Introduction (1 page):
Describes the purpose of the current study, using a thesis statement. (https://writingstudio.gsu.edu/files/2021/02/ThesisStatementTopicSentenceRelationship.pdf).
The purpose must be justified using existing literature.
Students must cite at least 3 peer-reviewed journal articles to justify their research study (i.e., why is this research important and what other studies have found about the current research).
This will also give students an idea of how research papers are structured.
For example, if you are interested in examining the relationship between college students attending class and their criminal history, you should find a peer-reviewed article that notes that there is a relationship between these two variables.
You must do this for at least 1 research question and hypotheses.
✅ Methods 3-4 pages (bulkiest section):
A detailed description of the data set provided
A description of the analytic sample (n=150)
A brief write-up that describes the sample (i.e., who, what, when, how many participants are included in the testing procedure).
This includes a write up of descriptive statistics on gender, age, race and a table designation.
Ex.:
The sample is 150 college students from across the United States. There are 42% male, 58% female. The average, age is 19.6 years of age. The majority is white, while 30% identify African, Asian represents 2%…etc. (see Table 1).
Research Objective and Hypotheses (second level heading)
At least 1 research question and 1 hypothesis with explanation.
Find at least 1 null hypotheses and corresponding research hypotheses.
Students will need to hypothesize about the relationship between two variables.
Ex.:
The purpose of this research is to understand the connection between drugs and crime. The research question is as follows: Is there a relationship between drugs and crime? Related to this question, the hypothesis is:
H1: There is a relationship between drugs and crime.
H0: There is no relationship between drugs and crime.
Analytics Variables (second level heading)
A detailed description of the analytic variables.
Note: These variables should be included in your descriptive statistics table.
Ex.: The variables use to test the research hypothesis are as follows: Sexual orientation and addiction.
Addiction. The variable addiction was measured as a nominal level, dichotomous variable. Participants were asked: “Do you consider yourself addicted to a drug?” The responses were coded as 0 for “no” and 1 for “yes.” (This information can be found in the survey instrument). Three percent reported that they were addicted to a drug, while 97% reported that they were not addicted to any drugs (see Table 1).
Sexual Orientation. The variable sexual orientation was measured as a nominal level variable. Participants were asked: “Which term best describes your sexual orientation.” Item responses were: Asexual, bisexual, gay, lesbian, pansexual, queer, questioning, same gender loving, straight/heterosexual, another identity. Interpret the descriptive statistics for the variable. The bar graph in Appendix A, demonstrates that 24% reported that they identify as queer, 11% identify as lesbian, 1% identify as questioning, 43% identify as straight/heterosexual, etc., etc… (Note: The interpretation will change depending on your variables level of measurement).
✅ Analytic Test (second level heading)
Perform a hypothesis tests for 1 hypothesis, using the correct statistic.
Describe in detail the analytic test used and why that test is appropriate for the data and hypothesis.
Students must include in your report specifics from your hypothesis tests in a table and describe your findings in writing in the Results and Conclusionsection.
✅ Results and Conclusion (1/2-1 page)
Summarizes all of your findings from the hypothesis testing procedure and a layman’s term interpretation of the results.
Students must make conclusions about their research so that the Provost can understand what was found. Remember to discuss statistical significance!
✅ References
APA 6th Edition citations for each study cited throughout the paper.
You may need to cite studies in the Methods section, but it is NOT required.
Ex.:
Nelson, E. U. E., & Ramirez, T. M. (2022). “The business is about knowing who to sell to”: Nigerian retail-level drug dealers’ strategies for avoiding police arrest. International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice, 68, 100510.
This page should appear before the Appendix (Tables and Figures).
✅ Appendix A: Table and Figures
Tables (second level heading)
Table of the descriptive statistics of your sample in terms of who is in the sample (demographic characteristics of your sample), descriptive statistics for the analytic variables, and a chart/graph for all variables listed in the descriptive statistics table including the analytic variables.
Provide descriptive statistics table on gender, age, race, etc. and analytic variables.
Remember to use the appropriate descriptive statistics given your level of measurement.
You will create this table in Ms Word from Excel.
Ex.: Table 1: Descriptive Statistics
Variable
Frequency
Cumulative Percentage
Mean (SD)
Gender
Male
100
42%
Female
50
58%
Age
19. 6 years (2.2 years)
Race
White
100
Asian
7
Education level
Freshmen
50
70%
Sophomore
35
22%
Figures (second level heading)
Charts and Graphs (e.g., bar chart, pie chart, histogram, line graph) that visually depicts each variable.
These charts must have a write up to describe your findings in the Methodssection.
Label all axes (i.e., the x and y variables should have a variable name)
Each chart should be labeled and describe what the chart shows (i.e., Figure 1. Drug Use Statistics)
Note: Label all tables and charts!
READ ME: below is the researchquestion provided by the professor, so use it
Research question: Is there a relationship between drug use and depression?
H0: Those who use drugs have lower or the same levels of depression than those who do not.
H1: Those who use drugs have higher levels of depression than those who do not use drugs.
