ITCC 500 Ass # 4 WK 6 Hypothesis and Research Design
DrAwesome
ResearchDesignGuidance.docxOnce you complete the study, write in the past tense instead of the future tense.
Data Collection
The intent of this section was to explain what you would do to collect your data. It was not intended for you to explain what you did as you did not carry out the full study in this course.
Data Collection (secondary literature, archives, interviews, surveys, etc.). For example, what instrument will you use (survey, document analysis, interview, etc.)?
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Restate your hypotheses research questions for the reader.
Hypotheses or Research Questions
There are several different hypotheses that this paper intends to either prove or disprove throughout the course of the literature review.
H1. A degree is more beneficial to IT professionals that are seeking employment with a large corporation.
H2. A technical certification is more beneficial to IT professionals seeking employment with a company that specializes in a niche or very specific realm of technology.
H3. There are different Information Technology related fields that are more condusive to those that hold both technical certifications and degrees.
H4. Depending on the degree or certification, the level of pay that can be expected is similar.
H5. Some employers prefer a degree to be on a resume because it is universally understood as being a significant accomplishment, whereas not all certifications are as well-known.
H6. There is no guarantee that an individual with a degree or certification has a complete understanding of how to apply what was learned.
H7. It is cheaper for companies to pay for their employees to obtain certifications instead of paying for them to complete a degree.
H8. Ideally it is best for an employee to obtain a degree as well as multiple technical certifications.
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Provide a level 2 heading here entitled: Summary of Analysis Procedures
The goal of this section is for you to provide a summary of how you would analyze the data collected using descriptive statistics (Mean, Median and Mode), frequency distribution, T-test, ANOVA, Chi Square, Correlation, etc.
OR
For the qualitative portion, how you used any of the following for your analysis: CHARTING, CODING, CATEGORIZING, AND MODELING.
The goal is to make this process clear to the reader!
TABLE/FIGURES
1. Immediately after the Table of Contents, you should have a List of Tables, followed by a List of Figures.
2. The List of Tables, List of Figures, and Abstract are front matter and should be numbered with lower case Roman numerals.
3. Figures are labeled immediately beneath the figure and take this format:
Figure 2.1 Rationale and organization of the Literature Review chapter
4. Tables are labeled immediately above the table and take this format:
Table 2.1
Phases in Gunawardena, Lowe & Anderson’s (1997) Interaction Analysis Model (IAM)
5. If a table spans more than one page, repeat the table number and the word “continued” on subsequent pages, but not the actual table title, like this:
Table 2.7 - continued
DISCUSSION
Good effort, but let’s focus this section as you will need to do for the Results section. Note this section is not for you to provide another literature review.
Research Questions
The purpose of the Discussion is to state your interpretations and opinions, explain the
implications of your findings, and make suggestions for future research. Its main
function is to answer the questions posed in the Introduction, explain how the results
support the answers and, how the answers fit in with existing knowledge on the topic.
The Discussion is considered the heart of the paper and usually requires several writing
attempts.
3. Begin by re-stating the hypothesis you were testing and answering the questions
posed in the introduction.
4. Support the answers with the results. Explain how your results relate to expectations
and to the literature, clearly stating why they are acceptable and how they are
consistent or fit in with previously published knowledge on the topic.
6. Describe the patterns, principles, and relationships shown by each major
finding/result and put them in perspective. The sequencing of providing this information
is important; first state the answer, then the relevant results, then cite the work of
others. If necessary, point the reader to a figure or table to enhance the “story”.
7. Defend your answers, if necessary, by explaining both why your answer is
satisfactory and why others are not. Only by giving both sides to the argument can you
make your explanation convincing.
8. Discuss and evaluate conflicting explanations of the results. This is the sign of a good
discussion.
9. Discuss any unexpected findings. When discussing an unexpected finding, begin the
paragraph with the finding and then describe it.
