Psychologyy

Section 1. Topic Endorsement

1.1 Research Topic (2 paragraphs)

FIRST PARAGRAPH: Describe the specific topic to be studied.

SECOND PARAGRAPH: describe the significance of this topic to your program/field (e.g., Psychology, Counseling, Business, Technology, Public Service Leadership, Education, etc.) AND your specialization within your program.

The Research Topic should be correctly formed:

· The Research Topic should be appropriate for the specialization.

· The Research Topic should use appropriate language for key concepts/phenomena.

· Relationships between/among the concepts should be clearly specified (e.g., correlation).

· The target population should be named

· The concepts should be appropriately focused.

· Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

· Use APA style in citing all resources.

Please single space using Times Roman 11 pt throughout the form – the boxes will expand as you input text. After you complete the various sections, delete instructions in red

Research Topic

Courseroom Unit 4 materials – u4s1, u4s2 – Complete the Research Topic template. Name:

Key Term/ Construct 1 –

Definition per scholarly literature (include citation)

Key Term/ Construct 2 –

Definition per scholarly literature(include citation)

Key Term/ Construct 3 –

Definition per scholarly literature(include citation)

Population studied:

It should not be a vulnerable population

One paragraph - Describe the topic of your study clearly (supported with citations). Start with a senetence “The research topic of this study is …” Include psychological key terms or constructs, definitions of key terms as found in academic journals (supported with citations), and population of interest.

Study Significance

One paragraph - explain the relationship to your specialization (e.g. general psychology) with cited support. Use the document “Programs of Research” to determine the fields of study within your specialization. Also position your topic within a specific APA division:

https://www.apa.org/about/division

Briefly describe the objectives of that specific APA division and how your topic is related to those objectives.

1.2 Research Problem (1 Paragraph)

Write a brief statement that fully describes the problem being addressed.

In simplified terms, the research problem should take this form:

“The research literature on _________ indicates that we know ________, we know __________, but we do not know ______________.”

The Research Problem should be correctly stated:

· Existing literature and key findings should be summarized

· Gaps or problems in the existing literature should be clearly formulated

· The Research Problem should be explicitly stated, not implied.

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

This section should be a single succinct well written paragraph that encapsulates the main variables of the study. When someone asks the question “what is this study about?” or “why are you doing this research?” this would be the 15 second answer that highlights what the problem is and why it is being addressed.

See unit 7 assignment 1 instructions and assignment

The research problem establishes the need for the study based on a gap in the professional research literature. The research problem specifically states that gap by focusing on some aspects of your topic that are not known. Therefore, you start with the statement:

“The research literature on __(your topic)_______ indicates that we know _(cite results of studies you have found)_______, and we know __(cite more results of relevant studies)________, but we do not know _(here you state the gap in research)_____________.”

Specialization Chair Topic Endorsement

(To be completed by Specialization Chair/Designee after Section 1 is approved by Faculty Mentor/Colloquia Faculty)

Chairs: Please insert your electronic signature to certify that topic and title are appropriate to your specialization and return to [email protected] for Dissertation Learners, or to the Colloquia Faculty for Colloquia Learners.

Signature:

Date:

Comments:

Section 2. Research Overview

2.1 Research Problem Background (3 paragraphs)

Provide a brief SUMMARY of your review of the research literature on the topic. This should include citations from at least 10 articles, but should indicate that you have performed a full review of the literature (minimum of 75 articles) on the topic. This should be demonstrated by providing a statement about the body of existing literature on the topic, then, summarizing recent research findings on the topic, highlighting the findings that are most relevant to your proposed study, demonstrating how your proposed research could add to the existing literature on the topic. Be sure to provide appropriate in text citations and include references in the reference section. Subheadings help ensure that each component is fully addressed. Address each main variable for your study in the literature.

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

• This will not be your full dissertation literature review but an initial foundation. You will continue to add to your literature review throughout your dissertation process.

This section is the foundation for the dissertation proposal. This section should use separate subheadings (typically to focus on each variable in your proposed study) to demonstrate that the proposed topic is logically derived from the literature. Provide a summary of your literature (relevant research studies) review – 5 - 10 studies.

Helpful units and assignments:

U4a1 – Literature Review presentation – click on transcript to read

U5a2 questions for critical analysis – the lit review where you submitted 5 articles

For every study include the following elements: 1. Research question or Research purpose  2. Research method or data analysis (qualitative or quantitative

3. Research sample – Include number of participants as (N=…)  5. Key findings, results, conclusions 7. Note gaps in the literature that provide the rationale for your study, to fill the gap in the literature.

2.2 Research Question(s)

List the primary Research Question and any Sub-Questions that the proposed study will address.

Your Research Question (s) should be correctly formed:

· The Research Question(s) should be aligned with your Research Problem, the Research Topic, and the Dissertation Title.

· There should be separate Research Question(s) and/or subquestions identified for each intended analysis.

· The Research Question(s) should be phrased in a way that it can be answered by the intended methodology and analyses.

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

Please make sure the questions are logically derived from the literature and materials presented in the earlier sections of this plan. Make sure each of the variables and connections presented in the research questions are thoroughly presented and discussed earlier in the research plan.

2.3 Purpose of the Study

State the purpose of the study. The purpose of the study will be to answer the research question in order to solve the research problem and to contribute information about the wider social or community problem to a specific audience or audiences.

Note:

Describe the purpose using the language of your specific study, topic, research problem, and research question.

Provide a statement indicating how the study will answer the research question, demonstrating how it is aligned with the research problem and how it will contribute to the literature.

2.4 Methodology and Basic Design Overview

Provide an overview of the research methodology and design that you are proposing.

