Length expectation: 1,800 words not including title page, appendices, and references (APA format) with 25% leeway over or under (1,350-2,250 words). Submitted assignments outside this range may be docked marks, at the discretion of the professor.
Drawing on content presented in study guides #1-4, you will begin the process of designing an applied study in the field of work disability management. In this assignment, you will be tasked with creating a research question and developing specific data collection tool templates.
To begin the process, you are asked to identify a problem or phenomena in the field of work disability management which would benefit from research findings.
** Problem is providers (doctors, physiotherapists or other) providing medical which is not objective or strictly based on patient advocacy and not unbiased medical limitations to determine best steps in Disability Management practices for employee and employer.
Problem identification: Using available research, provide a description of the problem, including the target population and where the problem exists. Also highlight evidence gaps that your study could fill (500 words).
Research question: Once you have identified the problem you plan to address, pose a specific and feasible research question that you aim at answering. Using insights from study guide #2, develop a research question which is testable and follows the FINER guidelines; research questions should be concise and not exceed 50 words (ideally less).
Research methodology: Next, select a research methodology and study design to answer the research question. You may choose a quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods study design. Provide a thorough description of why you have chosen that method and how it will help you in answering your research question. Additionally, discuss the strengths and limitations of the research methodology you have chosen in answering your research question (750 words).
Data collection tool: Finally, provide an overview description of the data collection tool. You may choose to design a short survey, interview guide, or focus group guide that can be used to answer your study question and address your research problem. Regardless of the tool you choose, develop up to five specific survey items or interview or focus groups questions you would ask to research participants that will allow you to pursue your research question. If you are developing a survey, identify the independent variables and dependent variables. If you are developing an interview or focus group guide identify up to three probes for each question. For this assignment, you will not be expected to develop a full survey, focus group guide, or interview guide. Rather you will be expected to provide a description overviewing what your tool could look like (500 words).
Evaluation Framework (Assignment #1):
Domain
Score
Rubric
Problem identification
(500 words)
5 points
Comprehensive description of the problem being addressed with the integration of at least four cited sources to highlight the scope and magnitude of the problem
Presentation and evaluation of existing literature on the topic
Identification of the target population and location
Description of evidence gap that you will fill
Research question
(50 words for one concise research question)
5 points
Presentation of research question
Research question is testable and follows FINER principles
Research methodology
(750 words)
5 points
Selection of research methodology that aligns with the research question
Thorough justification of why research method was chosen
Comprehensive discussion of the strengths and limitations of the research methodology
Data collection tool
(500 words)
5 points
Thoughtful development of qualitative or quantitative data collection tool template
Identification of 5 survey items or interview or focus group questions that will be posed
If you are developing a survey, description of independent and dependent variables being collected
If you are developing a focus group, description of specific probes
Writing, consistency, and reflection
5 points
Clear and concise written assignment which is fully edited
Alignment between all sections
Student critically reflects on their study design decisions and integrates study guide content
All references are cited using APA formatting
