CHAPTER OVERVIEW The Format of a Research Proposal Being Neat Evaluating the Studies You Read Planning the Actual Research

THE FORMAT OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL Introduction A (brief) review of the relevant literature Method Proposed analysis of the data Results of the data Implications and limitations Appendices

INTRODUCTION The problem statement A rationale for the research Statement of the research objectives Hypothesis Definition of terms Summary

LITERATURE REVIEW The importance of the question asked The current status of the topic The relationship between the literature and problem statement Summary

METHOD Participants Research design Data collection plans Operational definitions Reliability and validity of instruments Results of pilot studies Proposed analysis of data Results of data

IMPLICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS

APPENDICES Copies of instruments that will be used Results of pilot studies IRB application and letter of approval Participant approval form Time line

NEATNESS Follow APA guidelines

EVALUATING THE STUDIES YOU READ Understand the literature you read Critically evaluate the studies you read

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING A RESEARCH STUDY The review of previous research The problem and the purpose The hypothesis The method The sample Results and discussion References General comments about the report

PLANNING THE ACTUAL RESEARCH What activities must be completed? How much time will it take to complete each step?

SELECTING A DEPENDENT VARIABLE Try to use proven measures Ensure that the measure is valid Ensure that the measure is reliable Consider what training you might need in order to use the measure Be sure the test is available to you If norms are needed, be sure they are available Obtain the most recent version of the test Be sure that the test is appropriate for the age group you intend to sample Read any reviews of the test that are available

REVIEWING A TEST If you use a test If you use a test to measure the dependent variable Review and evaluate the test on these criteria Basic information General test information Design and appearance Reliability Validity Norms Evaluation

SELECTING A SAMPLE Others may also be seeking participants Think about whether group membership poses a problem Know exactly how you intend to approach your participants Clearly identify the population from which you intend to sample The size of your sample depends on the type of research you are doing Consider both validity and reliability Consider how much money you can spend The number of variables and groups you study affects required sample size

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS HAVE YOU Developed a data collection form? Specified appropriate descriptive statistics for your data? Identified what other demographic information you will need? Collected and analyzed pilot data?

SELECTING AN INFERENTIAL STATISTIC Using a flow chart like figure 8.3 can be useful for common analyses But there is no substitute for a good statistics course

PROTECTING HUMAN SUBJECTS Institutional Review Board (IRB) Informed consent