Research Proposal
[WLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] [CLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Prior to beginning work on this final paper, review your preliminary presentation, any feedback received on it, and any course materials relevant to your research idea.
The written research proposal will be created based on a narrowly defined aspect of the topic selected in Week 1. A research proposal is a detailed plan for a specific study to be conducted at a future time. It is the document that potential researchers typically submit to an institutional review board (IRB) for ethical review and approval, and/or to funding agencies to secure financial support for a research effort. This is a more detailed version of the research plan you presented in Week 5.
The following headings for the required sections and subsections must appear in the paper. In accordance with APA Style, all references listed must be cited in the text of the paper.
Introduction
Introduce the research topic, explain why it is important, and present an appropriately and narrowly defined research question and/or hypothesis.
Literature Review
Evaluate the published research on the chosen topic including a minimum of three peer-reviewed research articles.
Summarize the current state of knowledge on the topic, making reference to the findings of previous research studies.
Briefly mention the research methods that have previously been used to study the topic.
State whether the proposed study is a replication of a previous study or a new approach employing methods that have not been used before.
Be sure to properly cite all sources in APA style.
Methods
Design: Create a feasible research design that incorporates appropriate methods to address the topic. Because this is a plan for research that has not yet been conducted, the Methods section should be written in the future tense and should not contain any hypothetical results.
Identify the specific research design and indicate whether it is experimental or nonexperimental.
Evaluate the chosen design and explain why this design is feasible and appropriate for the topic and how it will provide the information needed to answer the research question.
Cite sources on research methodology to support these choices. Include a minimum of two peer-reviewed sources.
Participants: Identify and describe the sampling strategy to be used to recruit participants for the study. Estimate the number of participants needed and explain why this sampling method is appropriate for the research design and approach.
Procedure/Measures: Apply the scientific method by describing the steps to be taken in carrying out the study. Identify any test, questionnaire, or measurement instrument to be utilized. If an existing published instrument will be employed, briefly describe it and cite the source. If an original questionnaire, survey, or test will be created for the project, describe the types of information that will be collected with it and explain how the validity and reliability of the instrument will be established. If such an instrument will not be used, describe how the data will be collected for the study.
Data Analysis: Describe the statistical techniques (if quantitative) or the analysis procedure (if qualitative) to be used to analyze the data. Cite at least one peer-reviewed source on the chosen analysis technique.
Ethical Issues
Analyze the impact of ethical concerns on the proposed study, such as confidentiality, deception, informed consent, potential harm to participants, conflict of interest, IRB approval, etc. After analyzing the ethical issues that apply to the project, indicate what will be done to handle these concerns.
Conclusion
Briefly summarize the major points of the paper and reiterate why the proposed study is needed.
Note: The Master of Arts in Psychology program is utilizing the Folio portfolio tool as a repository for student scholarly work in the form of signature assignments completed within the program. After receiving feedback for this research proposal, please implement any changes recommended by the instructor, go to your Folio account and upload the revised research proposal to the portfolio.
Use the Setting Up and Using FolioLinks to an external site. guide to create an account if you do not already have one. The upload of signature assignments will take place after completing each course. Be certain to upload revised signature assignments throughout the program as the portfolio and its contents will be used in other courses and may be used by individual students as a professional resource tool.