· State your rationale for studying the Research Problem with a QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.

· State your study’s RESEARCH DESIGN (non-experimental, experimental, quasi-experimental, etc.), and the rationale for selecting that design (why the design is appropriate for answering the Research Question).

· Briefly describe the data collection, statistical models, and analysis that will be used to conduct the study

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

It is important that you can demonstrate that you understand why the method was chosen and that you are able to support your rationale with cited materials. Be sure to conclude this section with a clear reason for why this method/approach is the best one for your study.

2.5 Dissertation Title

Your Dissertation Title should be correctly formed:

· Dissertation Title should be aligned with your Research Problem (1.4) and Research Question (1.5), (use the same terminology for all).

· The Dissertation Title should reflect the key variables or constructs to be studied.

· The Dissertation Title should reflect the method to be employed in the research.

· The Dissertation Title should be concise (12 words or less).

Section 3. Research Theory

3.1 Theoretical Foundations

Briefly describe the primary theoretical basis for the study. Describe the major theory (or theories) that will serve as the lens through which you will view the research problem and research questions and provide any corresponding citations.

NOTE: The theoretical foundation should be a theory from your discipline that supports your topic. In doing so, certain constructs (explanatory ideas) from that theory would be used to support the research focus.

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

If more than one theory is presented, include an introductory paragraph highlighting which theories will be discussed. Then, use paragraphs with a subheading for each theory discussed. Include relevant citations.

Helpful units and assignments

Unit 8 – u8s2 – Determining a theoretical framework. Answer the questions posed

Unit 8 d1 – identify the theory, provide a brief description

3.2 Contributions to Theory

Describe how your study will contribute to theory in your field by meeting one or more of these four criteria.

1. The study should generate new theory.

2. The study should refine or add to an existing theory.

3. The study should test to confirm or refute a theory.

4. The study should expand theory by telling us something new about application or processes

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

The material in this section should directly address the study’s specific contribution to theory. If it supports more than one criteria, use a subheading for each criteria and discuss how the study will support each one selected. Cite sources to support your thinking.

3.3 Theoretical Implications

Describe the theoretical implications you believe your study could have for your field AND your specialization area. This will be the theoretical framework(s) to be used in conceptualizing the study and analyzing the data.

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

All dissertations must be rooted in theory and at a minimum, identify theories that contribute to, impact, affect or will be affected by the research. This section should focus on two main areas: 1. Identifying the theory(ies) that are the foundation for the study and 2. How the study will advance/alter, develop a new theory. This section should clearly be connected to your specialization and field.

Very similar to the response above.

3.4 Practical Implications

Please describe the specific practical implications that may result from this research that can be used by any or all of the following stakeholders: the population being studied, professionals for whom this topic pertains, and/or the wider community itself.

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

Often, the discussion section of other similar studies will provide insight into how your study could have practical implications for the field. Please seek reference materials that could be cited to support your rationale for the practical implications you see for your study. “Practical” means applications of your study translated in various fields. Some examples: the impact for counselors, educators, patients, learners, academia, professional societies.

Section 4. Research Methodology

4.1 Research Design

Describe the research design you will use.

Start by specifically stating the type of quantitative research design you will use (non-experimental, quasi-experimental, experimental), include the exact name or type of design to be used, and describe the exact method(s) (archival, survey, observations) you will use to collect the data. Briefly describe how the study will be conducted.

· The Research Design should be clearly identified.

· The Research Design should be appropriate to the Research Question.

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

This section addresses two things: research design and research method.

Design: List the exact name of the quantitative approach , briefly describe it and indicate why your study falls into this classification (e.g. The proposed research is experimental (insert citation). Experimental research is defined as…(insert citation). This study is considered experimental for the following reason(s)…).

Method: Discuss the methods that will be utilized to collect data and why they are appropriate. Cite sources to support your thinking.

Make sure this section aligns with earlier sections of the research plan. Be certain that the proposed research design and methodology can answer your research questions.

4.2 Population and Sample

Describe the characteristics of the larger population from which the sample (study participants) will be drawn. Include specific data/statistics.

State the estimated sample size and your method of determining the sample size needed for the study.

State the sampling strategy (probability or non-probability), the specific method (random, purposive, convenience, etc.), then describe the sample inclusion and exclusion criteria.

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

Remember that the term “sample population” should not be used. There is a sample and there is a population. Discuss each separately using a subheading for each. Include your power analysis or approach for calculating your sample size and an explanation for how your sample size was determined (e.g. effect size, etc.) Be sure to use academic citations to support your decisions.

4.3 Ethical Considerations

Describe any ethical considerations given the sample, population, and/or topic.

Please explain as fully as possible (i.e., How do you plan to protect human participants while identifying the sample, while collecting the data, while analyzing the data, after data are collected, and during data storage?)

Is the proposed population or research topic greater than minimal risk?

|_| Yes |_| No

If yes, has the researcher had a consultation with the IRB office?

|_| Yes |_| No

If yes, please paste the IRB’s e-mail response or a summary of the response here.

• Use current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, PRIMARY resources to support statements.

• Use APA style in citing all resources.

If your population is vulnerable and therefore potentially at greater risk, consult with IRB. Include here the response received from IRB

If population is not vulnerable, state so, and also state that the study is minimal risk for participants.

See unit 6 materials

Section 6. References

In the field below, provide your references for the research about your topic, and key theorists/researchers associated with the selected methodology. You will continue to build on this list of references for your Chapter 1 Background of the Problem, Chapter 2 Literature Review and Chapter 5, where you will discuss your findings in the context of the literature.

· Use APA style for all references.