10. Identify potential limitations and weaknesses and comment on the relative
importance of these to your interpretation of the results and how they may affect the
validity of the findings. When identifying limitations and weaknesses, avoid using an
apologetic tone.
11. Summarize concisely the principal implications of the findings, regardless of
statistical significance.
12. Provide recommendations (no more than two) for further research. Do not offer
suggestions which could have been easily addressed within the study, as this shows
there has been inadequate examination and interpretation of the data.
13. Explain how the results and conclusions of this study are important and how they
influence our knowledge or understanding of the problem being examined. (“San Francisco Edit,” n.d., para. 1,6-7, 9-16).
San Francisco Edit. (n.d.). Fourteen steps to writing an effective discussion section. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfedit.net%2Fdiscussion.pdf&ei=8T5DVca2Hse0ggStgYGACA&usg=AFQjCNFL8hPk8Hdrr7D3YYTVfJv_RGLzHA&sig2=tEhheXywoWZ1H-s8XrLMrg&bvm=bv.92189499,d.eXY
RESULTS
Use a table or model to map relationships. Note, the intent of the Results section is to provide data, charts, figures, tables, and models and not much narrative content. Save the bulk of your explanation for the Discussion Section.
The purpose of a Results section is to present the key results of your research without interpreting their meaning. Organize the data in the Results section in either chronological order according to
the Methods or in order of most to least important. Within each paragraph, the order of
most to least important results should be followed.
3. Determine whether the data are best presented in the form of text, figures, graphs, or
tables.
4. Summarize your findings and point the reader to the relevant data in the text, figures
and/or tables. The text should complement the figures or tables, not repeat the same
information.
11. Provide a heading for each figure and table. Depending on the journal the table
titles and figure legends should be listed separately or located above the table or below
the figure. Each figure and table must be sufficiently complete that it could stand on its
own, separate from the text.
12. Write with accuracy, brevity and clarity.
(“San Francisco Edit,” n.d., para. 1, 4-5, 12-13).
Source:
San Francisco Edit. (n.d.).Twelve steps to writing an effective results. Retrieved from Sectionhttp://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfedit.net%2Fresults.pdf&ei=CjtDVbeOF8LFgwSijIHwBg&usg=AFQjCNEstM5xaiYa5Fa_l-zKduZx0096rQ&sig2=4vpEzBeP5MlD-aUc3REOLw&bvm=bv.92189499,d.eXY
APA Checklist
Remember, you will use this format for your capstone with no page number on the first page.
Please note that pages after the title page should have a running head that looks like this: TITLE OF YOUR PAPER
The title should be no longer than12 words in length and contain no abbreviations.
All letters of title are capitalized: LEARNING STYLES
Thereafter, the title appears on each page in the header with only page numbers changing in the right margin. Only use the number!
Remember to include your keywords at the end of your abstract and do not indent the abstract.
The abstract must include the following components: purpose of the research, methodology, findings, and conclusion. The body of the abstract is limited to 150-200 words (no less than 150 and no more than 200).
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
Use the appropriate level headings for your paper. For all major headings, use level 1, use level 2 for your main points and use level 3 for your subpoints—see image.
Class good effort overall on your writing assignment! However, please note the following below (some items repeated for emphasis):
See the Capstone Manual and submit based on the examples provided if applicable!
Please, remember to include the following in your Introduction using level 2 heading:
· Problem,
· Purpose,
· Research questions,
· Significance of the study,
· definitions of terms that you have,
· Limitations/delimitations (you may also provide in the Methodology area as well),
· assumptions,
· Theoretical framework
Need more details of what type of assessment you will use.
There are a couple of different ways that you may analyze the data,
Quantitative and qualitative data make up your database. This is the core from which statistics will be generated. There are many types to choose from: Descriptive Statistics (Mean, Median and Mode) T-test ANOVA Chi Square Correlation Scattergram Multiple Regression Reference guide to statistical tests (Carroll, n.d., para. 3).
