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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Research Checklist A final check before beginning the research A final check before beginning the research Also serves as an excellent check during the planning for the study Also serves as an excellent check during the planning for the study Covers Covers –Study definition and design –Selection of all procedures –Participant selection and assignment –Preparation for running the study

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Checklist (1/8) Initial Problem Definition Initial Problem Definition –Literature reviewed? –Problem statement developed? –Variables operationally defined? Research Hypotheses Research Hypotheses –Clear hypotheses stating the direction and type of relationship expected?

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Checklist (2/8) Statistical Analyses Statistical Analyses –Descriptive statistics planned? –Inferential statistics planned? –Post hoc and secondary analyses planned? Theory and operational definitions Theory and operational definitions –Theoretical base for study clear? –Do hypotheses and procedures address the issues?

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Checklist (3/8) Independent Variable Manipulation Independent Variable Manipulation –Manipulation carefully planned? –Manipulation pretested? –Manipulation check planned? Dependent Measures Dependent Measures –Dependent measures operationally defined? –Measures pretested or piloted? –Measures reliable and valid? –Procedures to measure reliability available?

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Checklist (4/8) Controls in place Controls in place –For threats to internal validity –For threats to external validity Participants Participants –Adequately sampling target population? –Descriptive demographics collected? –Sample large enough? –Participants properly assigned to conditions?

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Checklist (5/8) Participants (continued) Participants (continued) –Groups carefully defined (differential research)? –Matching information preserved (matched- subjects designs)? –Participants available? –Scheduling procedure ready? –Participant incentive procedures in place (e.g., fees, credit)?

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Checklist (6/8) Research ethics Research ethics –IRB approval obtained? –Informed consent forms ready (for human research)? –Debriefing and/or feedback procedures in place? –Ethical guidelines checked (for animal research)?

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Checklist (7/8) Preparation of setting (continued) Preparation of setting (continued) –Adequate space available? –Space free of distractions? –Equipment checked out? –Enough research help available? –Assistants adequately trained for emergencies? –Assistants trained on research procedures? –Blind procedures in place (if necessary)?

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Checklist (8/8) Participant Preparation, Instruction, and Procedures Participant Preparation, Instruction, and Procedures –Instructions to participants clear? –Instructions and procedures pilot tested?

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Checklist Complete? Then Go for it! Then Go for it!

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon (2010) Summary Research checklist Research checklist –A final check before beginning research –Covers design, ethical, and practical issues