QUANTITATIVE METHOD RESEARCH 9 PAGES

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Section and Quality Indicators

1

Cover Page Formatted correctly

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Abstract

A. Describes the research problem and why it is important

B. States research purpose

C. Summarizes research question(s)

D. Briefly describes the research design, methods and data analysis procedures

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Section I: Introduction

1. Clearly demonstrates the significance of problem and worthiness of the study.

2. A summary of the problem is well articulated and substantiates the study with references to more detailed discussions in Section 2.

3. The problem statement describes the need for increased understanding about the issue to be studied.

4. The nature of the study, specific research questions, and research objectives are briefly and clearly described. Reference is made to more detailed discussions in Section 3.

5. The purpose of the study is described in a logical, explicit manner.

6. The conceptual framework shows which ideas from the contemporary scholarship support/justify the research being conducted

7. Key terms are operationally defined

8. Assumptions, Limitations, Scope, and Delimitations provide descriptions of:

A. Facts assumed to be true but not verified

B. Potential weaknesses of the study

C. The bounds of the study

9. The Significance of the Study is described in terms of:

A. How the study can be applied to the local problem

B. Professional application

C. Positive social change (improvement of human or social conditions by promoting the worth, dignity, and development of individuals, communities, organizations, institutions, cultures, or societies)

10. Section I ends with a transition statement that contains a summary or key points of the study and an overview of the content of the remaining sections in the study.

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Section II: Literature Review

1. There is an introduction that describes:

A. The content of the review the review

B. The organization of the review

C. The strategy used for searching the literature

2. The review of related research and literature is clearly related to the problem statement as expressed in the research questions and objectives

3. The review of the related research and literature includes:

A. Comparisons/contrasts of different points of view of different research outcomes

B. The relationship of the study to the previous empirical research that has come before it

4. The review contains concise summaries of literatures that help

A. Define the most important aspects of the study;

B. Substantiate the rationale of conceptual framework for the study

5. There is a literature based description of the potential themes and perceptions explored in the study

7. Literature related to the research method is reviewed

8. Literature related to the use of differing methodologies to investigating the outcomes of interest is reviewed

9. The review is an integrated, critical essay on the most relevant and current published knowledge on the topic. The review is organized around major themes.

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Section III. Research Method – Quantitative Studies

1. Introduction includes a clear outline of the major areas of the section

3. Setting and Sample

A. Describes the population from which the sample will be or was drawn.

B. Describes and defends the sampling method including the sampling frame used.

C. Describes and defends the sample size.

D. Describes the eligibility criteria for study participants.

E. Describes characteristics of the selected sample.

4. If a treatment is used, it is described clearly and in detail.

5. Instrumentation and Materials

A. Presents descriptions of instrumentation or data collection tools to include: name of instrument; type of instrument; concepts measured by instrument; how scores are calculated and their meaning; processes for assessment of reliability and validity of the instrument(s); processes needed to complete instruments by participants; where raw data are or will be available (appendices, tables, or by request from the researcher).

B. Includes a detailed description of data that comprise each variable in the study.

6. Data Collection and Analysis

A. Includes an explanation of descriptive and/or inferential analyses used in the study, such as: nature of the scale for each variable; statements of hypotheses related to each research question; description of parametric, nonparametric, or descriptive analytical tools used; and description of data collection processes.

B. Description of any pilot study results, if applicable.

7. Measures taken from protection of participants’ rights are summarized. The Role of the Researcher in the data collection and data analysis procedures is described. The role of the researcher is described in terms of past/current professional roles at the setting, past/current professional relationships with the participants, how these past/current roles and relationships are likely to affect data collection.

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Section 4: Findings – Quantitative Studies

1. Section 4 is structured around the research questions and/or hypotheses addressed in the study, reporting findings related to each.

2. Research tools:

A. Data collection instruments have been used correctly.

B. Measures obtained are reported clearly, following standard procedures.

C. Adjustments or revisions to the use of standardized research instruments have been justified, consistent with standard practices, and any effects or limitations on the interpretation of findings are clearly described.

3. Overall, data analysis (presentation, interpretation, explanation) is consistent with the research questions or hypotheses and underlying theoretical/conceptual framework of the study.

4. Data analyses

A. logically and sequentially address all research questions or hypotheses.

B. where appropriate, outcomes of hypothesis-testing procedures are clearly reported (e.g., findings support or fail to support....).

C. do not contain any evident statistical errors.

5. Tables and Figures

A. are as self-descriptive as possible, informative, formatted to conform to standard dissertation styles.

B. are directly related to and referred to within the narrative text included in the section.

C. have immediately adjacent comments.

D. are properly identified (titled or captioned).

E. show copyright permission (if not in the public domain).

6. The comments on findings address observed consistencies and inconsistencies and discuss possible alternate interpretations.

7. In a concluding section of Section 4, outcomes are logically and systematically summarized and interpreted in relation to their importance to the research questions and hypotheses.

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Section 5: Discussion

1. The section begins with a brief Overview of why and how the study was done, reviewing the questions or issues being addressed and a brief summary of the findings

2. The Interpretation of Findings

A. includes conclusions that address all of the research questions,

B. contains references to outcomes in Section 4,

C. covers all the data,

D. is bounded by the evidence collected, and

E. relates the findings to a larger body of literature on the topic, including the conceptual/theoretical framework,

F. includes a discussion of the practical applications of the findings.

3. The Implications for Social Change are clearly grounded in the significance section of Section 1 and outcomes presented in Section 4. The implications are expressed in terms of tangible improvements to individuals, communities, organizations, institutions, cultures, or societies.

4. Recommendations for Action.

A. should flow logically from the conclusions and

B. state who needs to pay attention to the results, and

C. indicate how the results might be disseminated.

5. Recommendations for Further Study point to topics that need closer examination and may generate a new round of questions.

7. The work closes with a strong concluding statement making the “take-home message” clear to the reader

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General Comments: Applies to the Entire Manuscript

Writing Style and Composition:

The research study is written in scholarly language (accurate, balanced, objective, and tentative). The writing is clear, precise, and avoids redundancy. Statements are specific and topical sentences are established for paragraphs. The flow of words is smooth and comprehensible. Bridges are established between ideas.

Organization and Form

The research study

A. is logically and comprehensively organized, using subheadings where appropriate.

B. has a professional, scholarly appearance.

C. is written with correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

D. includes citations for the following: direct quotations, paraphrasing, facts, and references to research studies.

E. in-text citations are found in the reference list.