•Identification and operationalization (measurement) of variables. •A sampling plan (i.e., study population and sampling procedures, if appropriate). •Justification of case studies used. •Data collection/sources (secondary literature, archives, interviews, surveys, etc.). •a summary of analysis procedures (pattern-matching, etc.); and •Limitations of study and bias discussion.
Carroll, S. (n.d.). Anxious about dissertation statistics? You are not alone! Retrieved from http://www.dissertation-statistics.com/
Awkward wording!
Define your acronyms upon first use!
Avoid starting a sentence with an acronym.
Spell-out upon first use! You may have done so in the introduction. If so, ignore.
Avoid one sentence paragraphs.
Reduce your matching from 24% to 15% by paraphrasing instead of using direct quotes. See comments!
· A summary of the general state of the literature (cumulative knowledge base) on the specific research question/hypothesis/thesis statement: including researcher’s findings, how those findings were obtained, and evaluation of biases in the findings.
· A short conclusion and transition to the next section.
Unknonw Author
Unknown Author and Unknown Date: If no author or date is given, use the title in your signal phrase or the first word or two of the title in the parentheses and use the abbreviation "n.d." (for "no date").
Another study of students and research decisions discovered that students succeeded with tutoring ("Tutoring and APA," n.d.).
APA Checklist
Visit the Course Materials area of the course in the Lessons Area and review how to write your references in APA format to improve completing assignments using APA format in your courses.
Also see the Purdue OWL for more guidance: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/
Excellent preview of the paper!
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Remove hyperlink. When the web addresses turn blue and get underlined, right click them and “remove hyperlink.”
In reference area, ONLY capitalize the FIRST word, the word after a colon, and all proper names in the title of books, Web Pages, documents, and articles.
Italicize the name of books, journals, and magazines, but do NOT italicize the name of the article.
Italicize title of document retrieved from Nonperiodical Web Document, Web Page, or Report.
Nonperiodical Web Document, Web Page, or Report
List as much of the following information as possible (you sometimes have to hunt around to find the information; don't be lazy. If there is a page like http://www.somesite.com/somepage.htm, and somepage.htm doesn't have the information you're looking for, move up the URL to http://www.somesite.com/):
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of document. Retrieved from http://Web address
Angeli, E., Wagner, J., Lawrick, E., Moore, K., Anderson, M., Soderland, L., & Brizee, A. (2010, May 5). General format. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
NOTE: When an Internet document is more than one Web page, provide a URL that links to the home page or entry page for the document. Also, if there isn't a date available for the document use (n.d.) for no date.
See the Purdue OWL for more guidance: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/
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Summary or paraphrase
If you are paraphrasing an idea from another work, you only have to make reference to the author and year of publication in your in-text reference, but APA guidelines encourage you to also provide the page number (although it is not required.) For example,
According to Jones (1998), APA style is a difficult citation format for first-time learners. APA style is a difficult citation format for first-time learners (Jones, 1998, p. 199).
See the Purdue OWL for more guidance: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/
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Avoid one sentence paragraph in academic writing!
Place the period after the citation and not before unless it is a blocked quote.
A Work by Two Authors: Name both authors in the signal phrase or in the parentheses each time you cite the work. Use the word "and" between the authors' names within the text and use the ampersand in the parentheses.
1. Research by Wegener and Petty (1994) supports...
2. (Wegener & Petty, 1994)
See the Purdue OWL for more guidance: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/3/
Citing Indirect Sources
If you use a source that was cited in another source, name the original source in your signal phrase. List the secondary source in your reference list and include the secondary source in the parentheses.
Johnson argued that...(as cited in Smith, 2003, p. 102).
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Direct Quotes: must give page number. If no page numbers available, cite paragraph number using abbreviation para. (para. 4). If no page or paragraph numbers, cite heading and paragraph number where information found.
1. According to APA and Purdue OWL, if you are directly quoting from a work, you will need to include the author, year of publication, and the page number for the reference (preceded by "p."). Introduce the quotation with a signal phrase that includes the author's last name followed by the date of publication in parentheses.
