Homework answers / question archive / FINAL RESEARCH PROPOSAL Purpose The purpose of this assignment is for you to plan and develop a research project that will be successfully executed for your MRP

FINAL RESEARCH PROPOSAL Purpose The purpose of this assignment is for you to plan and develop a research project that will be successfully executed for your MRP

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FINAL RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is for you to plan and develop a research project that will be successfully executed for your MRP. In doing so, you will develop your skills in turning general ideas into researchable ideas as well as your ability to apply course concepts to a research project.

Evaluation Criteria: Provided in separate document.

Formatting Requirements/Required Sections of the Proposal

Your research proposal should resemble the format of a journal article. Your proposal should be written in APA format and should address or answer the relevant questions below each heading. Make sure you write each section in the appropriate verb tense and refer to the APA Manual to confirm the inclusion of the appropriate information in each section.

1. Cover Page
   • Running Head
   • Page Header
   • Title, Author, Institution
2. Abstract

One paragraph (250 words max) that briefly describes the research question that will be addressed, the methodology that will be used, the main expected findings, and the contributions of the research.

3. Introduction

A well-written introduction is the most efficient way to hook your reader and set the context of your proposed research. The introduction is your opportunity to demonstrate that your research has not been done before and that the proposed project will really add something new to the existing body of literature. Your proposal has to be based on sound hypotheses (if appropriate) and reasoning.

Your introduction should identify the research problem. That is, indicate why the research is important and what you are hoping to accomplish. What is the problem under investigation? Next, you should complete a literature review. Your review of the literature should only include the most recent or relevant articles. Choose key research papers and explain clearly how your research will either fill a gap, complete or follow on from previous research even if it is a relatively new field or if you are applying a known methodology to a different field. Journal articles, books, PhD theses, public policies, government and learned society reports are better than non-peer-reviewed information you may find on the internet. Through the use of previous research, you should develop the general background of the research problem and identify research holes to show how your study can further research in the field. If appropriate, make sure you include your hypothesis in this section, as well as, the independent and dependent variables. Lastly, briefly identify your research design.

4. Method

In this section you should discuss how you are going to meet the goals discussed in the introduction. This portion of the proposal is broken down further into questions you should answer within each subsection.

Participants

• • Who are your participants going to be? (i.e., will you need to select your participants on the basis of their gender, age education, race, occupation, etc.?)
  • How many participants are you going to have?
  • How are you going to recruit them?
  • Will you need to assign them to groups? If so, how are you going to assign them to groups?
  • If relevant, state how are you going to compensate them?
  • What criteria will you use for participation in your project?

Design

• • What is your research design? What methodology are you going to use?

Procedure

• • What will happen in your study?
  • Where is your study going to take place? (Describe where the data will be collected)
  • Describe your intended data collection procedures.

Materials/Measures/Investigative techniques (answer questions below as appropriate to your study)

• • What materials are you going to use?
  • Do you plan to use interviews, behaviour observation, questionnaires, etc.?  What subtype of each do you plan to employ (e.g., structured vs. unstructured interviews or closed vs. open-ended questions)? Provide details.

or

4. • What materials will you use to manipulate the IV and measure the DV (i.e. you should provide operational definitions for your variables).
   • If appropriate, list all of your variables, which ones are independent or dependent? 
   • If appropriate, explain how are you going to measure your variables? Do you plan to use a standardized instrument or design your own?  Does the instrument have good reliability and validity (discuss)? 
   • Are there any special supplies you require?
   • Do you need an apparatus or device to observe or record behaviour?
5. Expected Results
   • What type of analysis will be performed?
   • If appropriate, explain how the variables will be grouped/scored for analysis?
   • What are the expected findings of your research?
6. Discussion
   • What would be the main take-home message of your research?
   • What are the limitations of your research?
   • What are the strengths of your research?
   • What are the practical implications of your research?
7. References
   • This is your reference list of literature cited in the proposal.

Length: 15-20 double-spaced pages, excluding references.