Master's level Abstracted Outline Chapter 1 for Educational Psychology Integrative Project

The Research Question_________________________________

The Research Problem: _____________________________________

The Significance of the Study: _______________________________

Theory or theories that apply to the concepts associated with the RQ: ________________

A Narrative describing the quantitative approach planned, implications for stakeholders, significance to the scientific community, and a description of expected results. The abstract is one concise paragraph.

Keywords: [Add keywords here.]

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1

Background of the Problem 1

Statement of the Problem 1

Purpose of the Study 1

Significance of the Study 1

Research Questions 1

Definition of Terms 1

Research Design 1

CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 1

Theoretical Orientation for the Study 1

Review of the Literature 1

Synthesis of the Research Findings 1

Critique of Previous Research Methods 1

CHAPTER 3. METHODOLOGY 1

Purpose of the Study 1

Research Design 1

Target Population and Sample 1

Procedures 1

Ethical Considerations 1

CHAPTER 4. EXPECTED FINDINGS/RESULTS 1

CHAPTER 5. DISCUSSION 1

Implications 1

Methodological Strengths and Weaknesses 1

Suggestions for Future Research 1

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION

[Note, the Final draft of Chapter 1 is typically written after the entire project has been completed and just prior to the Abstract. It is important to understand that the project is iterative. You will work on, change and refine all elements of the project. In your initial submission, begin to provide an evidence-based rationale for each of the sections listed below.]

Background of the Problem

Statement of the Problem

Purpose of the Study

Significance of the Study

Research Questions

Definition of Terms

Research Design

[Note, under the Research Design, make mention of the relevant APA Code of Ethics, but not how you intend to address them. How you will address the codes and ensure they are adhered to will be covered in Chapter 3.]

CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW

Theoretical Orientation for the Study

The Literature Review provides detailed information about theory that applies to the research topic, theory that applies to the research method, population(s) studied and key concepts under review. Seminal and current sources are analyzed and evaluated thematically. The research problem is identified.

It is essential that the literature review be organized with reference to themes identified in articles that you have read. It is not acceptable to organize the literature review article by article or one article at a time.

CHAPTER 3. METHODOLOGY

Purpose of the Study

The introductory paragraph addresses the research problem or proposes to fill the gap in the literature. It includes the purpose of the proposed research and presents formally the Research Question. The purpose is to answer the research question. State your Research Question in the form of a question in the introductory paragraph for Chapter 3. As you prepare this section of this chapter review the characteristics of Quantitative Research Questions:

1. Quantitative research questions point to empirical methods that will test the hypothesis or hypotheses associated with the question.

2. Quantitative research questions have independent and dependent variables.

3. Quantitative research questions measure relationships or correlations and/or manipulate natural phenomena through experimentation.

4. Quantitative data are presented in numerical categories or quantities.

5. Quantitative research questions do not interpret socially constructed themes, narratives and observations.

Research Question and Hypotheses

Research Design

Target Population and Sample

As you describe the target population you will include:

Information about the number of participants (include a Power Analysis).

Information about inclusion and exclusion criteria; that is you will describe how you decide who can participate in the study and provide data and who cannot.

Information about the planned recruitment strategy.

Information about the sampling design and randomization strategies.

Procedures

Information about how the participants will be identified and contacted.

Information about materials used for data collection.

Information about the instruments used to collect data.

Information about the location where data collection takes place.

Information about the time required for data collection.

Information about the order of steps taken to obtain data.

Describe how the data will be statistically analyzed (Analysis).

Describes strategies for analyzing and interpreting numerical data. Analyses of data is the section of the paper where strategies that support the interpretation of numerical information about the data collected. Typically, statistical methods are used to interpret components of natural phenomena that represent natural phenomena. The analysis section of the methods presents and addresses evidence of validity, reliability, and generalizability discovered in the process of interpreting the data.

Ethical Considerations

For the expected findings/results, use the literature reviewed in Chapter 2 To anticipate findings that are likely to result from the collection and interpretation of data. Note: that some results that are not expected are possible and should be addressed in this chapter.

Implications

Implications of the potential results are discussed, implications for wide range of potential stakeholders is addressed, significance to the scientific community and the potential to address the research problem is discussed, limitations of the study are addressed, and suggestions for future research are offered.

Methodological Strengths and Weaknesses

Suggestions for Future Research

The suggestions for future research should close the gap on the methodological limitations.

References

List references using APA format (APA, 2010, p.169).