Signature Homework
Length: 8 pages.
In this Signature Homework, you will use what you have learned in this course to write a mini-research proposal for a quantitative study.
Begin by identifying a topic of interest that you might want to pursue research. You are not tied to this topic when you reach the dissertation sequence, but it should be a topic that you find interesting now and also relates to your program and specialization.
Assemble your proposal using the following format. Each section should use the provided heading.
Introduction
o Begin with an introduction and statement of the problem and purpose statements for this research endeavor. Use scholarly sources to support the need for this research. You may also conduct a replication study of an existing study in your specialization area.
Population and Sample
I. Describe the population, including the estimated size and relevant characteristics.
II. Explain why the population is appropriate, given the study problem, purpose, and research questions.
III. Describe the sample that will be obtained.
IV. Explain how the sampling guidelines that are associated with the chosen methodology and design will be followed. For quantitative studies, a power analysis must be reported to include the parameters (e.g., effect size, alpha, beta, number of groups) that were included, and evidence must be presented that the minimum required sample size will be reached.
V. Describe how the participants will be (proposal) or were (manuscript) recruited (e.g., email lists from professional organizations, flyers) and/or the data will be (proposal) or were (manuscript) obtained (e.g., archived data, public records) with sufficient detail that the study could be replicated.
Materials/Instrumentation
I. Describe the instruments (e.g., tests, questionnaires, observation protocols) that will be (proposal) or were (manuscript) used, including information on their origin and evidence of their reliability and validity.
II. For quantitative and mixed methods studies, identify how each variable will be used in the study. Use terminology that is appropriate for the selected statistical test (e.g., independent/dependent, predictor/criterion, mediator, moderator).
III. Base the operational definitions on published research and valid and reliable instruments.
IV. Identify the specific instrument that will be (proposal) or was (manuscript) used to measure each variable.
V. Describe the level of measurement of each variable (e.g., nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio), potential scores for each variable (e.g., the range [0-100] or levels [low, medium, high]), and data sources. If appropriate, identify what specific scores (e.g., subscale scores, total scores) will be (proposal) or were (manuscript) included in the analysis and how they will be (proposal) or were (manuscript) derived (e.g., calculating the sum, difference, average).
Data Collection and Analysis
I. Describe the strategies that will be used to code and/or analyze the data and any software that will be used.
II. Ensure that the data that will be collected and the analysis can be used to answer the research questions and/or test the hypotheses with the ultimate goal of addressing the identified problem.
III. Use proper terminology in association with each design/analysis (e.g., independent variable and dependent variable for an experimental design, predictor and criterion variables for regression).
IV. For quantitative studies, describe the analysis that will be used to test each hypothesis. Provide evidence that the statistical test that was chosen is appropriate to test the hypotheses and that the data meet the assumptions of the statistical tests.
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
i) The answer should be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.
ii) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
iii) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.