LAB REPORT ( Self Design & Simulated Data Points ) 750 Words Only
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BSC302_TSA_ResearchReportGuide.pdf
BSC302: Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
Research Report Guide
Trimester 3, 2020
Unit coordinator: Associate Professor Guillermo Campitelli
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This information should be read in conjunction with the online learning materials which can by found on your MyUnits page.
© Published by Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, July 2020, by Guillermo Campitelli. This publication is copyright. Except as permitted by the Copyright Act no part of it may in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or any other means be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or be broadcast or transmitted without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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Introduction
The assignment consists of choosing a psychological causal model developed by other researchers (or developing a new psychological causal model), designing a psychological experiment to compare this model to a simpler one, simulating data, organising and analysing those data, and presenting a research report, including graphs. The assignment contains 3 elements:
1. Two graphical psychological causal models. 2. An organised data frame of simulated data. 3. A research report of maximum 750 words that follows the guidelines of
the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 7th Edition.
Psychological causal models
In a separate page from the research report, present two psychological causal models. One of the models (complex model) contains two causal variables and one consequence variable, and the other model (simple model) contains only one of the causal variables of the complex model and the same consequence variable as the complex model. The models must have the structure shown below:
Complex model
Simple model
Variable Y Variable X
Variable Z
Variable Y Variable X
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Data frame
Also separated from the extended abstract, present a data frame in a table with the following characteristics:
Column 1: Participant number or ID
Column 2: Participant’s age
Column 3: Participant’s gender
Column 4: Independent variable 1
Column 5: Independent variable 2
Column 6: Dependent variable
You will produce the values for each of these columns (variables) by the method of data simulation. Week 6 is fully dedicated to the research report, and a full explanation of the data simulation process will be provided there.
Research report
The research report should contain the following sections:
Introduction: Explains the rationale of the study, including the psychological causal model. It states the hypothesis tested in the study in terms of which model will receive more support from the data. [approximately between 140 and 190 words]
Method: Contains the details necessary for another researcher to replicate the study. It includes the subsections “Participants”, “Material” “Procedure”, “Data Analysis”. [approximately between 240 and 290 words]
Results: It presents descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Bayesian linear regression and Bayes factors), including graphs. [the graphs are NOT included in the word count] [approximately between 240 and 290 words]
Discussion: It indicates which model received more support from the data, whether the hypothesis was supported by the data, and it relates the results of the present study with previous research. It also discusses the limitations of the study and offers suggestions for future research. [approximately between 80 and 130 words]
References: A list of the references used in the previous sections. (This part is NOT included in the word count). You must include three references; no more and no less than three.
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Word count
The research report must not have more than 750 words. The marker will stop reading the report at 750 words; the rest of the material beyond 750 words will not be considered part of the report.
Submission
Information will be posted on LMS to give you instructions as to how to submit your research report. The only way to submit your assignment is online through LMS. I will post an announcement closer to the submission date with a link to the folder where you can submit your assignment.
Marks
The following rubric will be used to mark the assignment. The maximum mark is 45.
Percentage of the total
mark in each
section
100% 75% 50% 25% 0% Mark
Causal models
Plausible models. Causal relations between variables and causal agent included.
Plausible models. Causal relations or causal agent are not present or incorrect.
Plausible models. Causal relations and causal agent are not present or incorrect.
Plausible models.
Implausible models (e.g., intelligence causes age)
0-4
Research design
All the properties of the design are included.
All but one of the properties of the design are included.
Two of the properties of the design are not included.
A design is provided, but it is not appropriate.
No research design is mentioned.
0-2
Data frame
Plausible data. All the variables are correctly labelled.
Plausible data. One variable is not correctly labelled.
Plausible data. Two variables are not correctly labelled.
Plausible data. Two variables are not correctly labelled.
Implausible data.
0-2
Introduction
Critical examination of literature. Hypothesis clearly stated and related to the psychological models.
Critical examination of literature. Hypothesis clearly stated. No relation hypothesis- psychological models.
Critical examination of literature. Hypothesis NOT clearly stated.
Examination of the literature is not critical.
Examination of the literature or the hypothesis are absent.
0-4
Method Participants, material and procedure and
One of the sections (i.e., Participants,
Two of the sections (i.e., Participants,
Three of the sections (i.e., Participants,
One or more sections are missing.
0-15
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Data analysis are clearly explained.
Material, Procedure, Data analysis) is not clearly explained.
Material, Procedure, Data analysis) are not clearly explained.
Material, Procedure, Data analysis) is clearly explained.
Results
Sound data analysis and accurate report of results in relation to the model comparison. Correct graphs.
Sound data analysis, and accurate report of results. Relation to model is missing. Correct graphs.
Sound data analysis. There is a mistake in the report, or one graphs is not correct.
There is a mistake in the data analysis, or more than one graph is not correct.
The data analysis is misleading, or no graphs are presented.
0-15
Discussion
Clear statement of support (or not) of the hypothesis/m odel. Discussion of the psychological model and other research.
Clear statement of support (or not) of the hypothesis/mo del. Discussion of other research. The psychological model is only mentioned.
Clear statement of support (or not) of the hypothesis/mo del. Discussion of other research.
The statement of support (or not) of the hypothesis/m odel is not clear. Discussion of other research.
The statement of support (or not) of the hypothesis/ model is not clear. No discussion of other research.
0-3
Writing
Clear and coherent writing. Use of academic language. No errors of spelling, punctuation or grammar.
Clear and coherent writing. Use of academic language. Very few errors of spelling, punctuation or grammar.
Clear and coherent writing. Some language is not academic. Very few errors of spelling, punctuation or grammar.
Clear but not coherent writing. Some language is not academic. Very few errors of spelling, punctuation or grammar.
Incoherent writing. Some language is not academic. Errors of spelling, punctuation or grammar.
-10-0
APA guidelines
Only a minor error in the use of APA guidelines.
Two or three minor errors in the use of APA guidelines.
Mostly complying APA guidelines with several errors in the use of APA guidelines.
Sporadic use of APA guidelines.
APA guidelines were not used.
-10-0
Note: For example, if your causal model deserves 75% of the total mark, the mark for this section will be 75% of 4 = 3. Writing and APA guidelines are more holistic measures. The marker can reduce up to 20% from the marks obtained in the other categories.
