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Research Topic
The purpose of the study is rooted in Amos 3:3 question, "Can two walk together, except
they are agreed" (King et al., 1769/2017, Amos 3:3)? The research will review if partners are
unified in their perception of marriage vows and how premarital counselor's curriculum design is
modified to encourage unity (Thomas, 2015).
Statement of the Problem and Research Gap
Daily various traditional, denominational, and personalized marriage vows are uttered at
weddings by couples. Each partner speaks the vows from their perception. Since Creswell &
Poth (2018) present that research investigates a problem, this study will investigate each couple's
perception of marriage vows and its influence on the premarital counselors' curriculum
development and implementation (D'Aniello & Fife, 2020). In addition, this author's research
will also survey premarital counselors concerning marriage vow teachings individualization to
participants' perception of them and respond to support their understanding to affirm unity.
There appears to be a gap in premarital counselors' assessment of each partner's
perception of marriage vows and reports of how knowledge of their perception influences
counseling transformation (Clyde et al., 2020). For example, traditional wedding vows include
words such as richer, and poorer. These words are representative of the commitment made by the
partners. However, both parties perceptions of these words may differ (Wright, 1992). Often the
concept seems implied; however, the question of how poor must be investigated per participant
to grasp their perception. The need for this research proves evident as statistics suggest increased
marriage dissolutions representative of financial decline, employment woes, and other financial
issues (Clyde et al., 2020).
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Proposed Methodology Outline
Quantitative research can connect a numerical value to the identified research study gap
(Chali et al., 2022). The quantitative survey research method will provide a total of premarital
counselors engaging partners in specified marriage vow counseling that reflects and directs their
perception toward unity.
Description of the Study
The descriptive survey research approach is valuable for studying and answering what,
where, when, and how premarital counselors assess each partner's marriage vow perspective
(Chali et al., 2022). The data can then address perceptions specifically to provide a numerical
count of curriculum changes by premarital counselors to support unity (Chali et al., 2022).
Participants
The study participants include premarital counselors. The minimal requirement for each
participant is that the counselor must specialize or have over five years of premarital counseling
experience. The counselors must practice within Illinois Sangamon County. The counselors must
be currently practicing actively providing premarital counseling. There are no race, gender, or
age requirements. However, demographic information will be gathered for observation and
analysis. The participant requirements are necessary to support the validity and ethical
responsibility of the study. The participant criteria are necessary to answer the proposed research
questions best (Creswell & Poth, 2018).
Setting
Creswell & Poth (2018) speak about the ensuring the setting is appropriate for the best
outcome. Each premarital counselor participant will be contacted by phone to confirm
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DISSERTATION PROPOSAL DRAFT
participation and to confirm that participant criteria requirements are met. The participation will
be verified and confirmed prior to an email request for further participation. The survey will be
sent, via email, completed, and returned by the participant. Participants' premarital counseling
curriculum will also be requested for observation and review.
Research Design
The study will be conducted using the quantitative survey research design. This study
will be a randomized study. This study will be a heterogeneous sampling study. The study will be
descriptive (Chali et al., 2022).
The quantitative survey research design was chosen as it is best to define the population
and sample. The survey research is best to distribute and gather responses. The research design is
most appropriate to provide value to the research questions (Chali et al., 2022).
Research Question
Research Question 1. Describe your typical premarital counseling session conversation about
marriage vow perception. Please include the frequency of marriage vow discussion sessions
outlined in your teaching plan.
Research Question 2. Describe your conversation about inaccurate marriage vow perceptions.
Preliminary Hypothesis(es)
Hypothesis 1. The research will provide a numeric value to the number of counselors providing
premarital counseling, including discussion about marriage vows.
Hypothesis 2. The research can provide a numeric total of conversations that included inaccurate
marriage vow perceptions.
Instrumentation
The study will include a demographic questionnaire and an email survey questionnaire.
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DISSERTATION PROPOSAL DRAFT
Demographic questionnaire
This instrument will confirm each premarital counselor’s information, such as
age, gender, cultural background, education, and years of experience.
The study survey questionnaire
This instrument will include questions each premarital counselor will answer
and return for review and evaluation.
Procedure
Ten to 15 premarital counselors actively practicing in Illinois Sangamon
County will be contacted initially by phone to inquire about participation. If the
premarital counselor agrees to participate, a survey questionnaire will be sent to the
provided email. The participant will complete the questionnaire, answering all
questions with description and explanation. The participants will be requested to
provide their premarital counseling curriculum or instruction session agenda outline.
Upon completion of the survey, each participant will be contacted for debriefing
(Creswell & Poth, 2018).
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References
Chali, M. T., Eshete, S. K., & Debela, K. L. (2022). Learning How Research Design Methods
Work: A Review of Creswell's Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed
Methods Approaches. The Qualitative Report, 27(12), 2956-
2960. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2022.5901 Links to an external site.
Clyde, T. L., Hawkins, A. J., & Willoughby, B. J. (2020). Revising premarital relationship
Interventions for the next generation. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 46(1),
149–164. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12378 Links to an external site.
Clyde, T. L., Wikle, J. S., Hawkins, A. J., & James, S. L. (2020). The effects of premarital
Education promotion policies on US divorce rates. Psychology, Public Policy,
and Law, 26(1), 105–120. https://doi.org/10.1037/law0000218.supp (Supplemental).
Creswell, J. C. & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry & research design; Choosing
among five approaches. Sage Pub. Los Angeles.
D'Aniello, C., & Fife, S. T. (2020). A 20-year review of common factors research in marriage
and family therapy: A mixed method content analysis. Journal of Marital and Family
Therapy, 46(4), 701-718. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12427
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/(Original work published 1769).
Thomas, G. (2015). Sacred marriage: What if God designed marriage to make us holy more
