Unit 2. Writing a Research Proposal or Plan

Transcription

1 Unit 2 Writing a Research Proposal or Plan Dr. Dorothy Valcarcel Craig Middle Tennessee State University 1

2 Characteristics of a Research Plan A research plan is a detailed description of the procedures that will be used to investigate your topic or problem. General components of a research plan A justification for the hypotheses or exploration of the research problem A detailed presentation of the steps to be followed in conducting the study Purposes of a written research plan: Forces the researcher to think through every aspect of the study Facilitates the evaluation of the proposed study Provides detailed procedures to guide the conduct of the study General Considerations Three general issues to consider when developing a research plan 1. Ethics of research 2. Legal restrictions 3. Cooperation from participants Ethics of Research - Five Ethical Principles 1. Beneficence and non-malfeasance 2. Fidelity and responsibility 3. Integrity 4. Justice 5. Respect for people s rights and dignity Two additional issues related to ethical and legal responsibilities Deception Cooperation of participants 2

3 Cooperation of Participants Gaining entry to the research site Approval needed at several levels Site Administrators Teachers Students Approval is not cooperation Strategies to enhance cooperation: 1. Clearly explain the benefits of the study 2. Afford stakeholders the opportunity to review drafts of the report for their approval 3. Brief stakeholders on the findings 4. Provide professional development sessions for stakeholders 3

4 Sample Informed Consent Form INFORMED CONSENT FORM QUESTIONNAIRE ON RECYCLING ATTITUDES AND BEHAVI0RS We are conducting a survey on environmental awareness and recycling at College. Your voluntary participation is requested so we may learn more about the attitudes and behaviors regarding municipal waste recycling. Our questionnaire will take approximately 5 minutes. Your name will not be recorded on the questionnaire and your responses will be anonymous. Again, your participation is voluntary and you may choose to not answer all of the questions on the questionnaire even after signing the consent. If you are willing to participate, please sign this form. If you have any questions pertaining to this study, please contact Dr. Z, Department of X, College, Telephone #. Thank you for your assistance. Participant Signature Date Source: The Research Process Components Chapter 1 / The Introduction Chapter 2 / Review of Literature Chapter 3 / Methodology Chapter 4 / Data Analysis Chapter 5 / Findings and Conclusions References Appendices 4

5 Chapter 1 / The Introduction Sections: Statement of the problem Statement of the hypotheses (quantitative) OR Overarching questions (qualitative) Definitions, Assumptions, Limitations, Delimitations Statement of the problem The topic is identified with a discussion of the background and rationale Significance of the problem is presented Statement of the hypotheses (quantitative) A formal statement specifying the hypothesis, support for expected relationships between variables, and operational definitions of all variables Hypotheses in quantitative studies are usually deductively reasoned Overarching questions (qualitative) A set of overarching questions are offered. (Typically 3 or more)the questions serve as a framework for the qualitative study Definitions, Assumptions, Limitations, Delimitations Terms to ensure understanding Assumptions that are being made but not proved Limitations--conditions outside the researcher s control that may affect the study Delimitations boundaries of the study 5

6 Review of the literature Quantitative Study Chapter 2 / The Literature Review Provides an overview of the topic and positions the study in the context of what is known, and, more importantly, what is not known about the topic Completed at the beginning of the study and placed in the beginning of the plan Review of the literature Qualitative Study Links the study to any underlying assumptions and theories related to the initial research questions Accomplishes several things Identifies potential gaps in the literature Outlines themes which are integrated into the research questions Embeds the research questions in framework NOTE: Please refer to the slide show and handout packet focusing on the Literature Review for further explanation 6

7 Chapter 3 / Methodology Sections Subjects / Participants Design Approach and Instruments Data, Data Collection Schedule, and Triangulation Matrix Procedures / Timeline Data analyses 1 / Subjects / Participants Identifies the characteristics of the population and sample as well as the sampling technique used Quantitative studies typically use large samples and probability sampling techniques Qualitative studies typically use a smaller population based on the problem and focus of inquiry For qualitative studies, the site is described in this section 2 / Design Approach and Instruments The design approach is outlined and described in detail The researcher provides a rationale for why a specific design quantitative or qualitative approach was selected Any instruments to be used should be described NOTE: Copies are placed in the Appendix 3 / Data, Data Collection Schedule and Triangulation Matrix Data and data sets are discussed Fieldwork and access (qualitative) Collection schedule is presented in table format Triangulation Matrix (where needed) is completed and included in this section 4 / Procedures / Timeline Discussion of procedures in chronological order Timeline in table format 5 / Data Analyses Brief explanation of how data will be analyzed Brief overview of any tests involved Brief description of coding and analysis for qualitative studies 7

8 Quantitative Data Analysis Revisit the hypotheses Chapter 4 / Data Analysis Provide an in-depth explanation of test used for analysis Descriptions of the techniques used to analyze the data Descriptive statistics statistics that summarize data in terms of central tendency (e.g., means), variation (e.g., standard deviations), relative position (e.g., standard scores), or relationships (e.g., correlations) Inferential statistics procedures used to infer the likelihood of the results happening in the population rather than just the sample Qualitative Data Analysis Explanation of nature of analyses from fieldwork, observations, interviews, etc. Describe procedure used for categorizing, coding, and defining Discuss attributes of each category and provide explanation and rationale Reference field notes, observations, video tapes, audio tapes, etc. Include explanation regarding trustworthiness and triangulation for validity 8

9 Sections Findings Conclusions Limitations Recommendations Suggestions for future research Chapter 5 / Findings and Conclusions 1 / Findings Detailed report of findings with explanation Descriptive report of findings in chronological order (qualitative) Reference to data analysis 2 / Conclusions Presentation of researcher s conclusions based on accurate findings 3 / Limitations with Regard for Reproducing the Study Discussion of any limitations that were uncovered with regard to reproducing or duplicating the study in another setting 4 / Recommendations Recommendations offered to those in the field Recommendations based on completed inquiry 5 / Suggestions for Future Research Well thought-out discussion of suggestions to extend the study or to continue the inquiry This consists of a brief introduction and a list of suggestions 9

10 References and Appendices References List of references strictly following APA guidelines Typically includes sources (or more) May include books, articles, online sources, etc. Appendices Typically includes copies of: IRB Approval Sample consent forms Instruments such as open-ended interviews Testing instruments Validity reports Qualitative studies include samples of artifacts, participant interview responses, transcriptions, pictures, photos, diagrams, field notes, and any other data collected Evaluating a Research Plan Informal assessment Critiques by the researcher, advisors, peers and colleagues, etc. Critiques by experienced researchers Formal assessment Field tests Pilot studies Modifications based on the results of both informal and formal evaluations 10

11 NOTE: All students conducting research at MTSU must prepare a research plan and submit the required paperwork to the IRB (Institutional Review Board) for approval. For additional information and forms, please see: Sample consent forms may be viewed at: Sample Consent Template 11