Quantitative Research Plan - SOE School of Education Research Plan Quantitative Methods Working Document – Sections 3, 4 Section 1: Learner and Topic Information 1.1 Learner Information Learner Name: Learner Email: Learner Phone number: Mentor Name: Mentor Email: Mentor Phone Number: Specialization: Specialization Chair: 1.2 Proposed Dissertation Title: (Usually a statement based on the research question--short and to the point.) 1.3 Research Topic Describe the specific topic to be studied in a paragraph. (Be certain that the research question relates to the topic.) phd_t3_soe_u01a2_f08_planquan.docx 1 Quantitative Research Plan - SOE 1.4 Research Problem Write a brief statement that fully describes the problem being addressed. Present this in one sentence or no more than one clear concise paragraph. 1.5 Research Purpose Write a brief statement that fully describes the intent of the study or the reason for conducting the study. Present this in one sentence or no more than one clear concise paragraph. 1.6 Research Question(s) List the primary research question that the proposed study will address. Although not required, sub-questions for quantitative questions are permissible, and should also be listed. Include hypothesis(es) as appropriate. phd_t3_soe_u01a2_f08_planquan.docx 2 Quantitative Research Plan - SOE 1.7 Literature Review Section Provide a brief overview of the theoretical framework upon which your study is based. Identify the seminal research and theories that inform your study. Discuss the topics and themes that you will use to organize your literature review. Attach the most current list of references with your Research Plan. 1.8 Need for the Study Describe the need for the study. Provide a rationale or need for studying a particular issue or phenomenon. Describe how the study is relevant to your specialization area. phd_t3_soe_u01a2_f08_planquan.docx 3 Quantitative Research Plan - SOE Section 2: Methodology 2.0 Methodology Describe the basic quantitative approach and methodology that you propose to use. State whether the study will be experimental, quasi-experimental, or non-experimental. State the name of the specific type of design to be used and describe the method(s) will you use to collect the data. Section 3: Advancing the Scientific Knowledge base 3.1 Advancing Scientific Knowledge Demonstrate how the study (a) will advance the scientific knowledge base; (b) is grounded in the field of education; and (c) addresses something that is not known, something that is new or different from prior research, something that extends prior research, or something that fills a gap in the existing literature. Describe precisely how your study will add to the existing body of literature on your topic. It can be a small step forward in a line of current research but it must add to the body of scientific knowledge in your specialization area and on the topic. To respond to this question you will need to: 1. Provide a paragraph that describes the background for your study and how your research question relates to the background of the study. 2. Then, in a second paragraph discuss previous research and demonstrate exactly how your study (answering research question) will advance the scientific knowledge base on this topic. Include in-text citations and place the references in the reference section. phd_t3_soe_u01a2_f08_planquan.docx 4 Quantitative Research Plan - SOE 3.2 Theoretical Implications Describe the theoretical implications you believe your study could have for the field of education and your specialization area. 3.3 Practical Implications Describe any practical implications that may result from your research. Specifically, describe any implications the research may have for understanding phenomena for practitioners, the population being studied, or a particular type of work, mental health, educational, community, stakeholders or other setting. phd_t3_soe_u01a2_f08_planquan.docx 5 Quantitative Research Plan - SOE Section 4: Contributions of the Proposed Study to the Field 4.1 Contributions to the Field Briefly describe the primary theoretical basis for the study. Describe the major theory (or theories) that will serve as the foundation for the research problem and research questions and provide any corresponding citations. 4.1 Contributions to the Field Your study should contribute to research theory in your field by meeting one or more of these four criteria: A. B. C. D. The study should generate new theory. The study should refine or add to an existing theory. The study should test to confirm or refute a theory. The study should expand theory by telling us something new about application or processes Describe how your study will contribute to research theory in your field by meeting one or more of these four criteria. phd_t3_soe_u01a2_f08_planquan.docx 6 Quantitative Research Plan - SOE Section 5: Methodology Details 5.1 Purpose of the Study Describe the purpose of the study. Why are you doing it? (The answer must be grounded in the literature in what has been done-hasn’t been done or needs to be done.) State the research problem, each research question and any sub questions. Specifically state the corresponding hypotheses for each research question. How will the methods to be used actually answer the research question? 5.2 Research Design Describe the research design you will use. Start by specifically stating the type of quantitative approach you will use (experimental, quasi-experimental, or non-experimental), include the exact name or type of design to be used and describe the exact method(s) (archival, survey, observations) you will use to collect the data. Briefly describe how the study will be conducted. 5.3 Population and Sample Describe the characteristics of the larger population from which the sample (study participants) will be drawn. Next describe the sample that will participate in the study and justify the sample size using a power analysis or some other justification supported in the literature. phd_t3_soe_u01a2_f08_planquan.docx 7 Quantitative Research Plan - SOE 5.4 Sampling Procedures Describe how you plan to select the sample. Be sure to list the name of the specific sampling strategy you will use. Describe each of the steps from recruitment through contact and screening to consenting to participate in the study. Provide enough detail so that someone else would be able to follow this recipe to replicate the study. phd_t3_soe_u01a2_f08_planquan.docx 8