According to Jones (1998), "Students often had difficulty using APA style, especially when it was their first time" (p. 199).
1. If the author is not named in a signal phrase, place the author's last name, the year of publication, and the page number in parentheses after the quotation.
She stated, "Students often had difficulty using APA style" (Jones, 1998, p. 199).
Also see the Purdue OWL for more guidance: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/
Use level 2 heading to address the Research Design Section:
· Outlined the method you selected to gather data to answer the research questions, and possible implications of resolving the research problem.
· Identified and operationalized (measurement) variables.
· Provided sampling plan (i.e., study population and sampling procedures, if appropriate) and justification.
· Provided data collection/sources (secondary literature, archives, interviews, surveys, etc.).
· Provided a summary of analysis procedures (pattern-matching, etc.).
· Provided the limitations of study and bias discussion.
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1. Use 3rd person point of view (unless opinion paper) avoiding pronouns such as I, we, my, our (1st person) and you, yours, your, us, we (2ndperson). Deal with facts, thus, providing citations within paper and reference page. Focus on subject; not feelings about the subject. The use of 3rd person retains a formal tone: Academic writing is more formal than casual conversation.
1. See the video or Purdue OWL for proper format.
1. Also list your keywords as outlined in the video and on the Purdue OWL.
1. Avoid awkward wording!
1. Conclude the introduction section of your paper by previewing in the paragraph the flow of the paper.
1. When referring to books, chapters, articles, or Web pages, capitalize only the first letter of the first word of a title and subtitle, the first word after a colon or a dash in the title, and proper nouns. Do not capitalize the first letter of the second word in a hyphenated compound word.
1. Sections of an APA paper: title page, abstract (might be optional – check with instructor), text of paper and reference page.
1. Double space entire paper/Use 1 inch margin/Text is to be left aligned.
1. Use 12 point font/ New Times Roman/black ink.
1. Same font throughout with the exception of italicizing: (1) key term to emphasize (2) titles of books, periodicals, films, videos, TV shows and microfilm publications (there are more in-depth examples in APA Manual section 4.21).
1. Numbers: 0-9 are written out while 10 and above are written as numbers (Exceptions: numbers expressing approximate lengths of time written as words ex: 1 hr 30 min; 12:30 a.m.; about 3 months ago).
1. Punctuation when ending a Quote: If quotation is at the end of a sentence, close quote with quotation marks, cite the source in parentheses, and end with a period or other punctuation outside the final parenthesis.
1. Avoid using “etc.” at the end of a list or exclamation point unless it is part of the quotation.
1. Ampersand: If the citation is in parentheses, use the ampersand ('&') instead of the word “and” in text of paper. Always use ampersand (&) in tables, captions and on reference page.
1. Use complete sentences and avoid slang. Use Spell Checker and proofread paper.
1. First sentence of a paragraph must be indented (with the exception of the Abstract).
1. Avoid using contractions (it’s = it is; won’t = will not).
1. Always spell out acronym on first use. Example: APU = American Public University.
1. Direct Quotes: must give page number. If no page numbers available, cite paragraph number using abbreviation para. (para. 4). If no page or paragraph numbers, cite heading and paragraph number where information found: (Discussion section, para. 2).
1. Spell out all authors’ first time reference is cited. Use et al. in further references (ex: Smith et al., 2009) (Exception: Six or more authors use et al. first time).
1. Quotes over 40 words must be indented and page number cited. Do not use quotation marks.
1. The reference page is the last page (unless appendix). Insert page break at end of text preventing distortion when edits are made.
1. Title of page: References (centered on page directly under the 1” margin). Do not underline, italicize or make bold.
1. Cite references in text of paper and include sources on reference page. PLEASE NOTE: Wikis (like Wikipedia) cannot guarantee the verifiability or expertise of entries, therefore, are not considered scholarly sources. DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA AS A SOURCE.
