Physical Security Final Research Project

In this assignment you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:

• Develop a research question that address contemporary issues in physical security by

applying appropriate technological theories

• Interpret research to identify patterns for drawing evidence-based conclusions

• Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative research methods for their appropriate

applications to data-informed decision making in physical security

• Articulate the importance of the scientific method for ethically conducting research in the

technological field

•

Requirements

Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed in 750 to 1000 words using

APA format. Your title page and reference list are not included. Information that is not

common knowledge must be cited.

A. Introduction: Provide a brief overview of the contemporary issue you selected and its

importance with respect to a trend in the field of physical security. Include necessary

information to set the stage. Consider how the issue plays a larger role in the field

information technology.

B. Research Question: In this section, you will develop a research question informed by

your previous literature analysis. This question will assist you by focusing on future

research in a specific area of information technology.

a. Develop a research question that addresses the contemporary physical security

issue you selected, based on your previous research analysis. For example, you

may create a research question that asks, “How can the strategies of physical

security enhance safety in public places?”

b. Outline the existing assumptions and limitations of the research question. For

example, what are specific aspects of the issue, and in what ways will your

research question address those limitations? Consider the influence of bias, the

length of time required for observation to provide reliable information, and

whether or not the population sample accurately represents the research question.

c. Select a theory that best explains the reasoning behind your research question. In

other words, use technological theory to explain why your research question is

necessary to research further. Justify your selection.

I. Analysis & Methodology: In this section you will conduct research on your previously

selected or faculty approved physical security issue. You will summarize the research and

analyze the research designs to identify their advantages and disadvantages, informing

possible future research of the issue.

a. Summarize each of your research articles, identifying common themes and

research methodologies and discussing key findings for each article.

b. What are the advantages of qualitative and quantitative research

methodologies, and a combination of multiple research methods, in informing

decision making about your chosen issue? Provide specific examples from the

research to support your determinations.

c. What are the disadvantages of qualitative and quantitative research

methodologies, and a combination of multiple research methods, in informing

decision making about your chosen issue? Provide specific examples from the

research to support your determinations.

d. Draw connections between the research design and the methodology used in the

chosen research. How does the research design inform the methodology used, or

vice versa?

e. What methods do you believe practitioners applied to this study to protect the

validity of their investigations and not project their own assumptions on the

empirical evidence? Consider how this research could have been done in an

ethical manner.

f. What were the ethical considerations in conducting research in this particular field

and in addressing this issue? Provide examples from your research to support your

response.

II. Conclusions and Future Direction: To conclude, you will identify patterns in the

research, discuss the importance of using the scientific method in research, and consider

the future direction of research on the topic.

a. What patterns did you identify in the research, and what conclusions could you

form about your research question based on these patterns? Ensure that you use

both qualitative and quantitative studies when identifying patterns. What

conclusions might you make about your research question based on these

patterns?

b. How did you use the scientific method to ensure you conducted your research

ethically? Provide specific examples. For example, how did you use the scientific

method to ensure that you did not project your own assumptions on the empirical

evidence?

c. In what ways would you approach this research differently in the future? How

could you expand on this research to consider new developments?