RESEARCH PROPOSAL OUTLINE AND GUIDE
Note – when instructed below, a “paragraph” is defined as a sufficient length of text that accomplishes the explanatory goal; it is not just 1-2 sentences. This is a formal academic paper; do not use simple incomplete sentences or lists or bullet points – you must use narrative expository manuscript form according to APA guidelines. This is a quantitative study; you cannot use qualitative methods.
Introduction
Problem context/statement
In 1-2 paragraphs introduce your topic by defining/describing it; provide the context for your upcoming research questions by briefly describing what is known so far and what is unknown or needs further investigation. You should have several (2-3) citations in this part.
Research questions
In 1 paragraph, pose your research question(s); it/they must follow directly/logically from your topic described above. They should be good research questions that meet the criteria shown in the class module. Your questions should lend themselves to an association claim or a causal claim – you may NOT propose a study that is simply a frequency claim. (see procedures/design below).
Research hypotheses
In 1 paragraph, state your hypotheses; you must have at least one (more fine) that follow logically from each research question; they should be in statement form and meet the criteria shown in the class module.
Background
Literature review-what is known
In 1-2 paragraphs, review the relevant literature on your topic and go into more detail than you did in the introduction; it should be thorough with multiple citations that are reflected in your reference list.
Literature review – gaps in knowledge and current aims
In at least 1 paragraph, describe what the literature says/suggests is unknown about your topic and thus needs further investigation. Follow that logically with the aim(s) of your study (thus showing justification/importance for your proposal)
Methods
Sampling / Participants / Informed Consent
In 1-2 paragraphs, describe your intended sample by sample size, demographic characteristics, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and any special characteristics. Describe your sampling method – how will these participants be recruited/obtained? (you should be describing one of the random or non-random sampling methods described in the text and module). Describe informed consent procedures and any compensation for participation if offered as incentive.
Setting
In 1 paragraph, describe the research setting – where it will take place? And provide justification for that setting.
Instrumentation
In 1- 2 paragraphs, explain/describe how you are operationalizing/measuring your variables; the methods/tools you will use to collect data. These can be tests/inventories/checklists, structured interviews, behavioral observation, surveys etc. If you choose a test (or similar instrument) you must discuss its psychometric reliability and validity. Do not create your own measurement – you need to find one that already exists in the literature and has been shown to be a good method.
Procedures/Design
In 1-2 paragraphs, describe/explain exactly how the study will be carried out from start to finish — think action words/phrases in a logical sequence; what are you actually doing…; discuss the research design as defined by what kind of research claim you are making (according to the text/module – association or causal). If it’s association, you are likely using correlational or predictive design; if it’s causal, you are likely using quasi-experimental or experimental design (there are many different kinds of these, so you need to be specific, e.g., “a randomized double blind control group design.”
Data Analysis Plan
In 1 paragraph, describe the statistical tests you will use to test your hypotheses; procedures like a t-test for independent samples, a 1 way ANOVA with PHGC, bivariate correlation, multiple regression analysis, a 2×3 factorial ANOVA, etc. Don’t just throw a stat test at the data – your choice of statistical tests should match your question/hypotheses. E.g., if you are looking for significant predictors of depression, you’d use a prediction model like regression, not a t-test (that just compares group means). You cannot use ONLY descriptive statistics here; you must choose an inferential stat(s) to test your hypothesis (es). You can have both if you wish.
Adherence to APA style / references
You will be evaluated on correct use of APA style; this applies to cover page format, font type/size, margins, pagination, running head, outline headers/sub-headers formatting, and reference format this is especially relevant for an electronically retrieved reference – APA has specific formats for citing these and you need to follow them. You must have at least 5 scholarly, relevant, reasonably current references. Books, peer reviewed articles, manuscripts, conference proceedings, professional websites (CDC, NIH, NIMH). Social media, blogs, or popular cultural information sources are not permitted.
Written Mechanics
Spelling, grammar, punctuation – run a spell/grammar check
Written Concepts
Clarity, cohesion, flow of ideas/narrative; is your writing at expected college level?
