Question:
Prepare a research proposal for a correlational research study based on the following research topic:
Age and Job Satisfaction:
In your research proposal, you should:
a. Include a literature review of at least 5 academic research papers and/or published materials on the chosen topic;
b. Formulate the research questions and hypotheses;
c. Describe the measurement issues and propose appropriate sampling designs; as well as
d. Propose an appropriate research design for this correlational study.
Please include proper referencing for the research papers. Your submission should have a word count of not more than 1,500 words.
How to approach the assignment:
1. You should:
a. search for relevant journals articles and review the information relevant to the topic stated;
b. summarize or highlight some essential elements (e.g. the research problems, research methods, major findings, strengths and weaknesses) of these previous studies related to the topic stated and provide appropriate review of these studies in your literature review section.
2. You should use your creativity and analytical ability in identifying the gaps (i.e. "what else has not been done?") in your selected area of research, based on the insights collated from the literature review.
3. You should ensure that your research proposal covers your literature review, the definition of your research problem, your research objectives and the formulation of your research hypotheses. Identify the key variables and constructs and briefly describe how you intend to operationalise the constructs and how to ensure reliability and validity of your study. Identify your target population and sampling frame (if any) and suggest an appropriate sampling design for your proposed study. Justify your choice of sample and sampling technique(s).
4. You should justify why the research question that you have formulated is best studied though correlational research strategy (i.e. why not qualitative or other quantitative methods?). You should highlight the strengths and weaknesses of correlational research strategy.
The following article would serve as a good starting guide as part of your literature review:
MUST USE this JOURNAL!!!
Clark, A., Oswald, A., & Warr, P. (1996). Is job satisfaction U-shaped in age? Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 69(1), 57 - 81.