scale of measurement)?
B. Inferential Statistics
1. Which tests: z-test, t-test, ANOVA, correlation, chisquare, etc.?
2. Rationale for such statistics (exp or corr? # of groups?)
C. Reference to statistical source
1. (Heiman, for example?)
Discussion
A. Limitations of procedures, overall proposal, chosen research
design
1. Use your text as research support
B. Implications (how the proposal applies/ can be used in the real
world)
C. Suggested directions for future research on this topic
Appendices
A. Informed consent, surveys, etc.
References
Psych B6
L. Larkin
Name: _____________________________Total:______/70
Final Research Proposal Evaluation
Format & Proofreading (10pts)
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Introduction/Literature Review (10pts)
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Score: ________
Followed formatting of sample paper in Appendix of text
Avoided the use of personal pronouns
Discussed proposal in future tense
Proofread for spelling and grammatical errors
Included required attachments (i.e., informed consent, etc.)
Score: ________
Explained the problem and importance
Provided relevant research support
Described the specific research questions/purposes
Stated the hypothesis
Methods (20pts)
Score: ________
Participants Section:
o Described the participants (i.e.,demographics)
o Described the method of sampling and sample size
Procedures Section:
o Discussed instructions given to the participants
o Described the procedures for conducting the research
o Discussed how variable would be measured
o Included ethical considerations
o Addressed potential confounding influences
o Included appropriate references to research surveys/
Questionnaires, etc.
Results (10pts)
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Discussion (10pts)
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Score: ________
Discussed limitations of the chosen research design (procedures/
method)
Discussed implications (what this means to the real world)
Discussed directions for future research studies
APA Referencing (10pts)
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Score: ________
Identified the scale of measurement of the dependent variable
Discussed appropriate descriptive statistics to report (i.e.,
graphs,measures of central tendency and variability, etc.)
Identified appropriate inferential statistics for analysis
Provided an explanation of chosen inferential statistic
Included minimum of 5 empirical journal sources
Followed APA guidelines for citing sources within text
Used paraphrasing and avoided direct quotes
Followed APA guidelines for reference page formatting
Sources listed on reference page were referenced within text
and vice versa
Cited sources in-text when making claims
Score: ________
Psych B6
L. Larkin
Name: ________________________Total______/20
Final Research Proposal
Presentation Evaluation
Professor Evaluation:

Clearly discussed the purpose of the study (why?)
Score: ______/2pts

Identified the variables and how operationalized within
the study
Score: ______/2pts
Clearly discussed procedures of how data was to be
collected
Score: ______/2pts
Demonstrated critical thinking in discussion of the
limitations of the chosen research design
Score: ______/2pts
Delivery was clear, maintained good eye contact, and
questions were addressed thoughtfully (no notecards)
Score: ______/2pts
Critical thinking questions were asked of other research
Proposals
Score:______/10pts
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Professor Comments:
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