1. References are in alphabetical order by author(s) last name on the reference page; list last name, then first and middle initial (if applicable) only. If no author is provided, use the first character of the title.
1. When citing a book on the reference page, capitalize the first word of the title only (with the exception of proper names). Also, italicize the name of the book.
1. In reference area, capitalize the FIRST word, the word after a colon, and all proper names in the title of books and articles.
1. Italicize the name of books, journals, and magazines, but do NOT italicize the name of the article.
1. JOURNAL: APA style dictates that authors are named last name followed by initials; publication year goes between parentheses, followed by a period. The title of the article is in sentence-case, meaning only the first word and proper nouns in the title are capitalized. The periodical title is run in title case, and is followed by the volume number which, with the title, is also italicized. If a DOI has been assigned to the article that you are using, you should include this after the page numbers for the article. If no DOI has been assigned and you are accessing the periodical online, use the URL of the website from which you are retrieving the periodical.
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume number(issue number), pages. http://dx.doi.org/xx.xxx/yyyyy
Article in Journal Paginated by Volume
Journals that are paginated by volume begin with page one in issue one, and continue numbering issue two where issue one ended, etc.
Harlow, H. F. (1983). Fundamentals for preparing psychology journal articles. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 55 (5), 893-896.
Also see the Purdue OWL for more guidance: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/
1. Do not use the words Volume or Vol., Issue or Iss,. or Pages, p. or pp. on reference page.
1. The name of the journal and volume number are italicized. Pay attention to punctuation.
Remove hyperlink. When the web addresses turn blue and get underlined, right click them and “remove hyperlink”.
1. Citing a source within a source (secondary sources) example: In-text—Bennett (as cited in Rudman, 1999) defined…
Reference list: Rudman, R. (1999). Human resources management in New Zealand. (3rd ed.). Auckland, N.Z.:Addison Wesley Longman
1. Citing references on reference page: use the hanging indent. Highlight the citations and press Ctrl T automatically formats.
1. For electronic references, give the DOI, if assigned. DOI’s always begin with the number 10. Database names are no longer needed. If no DOI assigned, provide the URL of the journal or book publisher.
o Search for a DOI: Go to a free DOI lookup http://www.crossref.org/guestquery/ or http://www.crossref.org/SimpleTextQuery/
o Verifying a DOI: CrossRef.org and type in DOI (e.g., 10.1037/a0015859)
1. Cite all references in paper AND on reference page. If listed on reference page MUST have cited within paper.
1. No retrieval dates or database name needed on reference page.
Source:
Helpful APA Tips for Students (n.d.) Retrieved from https://edgetest.apus.edu/portal/site/b1ab5790-49c3-40e0-8b6e-08451f8e0d6d/page/432ae502-ee76-47e0-9e6d-af41c5f1a755
1. Cite references in text of paper and include sources on reference page. PLEASE NOTE: Wikis (like Wikipedia) cannot guarantee the verifiability or expertise of entries, therefore, are not considered scholarly sources. DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA AS A SOURCE.
2. References are in alphabetical order by author(s) last name on the reference page; list last name, then first and middle initial (if applicable) only. If no author is provided, use the first character of the title.
3. When citing a book on the reference page, capitalize the first word of the title only and the word after a colon (with the exception of proper names). Also, italicize the name of the book.
4. In reference area, capitalize the FIRST word, the word after a colon only, and all proper names in the title of books and articles.
5. Italicize the name of books, journals, and magazines, but do NOT italicize the name of the article.
6. Do not use the words Volume or Vol., Issue or Iss,. or Pages, p. or pp. on reference page.
7. The name of the journal and volume number are italicized. Pay attention to punctuation.
Remove hyperlink. When the web addresses turn blue and get underlined, right click them and “remove hyperlink.”
You may also consult these sites as well:
Son of Citation Machine
http://old.citationmachine.net/index2.php
APA Game Link: remember, this will only function correctly on a mobile device or a modern web browser. Here is the link: APA Game
