Unit 2 / Writing a Research Plan SPSE 7010 D.V. Craig

Unit 2 Writing a Research Proposal or Plan

SPSE 7010 Dr. Dorothy Valcarcel Craig Middle Tennessee State University

1

Unit 2 / Writing a Research Plan SPSE 7010 D.V. Craig

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 D A justification for the hypotheses or exploration of the research problem D A detailed presentation of the steps to be followed in conducting the study

Purposes of a written research plan: D Forces the researcher to think through every aspect of the study D Facilitates the evaluation of the proposed study D 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. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Beneficence and non-malfeasance Fidelity and responsibility Integrity Justice Respect for people’s rights and dignity

Two additional issues related to ethical and legal responsibilities • Deception • Cooperation of participants

2

Unit 2 / Writing a Research Plan SPSE 7010 D.V. Craig

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

Unit 2 / Writing a Research Plan SPSE 7010 D.V. Craig 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: http://facstaff.morehouse.edu/~lblumer/IRB/consent.htm

The Research Process – Components D Chapter 1 / The Introduction D Chapter 2 / Review of Literature D Chapter 3 / Methodology D Chapter 4 / Data Analysis D Chapter 5 / Findings and Conclusions D References D Appendices

4

Unit 2 / Writing a Research Plan SPSE 7010 D.V. Craig

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 9 The topic is identified with a discussion of the background and rationale 9 Significance of the problem is presented Statement of the hypotheses (quantitative) 9 A formal statement specifying the hypothesis, support for expected relationships between variables, and operational definitions of all variables 9 Hypotheses in quantitative studies are usually deductively reasoned Overarching questions (qualitative) 9 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 9 Terms to ensure understanding 9 Assumptions that are being made but not proved 9 Limitations--conditions outside the researcher’s control that may affect the study 9 Delimitations—boundaries of the study

5

Unit 2 / Writing a Research Plan SPSE 7010 D.V. Craig

Chapter 2 / The Literature Review •

•

Review of the literature Quantitative Study –

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

Unit 2 / Writing a Research Plan SPSE 7010 D.V. Craig

Chapter 3 / Methodology Sections • Subjects / Participants • Design Approach and Instruments • Data, Data Collection Schedule, and Triangulation Matrix • Procedures / Timeline • Data analyses 1 / Subjects / Participants 9 Identifies the characteristics of the population and sample as well as the sampling technique used 9 Quantitative studies typically use large samples and probability sampling techniques 9 Qualitative studies typically use a smaller population based on the problem and focus of inquiry 9 For qualitative studies, the site is described in this section 2 / Design Approach and Instruments 9 The design approach is outlined and described in detail 9 The researcher provides a rationale for why a specific design— quantitative or qualitative—approach was selected 9 Any instruments to be used should be described NOTE: Copies are placed in the Appendix 3 / Data, Data Collection Schedule and Triangulation Matrix 9 Data and data sets are discussed 9 Fieldwork and access (qualitative) 9 Collection schedule is presented in table format 9 Triangulation Matrix (where needed) is completed and included in this section 4 / Procedures / Timeline 9 Discussion of procedures in chronological order 9 Timeline in table format 5 / Data Analyses 9 Brief explanation of how data will be analyzed 9 Brief overview of any tests involved 9 Brief description of coding and analysis for qualitative studies

7

Unit 2 / Writing a Research Plan SPSE 7010 D.V. Craig

Chapter 4 / Data Analysis Quantitative Data Analysis 9 Revisit the hypotheses 9 Provide an in-depth explanation of test used for analysis 9 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 9 Explanation of nature of analyses from fieldwork, observations, interviews, etc. 9 Describe procedure used for categorizing, coding, and defining 9 Discuss attributes of each category and provide explanation and rationale 9 Reference field notes, observations, video tapes, audio tapes, etc. 9 Include explanation regarding trustworthiness and triangulation for validity

8

Unit 2 / Writing a Research Plan SPSE 7010 D.V. Craig

Chapter 5 / Findings and Conclusions Sections • Findings • Conclusions • Limitations • Recommendations • Suggestions for future research

1 / Findings 9 Detailed report of findings with explanation 9 Descriptive report of findings in chronological order (qualitative) 9 Reference to data analysis

2 / Conclusions 9 Presentation of researcher’s conclusions based on accurate findings

3 / Limitations with Regard for Reproducing the Study 9 Discussion of any limitations that were uncovered with regard to reproducing or duplicating the study in another setting

4 / Recommendations 9 Recommendations offered to those in the field 9 Recommendations based on completed inquiry

5 / Suggestions for Future Research 9 Well thought-out discussion of suggestions to extend the study or to continue the inquiry 9 This consists of a brief introduction and a list of suggestions

9

Unit 2 / Writing a Research Plan SPSE 7010 D.V. Craig

References and Appendices

References 9 List of references strictly following APA guidelines 9 Typically includes 20 – 25 sources (or more) 9 May include books, articles, online sources, etc.

Appendices 9 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

Unit 2 / Writing a Research Plan SPSE 7010 D.V. Craig

NOTE: D 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: http://www.mtsu.edu/~irb/forms/ D Sample consent forms may be viewed at: http://www.mtsu.edu/~irb/forms/ Sample Consent Template

11