Proposal Homework

It should be written in a PICO format

1.5. Conceptual /Theoretical framework

1.6. Definition of Terms

2. Literature Review

3. Methods

3.1. Research Design

Specify the research design

3.2. Setting

Give brief descriptions about the study setting.

3.3. Study Population and Sampling

Describe the target population and characteristics of the subjects. Include the number of subjects using a power analysis, the rationale for sample size, the sampling frame, the sampling procedure, and Sample Criteria (Inclusion Criteria & Exclusion Criteria). Any vulnerable populations?

3.4. Procedure of Data Collection

Describe the procedure you are going to use for data collection. Specify the kinds of data you expect to obtain. Give details of subject selection and intervention (if one is involved). Be specific on how you will collect data. If you are going to have to do any training, piloting, or follow-up, be sure to include this. Is attrition an issue? Recruitment? Nonresponse?

3.5. Variables and their Measurement

3.5.1. Theoretical definition of each variable

3.5.2. Tool author, reliability, validity, and the permission to use the tool. If developing a new tool; explain the procedures for developing the new questionnaire, content validation steps and how it will be pilot tested. Include the instruments in the appendix.

3.6. Data Analysis

· Indicate briefly any analytic tools you will have available and expect to use (exp. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program)

· Specify the descriptive statistic will be used to describe the sample major variables.

· Specify the statistical test you will use (e.g.t-test, ANOVA, MANCOVA).

· Provide a well thought-out rationale for your decision to use this statistical test and its assumptions.

Example for writing this section:

Data will be managed by using SPSS software to store and analyze data. Double data entry, proper training for all research team members, checking SPSS graphs, and testing of the raw data variability will be used to assess for outliers and missing data. However, missing data could be managed by imputation or the Last Value Carried Forward (LVCF) depending on the significance of the missing data to the research questions (Trochim, 2007). For the first and the second research questions, the independent variable is (teaching method) measured at categorical level, and dependent variables measured at interval level (Likert scale) for the questionnaire and ratio level for the quiz. In addition, the dependent variables are measures at three time points; hence, RM- ANOVA will be used to assess the difference between and within the two groups at the different time points.

The assumptions of RM-ANOVA include that the dependent variables are normally distributed, that homogeneity of variance (equal groups) is present, that the Sphericity assumption is met (the measures will be correlated across subjects), that the independent variable (IV) is categorical, that the dependent variables (DV) are continuous level, and that groups are randomly assigned (Munro, 2001).

4. Ethical Consideration

Give brief descriptions about the study ethical process (Institutional Review Board-informed consent-the three principles of ethics).

5. The Budget (optional)

The proposed budget about ……… SR will be as following:

1. Data collection Instruments (print -out sheets, copies of thesis).

1. Data analysis (Statistical analysis).

1. Transportations.

1. Publication of research paper (ISI).

6. Gantt Chart

References (in a separate page)

· Follow APA 6th edition guidelines, see this link