Assignment:
Literature Review and Variables
In support of the Capstone Research Project, complete a literature review and identify your research variables. Prior to completing this week's assignment watch the video Hypothesis 101 (and other Social Science concepts) (the discussion on variables begins at 4:40 and goes through 15:05) to understand the process for identifying variables and the relationship between the hypothesis and variables (transcript available here). Then read of Empirical Political Analysis.
Craft an original research hypothesis that will prove or disprove your research question approved in Week 1. This will be the focus of your research for the Capstone Research Project. You must clearly state your hypothesis in a standalone statement. You must further discuss the hypothesis and reasoning for the hypothesis in a follow-on paragraph. Be sure to address how the hypothesis is related to your research question. Then, for your selected research hypothesis, identify three research variables which you believe will answer, confirm, or refute your research hypothesis and answer your research question. Each of these research variables should be listed in a standalone statement (i.e., Research Variable #1: XXXXX). Be sure to determine if they are independent or dependent variables. Explain how your research variable relates to your hypothesis. Identify how each of the three research variables will be measured in order to confirm or deny your research hypothesis.
In the second part of your paper provide an annotated bibliography that accurately describes your literature review for the Capstone Research Project. Identify five of the eight required resources (scholarly, government, or professional resources), other than the course textbook, that you will use to research and evaluate your research variables and utilize to confirm or deny your research hypothesis. Remember, at least five of your resources for the Capstone Research Project must be found in the Ashford University Library. (Be sure to note those resources you found in the Ashford University Library.) For each of the resources identified, describe in two to three sentences how the resource supports your research.
The Literature Review and Variables paper
Must be two to three double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA styleas outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.