Research Proposal
AGEDS 510
Deadline: 4/22/12 at 11:59 p.m.

Proposal Content

Please use the “The Research Proposal” document that begins on the next page as a guide for what to include in your proposal.  This document lists each section of a research proposal and identifies key considerations about each section.  Your grade for the written portion of this assignment will be based upon how well you addressed the key points contained in this document.

The maximum overall length of the proposal is 7 pages double spaced with a 12 point font and one inch margins.  A reference list must be included but does not count against your page limit.  The maximum acceptable length of chapter one is 3 pages, and the maximum acceptable length of chapter three is four pages.  Chapter 2 is not required.

Submissions

To enhance the quality of your proposal and to assist you in achieving an on time completion, the following peer review schedule has been established.  You are expected to submit your proposal for review on schedule and to complete your duties as a reviewer for another author on schedule. Peer review forms are provided in Lesson 1 in WebCT.  The instructor will provide feedback to all students at each scheduled peer review process.

Chapter 
Draft Due 
Peer Review Due

Chapter 1 
3/18/12 at 11:59 p.m. 
3/25/12 at 11:59 p.m.

Chapter 3 
4/8/12 at 11:59 p.m. 
4/15/12 at 11:59 p.m.

Post your drafts and final proposal to the appropriate discussion areas in WebCT by their respective deadlines.  The proposal should be attached to your message as a Word or PDF file.  In the subject line write “Your Name Chapter 1” etc.  Name the attached file “Your Name Chapter 1.doc” etc.  FOLLOW THESE NAMING INSTRUCTIONS!  Peer reviewer assignments are explained in the respective discussion areas in WebCT.

Evaluation

The grade for this assignment will be divided between the written research proposal (80%) and your participation (20%) in the peer review process.  Regarding the peer review process, you will earn 5% for submitting the required materials on time and 15% for providing a thorough and substantive peer review.  You will also be expected to participate in a review of selected final proposals.  This review process will provide feedback to authors and will aid in determining a winner of the coveted most outstanding proposal award.
 
The Research Proposal

Chapter 1 – Introduction

C1.1 Title

• The title should reveal to one who understands research the:
o Major variables and any relationship(s) among the variables being examined in the study.
o Type of research (descriptive survey, causal-comparative or correlational, or experimental).
o Target population (the group the researcher wants to study and also to whom he or she wishes the results to apply).#p#分頁標題#e#
• Avoid unnecessary words like: “a study of” or “an investigation of”.
• Focus on the essence of the study so that the title may be as brief as possible while still communicating the necessary information.
• The title should be clear, concise and descriptive enough to permit the study to be indexed in its proper category.

C1.2 Background and Setting
 
• Introduce the reader to the problem being investigated.
• Set the problem within the proper context.
• Base this section primarily on facts.  You may include opinion.
• Cite the source of all facts and opinions used in this section and include the sources in your reference list.
• Use this section as the “lead in” to your problem statement.
• Make sure that the arguments used to isolate the dimensions of your problem are logically sound.

C1.3 Statement of the Problem

• State the problem clearly and concisely.
• Problem statements are often more easily identified and interpreted when they are written in the form of a question.
• Restrict the scope of the problem statement.
• Make sure that the problem is amenable to research.  Avoid philosophical issues, as well as value or judgmental questions.
• Make sure that the problem statement can be addressed ethically.
• The problem statement should be consistent with the information presented in the background and setting section.
• A solution to the problem should contribute to the knowledge base of the discipline.
• Research aimed at addressing the problem should lead to ideas for future research.

C1.4 Objectives of the Study

• First write specific research questions, objectives, or hypotheses depending upon the type of research that you plan to conduct.  Present them in list form.
• Write an overall purpose statement that reflects all of you questions, objectives or hypotheses.  This statement should appear just prior to the list of questions, objectives or hypotheses.
• Research questions or objectives should be very specific and should identify variables that are being investigated.
• Hypotheses should be written as directly testable relational statements.
• Hypotheses may be directional or nondirectional depending on what would be consistent with the existing body of knowledge.
• Null hypotheses are not stated in the proposal.

C1.5 Significance of the Study
Note:  This section is NOT a required component of the Research Proposal Assignment.

• Explain why your study is important.  Base this explanation on your problem statement and your intended approach to addressing it.  Stay focused.#p#分頁標題#e#
• Consider the following questions in deciding what to include in this section:
o How will theory be tested or further developed?
o How will the knowledge base be expanded?
o How will practical problems be solved?
o Who might benefit from your study and how?
o Will the study have application to professional practice?

C1.6 Limitations/Delimitations
Note:  This section is NOT a required component of the Research Proposal Assignment.

You should provide a list of specifically stated limitations (weaknesses) that apply to your study.  Examples of  limitations include:
o Small sample sizes
o Errors in measurement
o Failure to control extraneous variables
o Control for extraneous variables, etc.
• You should provide a list of specifically stated delimitations (boundaries that indicate what is being researched and what is not) that apply to your study.  Examples of delimitations include:
o Specific geographic boundaries
o Grade level of students that are the subjects of your study
o Specific constructs that will be measured

C1.7 Definition of Terms
Note:  This section is NOT a required component of the Research Proposal Assignment.

