Written Research Proposal (30 Points)
1
Written Research Proposal (30 points)
Each group of students (at least 3 members/no more than 4 based on topic/area of interest) will be required to submit a 5-8 page (not including title page & references) written research proposal.
The proposal must includethe following parts:
1) Title Page (1 point; Does not count towards your total pages)
a. The title page usually includes the title of the report, the author’s name(s), the degree requirement being fulfilled, the name of the college or university awarding the degree, and the date of submission.
b. The title should be brief (15 words or less if possible). At the same time it should describe the purpose of the study as clearly as possible. The title usually indicates the major independent and dependent variables and sometimes names the population studied. (e.g., Teacher Ratings on the Problems and Competence of Adolescent Girls)
2) Literature review of current relevant literature (10 points; about 2-3 pages)
a. The literature review should educate readers about the topic and provide a clear rationale as to why the study is important and necessary based on the previous research and writing on the topic. The process involves finding and reading the relevant professional literature on the chosen topic and summarizing the information in a written review. Most of the research will be in the form of scholarly books, book chapters, and published journal articles. Do not plagiarize. Make sure to put all information in your own words and give credit to all authors who are used through professional citations using APA format.
b. Within your literature review you will present the logic or conceptual framework as to why and how your current study (topics, methods, designs) is organized the way it is.
c. Make this section compelling. Tell the reader why this is an important topic and why they should continue to read your document. Concisely explain the social importance of what you are studying.
3) Statement of your proposed research question(s), (2 points; ½- 1 page directly after your literature review)
a. State your research question(s) in the form of a question that includes the independent variable(s) and dependent variable(s) within the question. For example: “Do student who participate in the Super-Duper literacy intervention [IV] perform better on statewide standardized tests [DV] in reading than students who do not receive the Super-Duper literacy intervention?
b. Briefly and clearly state how each research question will be addressed. For example, “This research question will be answered by comparing the end-of-year state wide test scores of students who received the intervention and those who did not receive the intervention.”
c. Briefly present the proposed theoretical and practical implications of the findings.
4) Description of your proposed methodologies including a description of your research design, proposed participants, setting, and sample size (4 pts; 2-3 pages)
a. The description of setting includes a brief description of the geographic area the study/intervention occurred (e.g., Pacific Northwest of the United States) as well as a description of the direct setting the intervention and measures were conducted (e.g., in a general education classroom with 20 students).
b. The description of participants includes a definition and description of the population from which the sample was selected as well as the method used in selecting the sample. Include the inclusion and exclusion criteria for participation in the study.
b. Each measure (e.g., test, observation form, survey) should be described according to what it measures and how ; and should include information regarding its validity and reliability.
c. In an experimental study, the method section should include a description of the basic design applied in the study.
d. The procedure section should describe each step followed in conducting the study, in chronological order, in sufficient detail to permit the study to be replicated by another researcher.
5) Operational definitions of your proposed independent and dependent variables (4 pts; within your method section above)
a. As a subsection of your methods section (above), operationally define the independent and dependent variables in your study.
b. Be clear and ensure that they are observable and measurable.
6) Description of proposed data collection and data analysis procedures. (4 pts; 1-2 pages)
a. Describe how you will collect your data.
b. Describe how you will analyze the data.
c. Include a general time line for when data collection will occur, for how long, and when
you plan to complete the data collection. For example, “Data collection will occur in
October 2011 and continue until December 2011. Classroom observations will be
collected weekly during these months. Other data will be collected….”
7) References (5 pts; as many pages as needed---these will not count towards your total pages)
a. List all sources, alphabetically by authors’ last names that were directly used in the manuscript.
b. Every source cited in the manuscript must be included in the references, and every entry listed in the references must appear in the paper.
c. Use the APA Manual, 6th edition for guidance on how to list references.
General Advice
1. Make an outline before you begin. The outline should follow the suggested format below if possible.
2. The report is written in the present tense (for the proposal; your final document for your master’s project will be in past tense).
3. Be as objective as possible in writing the report.
4. Use the first person sparingly. Avoid phrases such as “I think that...” “I strongly believe,” “We tried hard to...”
5. Avoid using abbreviations and contractions.
6. Proofread the final draft of the report carefully. Correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar are a must.
Recommended Format of Paper:
Title Page (separate page)
Literature Review (centered boldface)
Conceptual Framework or Logic Model (Left-aligned, boldface)
Research Question(s) (Left-aligned, boldface)
Method (centered, boldface)
Setting
Participants
Measures
Dependent measures. (Indented, boldface, Upper and lowercase with a period)
Independent measures.
Design
Dependent variable(s).
Independent variable(s).
Procedures
Data collection.
Data analysis.
Timeline.
References (separate page)