Analyze your research questions, objectives, and or hypotheses for words that should be defined.
• Define all variables and important terms in clear and unequivocal language. 
• Present the definitions in list form.
• Constitutive definitions should be provided for all important words.  These are like dictionary definitions in that words are used to define the key terms.
• Variables or characteristics that you plan to measure must be defined operationally.  Operational definitions describe how variables will be measured and translate something theoretical into something observable.
• Do not define generally understood concepts unless you are using them in a unique way.

Chapter 2 – Review of Literature

Note:  This chapter is NOT a required component of the Research Proposal Assignment.

• Write chapter 2 in sections based on your research questions, objectives, and/or hypotheses.
• Use the review of literature to establish a theoretical framework for the study.
• Do not abstract prior studies in chronological order and force the reader to assimilate the facts and draw conclusions!
• Synthesize prior studies by weaving them into a network of relationships that point out relevant issues and reveal gaps in knowledge.
• Comment on previous related studies and whether their samples were adequate, their techniques satisfactory, and their conclusions warranted.  It should be clear that previous studies have not adequately addressed your research problem.#p#分頁標題#e#

Chapter 3 – Methodology

C3.1 Research Design

• Identify the purpose and type (e.g. descriptive survey, correlational, causal comparative, quasi-experimental, experimental) of research that you will conduct.  For example:  “The purpose of this correlational study was to…”
• Describe the research design that will be used.
• Illustrate the research design when appropriate.
• Discuss the internal validity strengths and weaknesses of the study.
• Explain how extraneous variables will be controlled.
• Discuss external validity strengths and weaknesses of the study.
• Organize this section by research questions, objectives, and/or hypotheses if multiple designs will be used.

C3.2 Subjects or Data Source

• Describe your intended target population and indicate if there is a difference between the target population and the population that is accessible to you.
• Explain how you will obtain a list (frame) of persons in the population and how you will minimize frame error (inaccuracies in the list).
• Indicate whether you will study the entire population (a census) or if you will select a sample.
• If a sample is used, justify and describe your sampling procedures.  Provide a rationale (e.g. desired margin of error, limited resources) for the sample size.

C3.3 Instrumentation

• Describe carefully the procedures that will be used to ensure that all instruments are valid.  Validity answers the following question: Does the instrument measure what it purports to measure with the population that will be used?
• Describe carefully the procedures that will be used to ensure that all instruments are reliable.  Reliability answers the following question: Does the instrument yield consistent results with subjects similar to those being studied?
• Explain why the instruments are appropriate for your study.  This is an indication of suitability.
• If applicable, how will interviewers or observers be trained?  How will inter and intra rater reliability be established?
• How will incomplete data, obvious response set, lying, cheating, and unanswered items be dealt with?
• Explain your plans for pilot and/or field testing your instruments.
• Clearly explain how all variables are measured.  It should be clear what level of measurement is represented by each variable.  This is important information in determining the appropriate statistical analysis of the data.

C3.4 Conditions of Testing

• You may title this section “Data Collection”.
• Explain how informed consent of subjects to participate in the study will be obtained.
• Describe when, where, and under what conditions the data were gathered.#p#分頁標題#e#
• Describe the order in which instruments were administered.
• Indicate whether time limits were set for completing some or all of the instruments.
• Describe any oral and/or written directions that were given to the subjects.
• Explain what will be done to reduce measurement error when instruments seek information that is sensitive and could lead to socially acceptable answers.
• For survey research, describe in detail each contact with subjects.  Also, indicate the time interval between each contact.
• Explain how you will deal with nonresponse error.
• Explain how you will calculate the response rate.
• While the data is being collected keep a detailed record of any events that might impact the results.  This could be very helpful to you in explaining your findings.

C3.5 Treatments

• Describe in detail all levels of the independent variable (s).  Describe them well enough that another researcher could conduct the study in exactly the same way that you did (replication). This is very important!
• If attribute (nonmanipulated) independent variables will be included in the analysis, identify them and describe each level of each variable in detail.

C3.6 Data Analysis

• You should select statistical techniques that fit the design and objectives of the study.  You should never choose a statistical technique or research design then try to find a study that would use it.
• Describe the analysis procedures and statistics that will be used for each question, objective and/or hypothesis.
• Explain how data will be coded and entered. – Not Required for the Research Proposal Assignment
• Explain how the data will be checked for errors and “cleaned up” after entry. – Not Required for the Research Proposal Assignment
• Identify the software that will be used to collect, organize and analyze the data.
• If inferential statistics will be used, specify the level of significance that will be used.
 
Recommendations for Self Evaluation of the Written Proposal1

• Write a draft of the proposal.
• Put the draft away for a few days.
• Read a paper copy of the draft.
• Critically analyze the draft for organization and logical thought.
• Make sure that your ideas are clearly communicated.
• Sentences should be clear and concise.
• Carefully select words.
• Look for spelling, grammar, punctuation and typographical errors.
• Ask yourself if the proposal still seems feasible.
• Integrate your corrections into a second draft.
• Obtain lots of feedback from others.

1 Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2005). Practical research: Planning and design (8th edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.#p#分頁標題#e#